Silicon solar cells

A new, non-destructive technique has been proposed by researchers who say identifying early-stage discoloration in EVA encapsulants can help detect degradation in solar panels before power output is affected. The IIT Bombay group used an ultraviolet accelerated aging test during 34 days on three encapsulant samples.

Bids are invited for supply of multi-crystalline solar modules, with peak power output of minimum 325 Wp each, to different substations in various districts of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Bidding closes on March 5.

Although cells lose much of their power yield when submerged, they may not be useless. Researchers in India say submerged cells could be used in monitoring sensors and for other commercial and defense applications. An amorphous silicon cell from Panasonic was tested in their study.

The state-owned engineer has specified the dimensions of the devices required and the bid window will close on Friday.

Researchers from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have created flexible solar cells made of crystalline silicon. They claim to have stretched a crystalline silicon cell’s surface by around 95% while maintaining conversion efficiency of around 19%.

Only Indian manufacturers are eligible to bid for supply of 4.5W, 4.6W and 4.67W multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Quantities to be supplied are 500,000, 500,000 and 300,000, respectively. Bidding closes on January 6.

Global bids are invited for manufacturing and supply of multicrystalline PV modules with peak power output of minimum 330 Wp, for the state-owned engineering major’s projects in Gujarat. Bidding closes on December 11.

An Indian Institute of Technology research team analyzed around 300 studies about PV panel waste containing carcinogenic metals. The researchers said solar module recycling is not economically profitable and policy support is necessary to avoid panels being dumped in landfill.

The crystalline solar cells and modules manufacturer—which has 200 MW of cell line and 250 MW of module line capacity—has secured orders equal to full production capacity for both cells and modules till March 2020.

December 5 is the last date to submit proposals for the joint research program on advanced materials for next-generation solar energy utilization and energy storage that will sponsor around 10 projects. The maximum funding available for all research projects approved is Rs40 million for the Indian side and 4,000,000 NIS for the Israeli side, for a period of two years.