– PV Module Reliability Scorecard 2020
PPV Evolution Labs (PVEL) solar module scorecard: In a rush to innovate, some manufacturers ‘overlooked basic quality control’ PV Evolution Labs (PVEL), a test lab for the downstream solar market, just published its PV Module Reliability Scorecard. The lab notes the high level of innovation in the solar module industry and namechecks the market’s reliability […]
– Used EV batteries for large scale solar energy storage
Used EV batteries for large scale solar energy storage MIT scientists have suggested used electric vehicle batteries could offer a more viable business case than purpose-built systems for the storage of grid scale solar power in California. Such ‘second life’ EV batteries, may cost only 60% of their original purchase price to deploy and can […]
– Sharp unveils black, half-cut-cell module
Sharp unveils black, half-cut-cell module The solar panel will be part of the half-cut-cell series recently launched by the Japanese manufacturer and the company claims it is ideal for rooftop PV projects with aesthetic requirements. The 19.0%-efficient product has a power output of 320 W. Japanese electronics brand Sharp has launched a black, half-cut-cell, PERC, […]
– Colored PV module performance is underestimated
Colored PV module performance is underestimated In a recent conversation with pv magazine Roland Valckenborg, business developer and project manager at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), has described the results of a multi-year testing program for colored BIPV modules. Just a few years ago, it it was thought that power yield could […]
– Harvesting atmospheric water to cool down PV panels
Harvesting atmospheric water to cool down PV panels Scientists from Saudi Arabia have proposed a new PV panel cooling technique which employs an atmospheric water harvester. The device uses waste heat from the PV panel to collect atmospheric water at night and then releases it during the day to cool down the module. The researchers […]
– Toledo Solar: New CdTe panel manufacturer
New CdTe panel manufacturer U.S.-based Toledo Solar is trying to distinguish itself from First Solar’s cadmium telluride dominance by operating in the residential and commercial segments, which have long been unkind to the technology. American manufacturing of thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels has been the sole domain of First Solar for the last decade […]
