Common misconceptions about residential PV
More and more people want to invest in PV arrays and battery storage systems. However, there are a number of myths that could lead to disappointment among customers, according to one German consumer association.
Agrivoltaics market valued at $9.3 billion
The global agrivoltaics market is pegged at a 10.1% annual growth rate, according to a research note by Allied Analytics.
Fraunhofer ISE, Viessmann develop multi-source residential heat pump
Fraunhofer ISE has presented the results of retrofit heat pump installations in multi-family homes in Germany. One demonstrator featured rooftop solar PV and a multi-source heat pump developed in partnership with Viessmann. It uses air and geothermal as heat sources.
Study shows symbiotic effect of heat pumps and residential solar
SolarPower Europe says in a new report that households in Germany, Spain, and Italy can more than triple their savings by pairing PV with heat pumps. It said this combination helped families to save between 62% and 84% on their annual energy bills in 2022.
PV product prices resume downward trend, says TrendForce
TrendForce says polysilicon will be 3.2% cheaper in March than in February. This will lead to lower wafer, cell and module prices and will effectively spur installation demand.
TOPCon shingle solar cell achieves 22.0% efficiency via thermal laser separation
Scientists from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE and US panel maker Solaria have applied thermal laser separation and post-metallization passivated edge technology to tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cell production. They have developed shingle PV devices that are more efficient than cells built with conventional laser scribing and mechanical cleaving methods.
Guide to understanding solar production losses
Aurora Solar offers guidelines to make the most of a solar installation by avoiding losses.
Perovskite alkylammonium chloride solar cell achieves 26.08% efficiency
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has certified that a South Korean research team has achieved a 25.73% efficiency rating with a perovskite PV cell based on alkylammonium chlorides. The champion device built by the scientists reached an efficiency of 26.08%.
Plastic strip to prevent birds from nesting under rooftop solar
Netherlands-based BirdBlocker has developed a plastic strip that can be placed under solar panels installed on pitched rooftops. The long needles prevent birds from nesting under the modules. The structure is attached to the frame of the modules with stainless steel clips.
New thermal battery offers fast, efficient performance at low cost
US engineers have built a scalable thermal energy storage prototype system that combines the best latent and sensible heat transfers. The technology, which is now market-ready after three years of testing, consists of engineered cementitious materials and thermosiphons in a combination that enables fast, efficient thermal performance at low cost.
