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Novel solar cell architecture to reduce silver costs, improve voltage

Developed by a U.S.-based start-up, the new manufacturing process is claimed to reduce silver consumption and improve solar module performance by up to 3 W. It consists of connecting sub-cells in series within a single cell in order to increase the device voltage and without requiring cells to be physically broken and rewired. Georgia-based start-up…
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Standard Solar to build 24 MW community portfolio in Maryland

A total of nine projects will benefit more than 5,000 Maryland households through community solar subscriptions. OneEnergy Renewables, CleanChoice Energy, and Standard Solar plan to build nine community solar projects, with a total capacity of 24 MW, in Maryland. Development work has been completed, and four of the nine are ready for operation. The portfolio is…
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Enphase acquires EV charging company ClipperCreek

The deal clears a path for Enphase to enter the EV charging market and offer bi-directional charging or vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid applications. Enphase Energy agreed to acquire California-based ClipperCreek, which offers electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions for residential and commercial customers in the U.S. The move is anticipated to enable Enphase’s entry into the EV…
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Solar project now powers five New England colleges

The arrangement links colleges in a 20-year power purchase agreement that mirrors corporate-style renewable sourcing strategies. The 76.5 MW Farmington solar project in Maine has entered service, and will supply power to five New England colleges as part of a 20-year power purchase agreement. The New England College Renewable Partnership (NECRP) said the project led to capital…
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Soft drinks business wants to be biggest industrial solar user in Nigeria

An initial 1.44 MW of solar panels this year appears to have impressed the Seven-Up Bottling Company sufficiently to persuade the business to opt for another 10.5 MW of arrays on its factories. Nigerian soft drinks business Seven-Up Bottling Company is pitching to be the country’s largest industrial user of solar power by committing to install a…
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Isomer passivation for a 21.4% efficient perovskite module

An international team of scientists trialled a new approach to passivating defects in perovskite solar cells. Using a tailored arrangement of atoms, the team was able to overcome challenges related to the formation of a two-dimensional perovskite layer on top of the active cell material, and reach 21.4% conversion efficiency for a 26cm² active area,…
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Quantum dot solar window with 3.6% efficiency

U.S. manufacturer UbiQD has developed a solar window with laminated glass and luminescent solar concentrators, based on copper indium sulfide and zinc sulfide quantum dots. It is now testing pilot installations in Nevada. UbiQD, a U.S. manufacturer of luminescent glass panels, has deployed its quantum dot-tinted glass luminescent solar concentrator technology on several windows at…
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South Africa’s first solar wheeling project

In what is being described by its developer as a national first, a 10 MW solar plant in the Northern Cape will generate power for the local business of Amazon Web Services, with the solar electricity to be delivered via the grid operated by national utility Eskom. A 10 MW photovoltaic project developed by Cape Town based…
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Duracell launches 14 kWh battery for residential PV

The US battery manufacturer entered the stationary storage business with a new product for residential customers. The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is compatible with new or existing PV systems. US alkaline battery Duracell, a unit of US holding company Berkshire Hathaway, has entered the stationary storage market with a new product for residential customers – the…
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Lead-absorbing encapsulation for 18.5%-efficient mini perovskite solar module

The solar module has an area of 31.5cm2 and is relying on perovskite cells with an efficiency of 22.9%. It was encapsulated with a special ionogel that is claimed to enhance the module’s impact resistivity and stability, as well as to reduce the possibility of lead leakage. A Chinese-U.S. research group has fabricated a mini perovskite…
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