Technology

Bengaluru-based Hind High Vacuum (HHV) has designed and built a directional solidification (DSS) furnace to produce polycrystalline silicon ingots in the solar industry.

Green hydrogen holds the potential to decarbonize critical sectors and provide clean energy solutions. However, it accounts for less than 1% of global hydrogen production. Targeted interventions are required to facilitate a smooth transition toward a green hydrogen economy.

Industry body India Hydrogen Alliance has submitted a plan to the government to build five large national green hydrogen corporations with a collective enterprise value of $5 billion by 2030. The plan shows public finance support, in the form of CAPEX and offtake incentives for National Green H2 Hubs, is crucial for creating financially viable green hydrogen infrastructure, especially in the initial 2024-30 period.

A research group from Ireland developed a PVT system consisting of a 170 W photovoltaic panel connected to a water tank placed at the backside of the PV module itself. The PVT module is able to considerably reduce the temperature of the PV unit while producing hot water for residential use.

Bangladesh has introduced tax exemptions to reduce water production costs and promote the use of solar power in 19 coastal districts. This initiative comes in response to grid electricity shortages caused by a decline in coal and fuel imports. The goal is to enhance reliance on solar-powered water desalination in these areas.

US-based Salgenx says it has successfully integrated ultracapacitors with its saltwater redox flow batteries, resulting in significantly better power response and system performance.

Researchers in Morocco have carried out an experimental investigation which has confirmed that even in hot desert climates, the wind has a positive effect on reducing the PV module temperature, improving the electrical production as well as the conversion efficiency.

Scientists in the United Kingdom have proposed using orbiting solar reflectors to enhance the electricity yield of terrestrial solar power plants. They claim this new technology may be particularly beneficial for improving generation at dusk and dawn, when irradiance is lower.

Sunfolding’s new TopoTrack rows are reportedly 10 times shorter than traditional trackers, and they can provide 20 degrees of variation between trackers, thus improving slope tolerance between rows.

US-based Ecoflow has announced the commercialization of a balcony solar device with a portable power station for residential applications.