Tag Archive for: photovoltaic

The Intertubes lit up today with news of a new, 190% efficient solar cell that could finally send fossil fuels packing once and for all.

A new dawn for solar cells: 190% quantum efficiency is possible

The Intertubes lit up today with news of a new, 190% efficient solar cell that could finally send fossil fuels packing once and for all. The research is still in the proof-of-concept stage, but other solar cells that shoot past the 100% mark are already in development, so anything is possible. However, if you’re thinking this blows the Shockley-Queisser theoretical limit to bits, well, guess again.

Solar cells can shoot past 100% efficiency, depending on what that means

The Shockley-Queisser limit refers to the ability of solar cells to convert sunlight to electricity. The theory emerged in the 1960s to describe the upper limit of basic silicon photovoltaic technology. The initial limit was determined to be 30%, later revised upward to 33.7%.

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Source: Clean Technica

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Researchers in Italy have conducted a series of experiments to assess the quality of wheat growing under elevated agrivoltaic systems.

Wheat grows better in agrivoltaic facilities

Researchers in Italy have conducted a series of experiments to assess the quality of wheat growing under elevated agrivoltaic systems. The have found that it has greater nutritional value for livestock.

The CNR Institute for Bioeconomy, the University of Florence, and Italian agrivoltaic specialist REM Tec srl conducted the study on 11.4 hectares of wheat in Borgo Virgilio, in the province of Mantua. The system featured 7,680 Bisol panels and 768 trackers at a height of 4.5 meters, for total PV coverage of 1.3 hectares.

The team used three sections of 12 meters x 12 meters with photovoltaic coverage with a ground coverage ratio (GCR) of 13% and three sections of 144 m2 with a GCR of 41%. They also used three as reference sections with similar characteristics, but without panels and shading structures.

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Source: PV Magazine

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The Cantine Vaccaro vineyard lives in perfect harmony with photovoltaic panels, a part of the “Agrivoltaico Open Labs” initiative in Italy.

Sicily produces photovoltaic energy and good wine together

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In Salaparuta, the Cantine Vaccaro vineyard lives in perfect harmony with photovoltaic panels. The installation is part of the “Agrivoltaico Open Labs” initiative, a series of open-air innovation laboratories where we test the integration of solar energy production, agriculture and biodiversity protection.

What does good wine have to do with renewable electricity? The answer is a lot, and this is thanks to the Sun. Indeed, its light and heat play a key role in the life cycle of the vineyard and the ripening of grapes. The Sun’s rays contribute to chlorophyll photosynthesis by making plants grow, while at the same time they are a key resource for generating electricity, thanks to photovoltaic panels that can capture solar energy.

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Source: REVE

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First Solar is spending $450M to establish a research and development center focused on the production of thin film photovoltaic modules.

First Solar invests $450M into thin film PV module R&D

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First Solar is investing $450 million in a new research and development center in an already-existing manufacturing facility. This research will be focused on creation and development of environmentally friendly and high-performing thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules for semiconductors.

“The company’s two existing facilities in Perrysburg and Lake Township comprise the largest vertically-integrated complex of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. They will now expand by 0.9 gigawatts (GWDC).” – WTOL11, October 27, 2022

“Designed and developed at its R&D centers in California and Ohio, First Solar’s advanced thin film PV modules set industry benchmarks for quality, durability, reliability, design, and environmental performance. The modules have the lowest carbon and water footprint of any commercially available PV technology today. Each module features a layer of Cadmium Telluride (CadTel) semiconductor that is only three percent the thickness of a human hair. Additionally, the company continues to optimize the amount of semiconductor material used by enhancing its vapor deposition process through continued investment in R&D focused on more efficient module technology with a thinner semiconductor layer. First Solar also operates an advanced recycling program that provides closed-loop semiconductor recovery for use in new modules.” – First Solar, October 27, 2022

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Source: American Progress

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A French town is installing a canopy of solar panels over its cemetery that will distribute energy to local residents.

‘A beautiful idea’: This French town is making its cemetery a source of solar energy

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A French town is installing a canopy of solar panels over its cemetery that will distribute energy to local residents.

The idea didn’t start with solar. Saint-Joachim is located in the middle of the Brière marsh – a vast peat bog north of the Loire estuary.

When it outgrew its churchyard cemetery in 1970, a new graveyard was created to the east of the town’s main island, a drop from six to zero metres above sea level.

Upsettingly for families with loved ones buried there, that means the cemetery often floods in winter. Draining the ground would be a constant battle with the wetland, so Saint-Joachim’s mayor proposed covering the site to stop it from filling up with rainwater.

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Source: Euro News

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Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in Europe projected to spike by 50 TWh in 2024, surpassing other generation sources.

Europe set for 50 TWh solar power boom in 2024

Despite a record-breaking 60 gigawatts direct current (GWDC) of solar PV capacity expansion in 2023, solar power generation in Europe saw a modest increase of about 20%. This year, however, will be another story.

Rystad Energy forecasts solar photovoltaic (PV) energy will spike by about 50 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024 – growing for the first time more than any other generation source – due to major capacity installations across the region, with Germany leading the way. Wind power generation is also expected to increase in 2024. However, the growth rate will not match the last one seen in 2023, when wind energy output increased by 50 TWh thanks to additional capacity installations and a windier year, particularly in the last quarter.

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Source: OilPrice

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CAG has commenced work on installing solar panels, and once completed, it will become Singapore’s largest single-site solar PV system.

Changi starts work on country’s largest solar photovoltaic system

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has commenced work on installing solar panels on its buildings, and once completed by 2025 it will become Singapore’s largest single-site solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Designed, owned and operated by Keppel Ltd for a period of 25 years.

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Source: Aviation Week

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Pasadena Water & Power is seeking authorization from the City Council for a 20-year power sales contract for solar+battery energy storage.

Pasadena Water and Power seeks approval for 20-year, $500M solar energy contract

Pasadena Water and Power is seeking authorization from the City Council to enter into a 20-year power sales contract with Southern California Public Power Authority for solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage.

The proposed contract, which will be discussed during the Pasadena City Council’s Municipal Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, would cost an amount not-to-exceed $512.05 million, a PWP memo showed.

The recommendation is part of PWP’s efforts to transition towards sustainable energy sources and meet ambitious decarbonization goals. The proposed contract aims to source renewable energy from the Bonanza Solar project, operated by Bonanza Solar, LLC, located in Clark County, Nevada.

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Source: Pasadena Now

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The BLM is seeking public comment on new project in eastern Riverside County that could generate and store up to 117MW of pv solar energy.

BLM welcomes input on proposed Sapphire Project in California

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The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on new solar energy work in eastern Riverside County. If approved, the Sapphire Project could generate and store up to 117 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy and deliver renewable electricity to the statewide transmission grid.

The project would include approximately 41 acres of public lands for access roads, facilities, and lines to transmit the power. The planned solar panel arrays, battery energy storage, and related facilities would sit on about 1,082 acres of adjoining private land.

“Clean energy remains a BLM top priority,” said California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch.  “BLM-managed public lands offer a tremendous opportunity to advance solar technology, and we value public input in the process.”

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Source: BLM.gov

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The SEIA and Wood Mackenzie research group said the US solar sector is expected to add a record 33 GW of new generation capacity in 2023.

US adds 33GW of new solar capacity in 2023

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A new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Wood Mackenzie research group said the U.S. solar sector is expected to add a record 33 GW of new generation capacity in 2023, a 55% increase from 2022.

The groups said that even with growth expected to slow over the next year due to economic and interconnection challenges, solar energy is expected to be the largest source of generating capacity on the U.S. power grid by 2050. The report released Dec. 7 said that government policies supporting solar power are among the reasons for the industry’s rise.

“Solar remains the fastest-growing energy source in the United States, and despite a difficult economic environment, this growth is expected to continue for years to come,” said SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. “To maintain this forecasted growth, we must modernize regulations and reduce bureaucratic roadblocks to make it easier for clean energy companies to invest capital and create jobs.”

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Source: POWER

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