RE+ 2024: Key takeaways on the U.S. solar industry
The 4.9 earthquake that shook Anaheim on the last day of RE+ 2024 did little to rattle the enthusiasm seen and felt at the largest energy conference in North America.
Gautam Solar to set up 2 GW PV cell manufacturing facility
Gautam Solar plans to establish a 2 GW PV cell manufacturing plant with an estimated investment of INR 1,000 crore.
Hindalco mulling solar panel manufacturing
Hindalco, a mining and metals arm of Aditya Birla Group, plans solar panel manufacturing leveraging its capabilities in metal production. The company has reportedly identified Mundra (Gujarat) as the location for its manufacturing facility.
INA Solar breaks ground on 3 GW panel factory in Rajasthan
Insolation Energy (INA Solar) is building a 3 GW PV module manufacturing facility along with 12,000 mtpa aluminium frame plant in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan.
India’s stored potential
Renewable Energy Expo India (REI) returns to Greater Noida at the start of October, for what will be its 17th edition. For the second year running, The Battery Show India will run concurrently with REI. pv magazine had the chance to catch up with Julian Thomas, Senior Project Director at show organizer Informa Markets, to discuss why electric vehicles and energy storage are now the key to India’s energy transition.
Longi achieves 34.6% efficiency for two-terminal tandem perovskite solar cell prototype
In a paper published in nature, the Chinese module maker explained that the 33.9%-efficient tandem device it unveiled in December 2023 is based on a bilayer intertwined passivation strategy that combines efficient electron extraction with further suppression of nonradiative recombination. It also revealed that its two-terminal tandem prototype devices achieved an efficiency of 34.6%.
Scientists design all-back-contact transparent solar cell
A research team from South Korea’s Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology (UNIST) has designed a wire-free transparent solar cell and module with all electrical contacts placed on the rear side. A 16 cm² module achieved a power conversion efficiency of 14.7% and successfully charged a smartphone using natural sunlight.
Silfab launches 640 W utility-scale solar panels
The Canada-based manufacturer said its new panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.29% per C and an efficiency of up to 22.92%. They come with a 30-year power output guarantee for 89.3% of the initial yield.
Italy’s first agrivoltaic tenders draws bids for 1.7 GW
Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) says it has received 643 bids totaling 1.7 GW in its first agrivoltaic tender. About 56% of the proposals have come from the country’s sunny southern regions.
Increasing potential of silicon clathrate films for photovoltaics
Researchers led by scientists from CNRS in France are exploring an exotic form of silicon called silicon clathrate as a material for energy applications, including photovoltaics. Mastering the synthesis and using appropriate characterizations are key elements towards potential applications. Significant progress is being made for the fabrication of functional devices.
