Sunova Solar releases 575 W n-type PV panel with 22.2% efficiency
Sunova Solar is offering five versions of its new solar panels, with power outputs from 555 W to 575 W and efficiencies ranging from 21.4% to 22.2%. They have a temperature coefficient of -0.31% per degree Celsius.
Floating PV for water pumping, desalination
An irrigation community has built a 786 kW floating solar array on a small water reservoir in Murcia, Spain. The facility will provide power for a solar water pumping system, a desalination unit, and the community itself.
NREL updates interactive chart of solar cell efficiency
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a new, interactive version of its research cell efficiency chart for a range of PV technologies.
Longi claims world’s highest efficiency for silicon solar cells
Longi said it has achieved a 26.81% efficiency rating for an unspecified heterojunction solar cell, as confirmed by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH).
NTPC seeks 461 MW of solar modules for Shajapur PV projects
NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NTPC REL) has invited bids from manufacturers to supply a cumulative 460.55 MW DC capacity of crystalline PV modules for its Shajapur solar projects in Madhya Pradesh. The modules must be rated a minimum of 530 Wp each. Bidders have until Dec. 19 to lodge their interest.
Elusive longevity
The expected lifetime of PV inverters is significantly shorter than that of modules. In many projects, inverter replacement is included in financial calculations from the start, despite the high costs. Research is being conducted into the causes of faults to develop more durable inverters and components. But plant design can already improve the lifespan of inverters in use today, reports pv magazine Germany’s Marian Willuhn.
Applications open for incentives under second phase of solar PLI Scheme
The Solar Energy Corp. of India Ltd (SECI) has started accepting applications from solar manufacturers under the second phase of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme with an outlay of INR 19,500 crore ($2.4 billion).
Polycab unveils grid-tie string solar inverters
Polycab has unveiled compact-size, light-weight grid-tie string solar inverters with power ranging from 1 to 5 kW, a maximum efficiency of 98.1%, and total harmonic distortion below 1.5%.
Novel soiling loss measurement system for PV installations
An international research group has developed new technology to measure soiling losses in PV installations, by using a simple pocket light. They said the new system offers similar performance to their reference devices.
Roadmap to achieve CIGS solar modules with efficiencies above 20%
Japanese scientists have described the steps that need to be taken to improve the average efficiency of CIGS solar modules, from around 18.5% at present to more than 20%. They presented all of the critical technical factors that are currently holding the tech back from broader market adoption.
