Test & Measurement
IBM Develops Economical Sunflower CPV System
29 April 2013POSTED IN Research
IBM’s solar concentrator system — called an economical High Concentration PhotoVoltaic Thermal (HCPVT) system — could revolutionise solar energy. Mounted on innovative concrete solar trackers, the sunflower-inspired parabolic dish uses a multitude of mirror facets to concentrate sunlight onto several microchannel-liquid cooled receivers with photovoltaic converter chips. Scientists are hoping to develop an affordable photovoltaic system that can collect and convert 75–80% of the incoming solar radiation into energy.
Sharp Achieves 37.9% Solar Cell Conversion Efficiency
26 April 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Sharp Corporation has achieved solar cell conversion efficiency*1 of 37.9%*2 using a triple-junction compound solar cell in which three photo-absorption layers are stacked together.
Update on Value of Concentrated Solar Power
24 April 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have calibrated the significant value that concentrating solar power (CSP) plants can add to an electric grid.
NREL's Initiative to Build Solar Performance Database
09 April 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
The US Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched an initiative to build an open-source database of real-world performance from solar facilities across the country. As part of DOE's SunShot Initiative, the Open Solar Performance and Reliability Clearinghouse (O-SPaRC) will give the private market tools to develop investment vehicles to tap low-cost public capital.
Field Testing Solar Survivor, Portable Solar Power Generator
06 April 2013POSTED IN Applications News
IDS Solar Technologies, Inc. reported more positive results from field testing of the Solar Survivor, the Company's first portable solar power generator. With a 1200 watt inverter, 12 volt battery and 45 watt solar panel, the Solar Survivor is an entry level unit designed for small devices and hand tools.
TÜV Rheinland Appoints Gary Sorkin as Smart Grid Business Development Manager
03 April 2013POSTED IN Business News
TÜV Rheinland has named Gary Sorkin Smart Grid Business Development Manager. In his new role, Sorkin will provide support to the company’s Electrical Group drawing on more than two decades of his data communications experience. Sorkin is based in the Pleasanton, California (US), office, which also houses a Smart Grid Test Laboratory.
IXYS Colorado's PDG-2500 Digital Pulse Generator
28 March 2013POSTED IN New Products
IXYS Colorado announced the release the PDG-2500 Handheld +5V Digital Pulse Generator.
Solar Simulator for CPV Modules
20 March 2013POSTED IN Applications News
After nearly two years of research, experts from TÜV Rheinland in Cologne, Germany, and TÜV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory (PTL) in Tempe, Ariz., have developed a new solar simulator for characterizing concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) modules. The new simulator allows for more precise comparison measurements on CPV modules designed for commercial use because it generates and maintains the standard temperature condition of 77ºF (25ºC) under the laboratory conditions.
Neutron Scattering Technique May Increase Thin-Film Solar Efficiency
11 March 2013POSTED IN Research
Engineers and scientists from the University of Sheffield, UK, have pioneered a new technique — called SERGIS — to measure the structure of PCBM crystallites (a fullerene derivative of the C60 buckyball) in thin-film solar cell materials, which will ultimately help to make the cells more efficient.
Comet Solar Uses Seaward Solar's PV150 Test Kit in Caribbean
07 March 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Seaward Solar photovoltaic (PV) test instrumentation is helping Comet Solar, a Caribbean-based reseller and installer of solar PV and thermal systems, to verify the quality of PV modules and the performance of installations.
First Solar Acquires Solar Chile
09 January 2013POSTED IN Business News
First Solar and Fundación Chile today announced that First Solar has acquired Solar Chile, a Santiago-based solar development company in which Fundación Chile was an early investor.
Eurener Announces Clear Solar PV Module
07 January 2013POSTED IN New Products
Spanish PV module manufacturer Eurener has announced a clear solar module that the company says will improve architectural integration for solar installations.
Southern Solar Uses Multi-Function Electrical Tester on School Installation
03 January 2013POSTED IN Applications News
The UK’s Southern Solar has used the new Seaward Solar PV150 hand-help electrical tester to install a 37kWp solar PV system at Bartholomew School in Eynsham, near Oxford.
Flux Power Releases 24V Mobile Lithium Storage
18 December 2012POSTED IN New Products
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of durable, scalable and affordable advanced energy storage systems, today announced that it has enhanced its product portfolio with the addition of a 24-volt (V), portable lithium (Li) storage solution. The modular packaging, real-time monitoring and rapid recharging capability make it a suitable solution for environments that require mobile or versatile energy solutions and demand large capacity output. These new mobile Li storage units can be used in solar, wind, telecommunications and peak-shaving applications, though initial applications will be as mobile gas or diesel generator replacements. Flux Power is currently working with another solutions provider to deliver an innovative alternative to gas and diesel generators used in power applications for lighting and staging equipment.
Suntech, SunSystem Sign Romanian 25MW Agreement
13 December 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Solar panel producer Suntech Power Holdings and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company SunSystem have signed a contract for Suntech to supply 25MW of polycrystalline solar panels. The Suntech solar panels will power two new photovoltaic projects under construction in Romania that will be grid connected by the end of 2013.
Natcore to Produce Second AR-Box Solar Cell Processing Station
05 December 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Natcore Technology has commissioned the construction of an upgraded AR-Box solar cell processing station that will include black silicon capability.
SMA Releases Online Version of Sunny Design
05 December 2012POSTED IN New Products
SMA has launched a new web version of its Sunny Design software for installers and solar professionals, the company has announced.
Sunny Design Web offers the same features as the desktop software and includes additional enhancements in a free (with registration) web format.
Silevo Achieves 22% Solar Cell Efficiency
29 November 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Silevo, Inc., a solar cell innovator and photovoltaic (PV) solar module manufacturer, today announced that its proprietary tunneling junction cell architecture has achieved 22.1 percent cell conversion efficiency, as measured by Sandia National Laboratories with Silevo’s production materials and full-size substrates. This measurement validates that Silevo’s Triex® PV modules demonstrate one of the highest energy densities in the industry. Moreover, it validates Silevo’s roadmap and plan to achieve 24 percent conversion efficiency in mass production over the next few years.
Students Build Mobile Solar Power System
28 November 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Students from the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering have designed and built a mobile solar power system aimed to provide clean energy everywhere from on-campus concerts to national parks or forests where scientists are conducting fieldwork.
The mobile solar power system, an alternative to a diesel- or gasoline-powered generator, is an 18-foot trailer with six solar panels, a wind turbine and eight rechargeable batteries, each of which is several times larger than a car battery, which store the energy for use when there is no sunlight.
Enel Green Power Finances Italian Solar Projects
28 November 2012POSTED IN Business News
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Enel Green Power (EGP) have signed a EUR 160 million loan for financing the four-year plan of the Enel Group company concerned with renewable and alternative energy sources.
