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Dutch Consortium Seeks To Reduce Costs Of Hole Transport Layers For Perovskite Solar Cells
PV Magazine
Dutch Consortium Seeks To Reduce Costs Of Hole Transport Layers For Perovskite Solar CellsTwo Dutch manufacturers have teamed with perovskite solar cell experts at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) to integrate spatial atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a roll-to-roll process. They will use the deposition process to fabricate ultra-thin, high-quality nickel-oxide (NiOx) hole transport layers (HTLs). “The project aims to develop a spatial atomic layer deposition (sALD) process for producing the NiOx layer on a near-pilot scale, suitable for roll-to-roll production of PSCs,” Harald Kerp, senior business developer at TNO, told pv magazine. The Netherlands-based effort uses ALD equipment made by Kalpana Systems. The third partner in the project is Hyet Solar, a thin film solar manufacturer with a roll-to-roll production line featuring atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) equipment. The project aims to apply an ultra-thin film of NiOx to the perovskite stack of the Hyet Solar product using Kalpana's hardware with industry-compatible throughput and efficiency levels. The team notes that the HTL is “crucial” for perovskite solar cell stability, affordability, and power productivity, but current organic HTLs are “costly and unstable.” Precision and speed are crucial for commercial viability, as they “ensure both the quality and cost-effectiveness needed for large-scale production of perovskite solar cells,” stressed the team. The initiative, known as Perovision Project, runs from February 2025 to January 2027, targeting integration into Hyet Solar's production line by mid-2027 and full-scale production by 2030. Hyet Solar, founded in 2012, has been focused in the past on amorphous silicon rooftop solar PV and building integrated PV products, branded Powerfoil. It recently attracted financing from institutional investors in 2023, raising €29 million, a combination of debt and venture financing. Kalpana also recently raised venture capital in a €3.5 million round.   This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 13, 2025
India’S Mnre Says Imported Silicon Wafers Do Not Meet Domestic Pv Criteria
PV Magazine
India’S Mnre Says Imported Silicon Wafers Do Not Meet Domestic Pv CriteriaFrom pv magazine India India’s MNRE clarified that solar cells made with imported diffused silicon wafers, commonly known as “blue wafers,” do not meet the domestic manufacturing requirements for government schemes that mandate the use of locally produced PV cells. State programs like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, PM KUSUM, and CPSU Phase II require modules to meet domestic content requirements, meaning they must be made in India using domestically manufactured cells. The MNRE stated that a crystalline-silicon solar cell will be considered domestically manufactured only if it is produced in India using undiffused silicon wafers (black wafers), classified under Customs Tariff Head 3818, and if all manufacturing processes are carried out in India. The MNRE also said that thin-film PV modules produced in integrated factories in India are eligible for deployment under schemes requiring domestically manufactured PV modules. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 13, 2025
Solar Panel Glare Temporarily Cancels Air Traffic At Amsterdam Airport
PV Magazine
Solar Panel Glare Temporarily Cancels Air Traffic At Amsterdam AirportFrom pv magazine Spain On March 4, the Polderbaan Runway at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, has been closed to incoming traffic between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in sunny weather due to the glare caused by solar panels located under the approach path. While located outside the landing area, the PV installations hinder pilots' visibility when the sun is shining. “The position of the sun means that this effect occurs in the morning,” Schiphol Airport's Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) stated, adding that pilots have made several recent reports on the matter. “Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), KLM, easyJet and Schiphol, brought together under the Integral Safety Management System (ISMS), are compelled to take this measure in order to guarantee air traffic safety,” it added. Since then, weather forecasts have been used daily to assess whether or not to use the Polderbaan Runway, as failure to do so impacts noise levels around Schiphol, and landing traffic will make more frequent use of the Zwanenburgbaan and Buitenveldertbaan runways. Aviation industry representatives have held prior consultations with the municipality of Haarlemmermeer regarding the installation of solar panels near Schiphol and have indicated that the use of special glass (deep-textured glass), which absorbs sunlight rather than reflecting it, is necessary for flight safety. “The municipality of Haarlemmermeer and the owner of the solar park are working hard, in consultation with the aviation industry, to find a structural solution,” the airport concluded. Solar modules typically have an anti-reflective coating. However, according to Phytonics, a technology company based in Karlsruhe, Germany, it is not enough to prevent solar module glare. Typically, anti-reflective coating only serves to increase module performance. Phytonics has developed a self-adhesive film designed to reduce the glare effect of modules as much as necessary. It features special bionic microstructures, ensuring that even very flat incident light is efficiently coupled, the company explains. This not only makes modules glare-free but also increases their performance during off-peak hours. Image: Phytonics According to Phytonics, the film is made exclusively from materials that have already proven their long-term stability over many years of outdoor use. Therefore, the film is resistant to influences such as UV radiation, humidity, heat and hail. The film can now be ordered directly from the company in rolls or sheets. Initially, the film will be available for €70 ($76) per module. The future price evolution will depend on several factors, the company says. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 13, 2025
Africa’S Solar Capacity Forecast To Double Over Next Four Years
PV Magazine
Africa’S Solar Capacity Forecast To Double Over Next Four YearsAfrica could install 23 GW of additional solar by 2028, which would more than double its current capacity, according to the findings of a report from the Global Solar Council (GSC). The council’s latest report, Africa Market Outlook for Solar PV 2025-2028, adds that solar installations across the continent are expected to increase 42% year-on-year in 2025 after experiencing a slowdown in 2024. Africa added 2.4 GW of solar last year, according to figures from the council, compared to over 3 GW the year prior. The report attributes the slowdown in deployment to a return to normal installation rates in South Africa following a boom in 2023, as well delayed project development, particularly in North Africa. While acknowledging that Africa’s 2024 solar additions were dominated by two countries – South Africa and Egypt, which together accounted for three quarters of new solar installations last year – the report also adds that several emerging markets made “serious steps forward in their solar deployment, strengthening the overall health of the continent’s solar prospects”. Solar deployment in West Africa grew rapidly last year, led by Ghana, which nearly quadrupled its solar capacity by adding 94 MW, followed by Burkina Faso (87 MW) and Nigeria (73 MW). Meanwhile, Zambia doubled its solar capacity last year, adding 69 MW, and Angola, the Ivory Coast and Gambia all entered the top ten African countries for new solar installations for the first time. Image: Global Solar Council Looking ahead, GSC says this growing market diversification will contribute to solar’s surge in Africa, with at least 18 countries forecast to install over 100 MW of new solar capacity this year, compared to two last year. The forecast for 2025 is also buoyed by a wave of projects that were delayed in 2024 but are expected to be commissioned in 2025, the report adds. GSC’s forecast that Africa could double its solar capacity over the next four years is based on a medium growth scenario and would be dominated by new utility-scale projects, “boosting the installation trend at a pace never seen before,” the report predicts. The report, however, also stresses that affordable finance mechanisms and strong policy frameworks are required to attract investors and ensure the forecasts materialize. GSC’s analysis adds that Africa’s solar expansion is being held back by capital costs three to seven times higher than in developed countries, highlighting that while clean energy investment doubled to $40 billion globally last year, Africa only accounted for 3% of the investment. “Many projects are struggling to secure financing because of high interest rates, currency risks, and lack of guarantees,” said LĂ©o Echard, GSC Policy Officer and lead author of the report. “If we can reduce the cost of capital, Africa could become one of the fastest-growing solar markets in the world.” The report says expanding innovative financing mechanisms, derisking instruments and attracting private sector investment will be critical for lowering the cost of capital for solar in Africa. It also calls for an increase in domestic solar manufacturing on the continent, the reinforcement of grid infrastructure and the strengthening of policy and regulatory frameworks to attract private sector investment. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025
Nigeria Plans 1.2 Gw Solar Module Assembly Plant
PV Magazine
Nigeria Plans 1.2 Gw Solar Module Assembly PlantNigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed an agreement with Lagos-based renewables developer Oando Clean Energy for a 1.2 GW solar assembly plant. According to a statement on REA’s website, the project will encompass the construction of an off-grid power plant, mesh electricity generation, interconnected power grid and solar manufacturing power plant. President and CEO of Oando Clean Energy, Ademola Ogunbanjo, said the company will roll out the first 600 MW line next year. Ogunbanjo also added that the project will be the first solar modular assembly plant with a recycling line in Africa. The plant forms part of the $950m Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, which is being financed by the World Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency. The project is planning to stimulate local capacity for producing solar materials in Nigeria, provide electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians and turn the country into a “renewables hub.” REA’s agreement with Oanado Clean Energy is part of a wider deal with a total of nine companies that will help to deliver the DARES project. Speaking at a signing ceremony, REA Managing Director Abubakar Abba Aliyu also revealed plans to sign a joint development agreement with Infracorp and the Ministry of Finance for another 1 GW solar panel assembly plant “in a few weeks.” This latest announcement follows the groundbreaking of a solar module assembly plant in the southeastern state of Enugu last July. REA recently launched an operations and maintenance tender for seven hybrid solar plants, with applications open until April 28.  This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025
Fraunhofer Ise To Assess Pvt Collectors, Heat Pumps On Large-Scale Buildings
PV Magazine
Fraunhofer Ise To Assess Pvt Collectors, Heat Pumps On Large-Scale BuildingsResearchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) are working on a project aiming to further the use of photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors and heat pumps in the building sector. The integraTE-XL project is a collaboration between Fraunhofer ISE and its partners at the University of Stuttgart’s Institut fĂŒr GebĂ€udeenergetik, Thermotechnik und Energiespeicherung and the Institut fĂŒr Solarenergieforschung in Hameln. The four-year project, which kicked off in December, aims to further improve the combination of PVT collectors and heat pumps in large apartment buildings and commercial properties. A statement on the project says these technologies are now “technically and economically attractive for thermal and electrical energy supply and should therefore be established” in existing large-scale buildings. Up to nine PVT systems, deployed at apartment buildings, businesses, office buildings and other industry buildings will be examined over several years. The research team will collect measurement data and compare it to analysis from prior planning and simulation work, culminating in an evaluation covering potential improvements in efficiency and grid serviceability. Measures for operational optimization will also be developed in collaboration with system operators. A statement from Fraunhofer ISE says the findings from the commissioning and operation of the systems will be made available as a knowledge base for future installations. Meanwhile, technical and economic findings will go towards the design of political framework conditions, such as funding schemes. Fraunhofer’s statement also estimates that by implementing PVT systems on 5% of all newly renovated apartment buildings, a total saving of around 560 million tons of CO2 can be achieved over the next 25 years. PVT collectors combine solar modules with solar thermal collectors, allowing for the production of electricity and heat at the same time. In October, an international group of scientists published research on eight different kinds of PVT systems to understand how design impacts module efficiency. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025
India’S 1.2 Gw Wind-Solar Hybrid Tender Concludes With Price Of $0.039/Kwh
PV Magazine
India’S 1.2 Gw Wind-Solar Hybrid Tender Concludes With Price Of $0.039/KwhFrom pv magazine India State-owned hydropower producer NHPC has concluded its Tranche-X 1.2 GW wind-solar hybrid tender with an average price of INR 3.41 ($0.039)/kWh. Adani Renewable Energy has secured the largest slice of 600 MW at INR 3.41/kWh. Other winners at this price include Mahindra Susten (240 MW) and Sprng Energy (150 MW). Avaada was allocated 210 MW at INR 3.42/kWh. NHPC will enter into a power purchase agreement with the successful developers for a period of 25 years. The successful bidders will set up hybrid projects with or without energy storage on a build-own-operate basis to supply the contracted power. The projects can be located anywhere in India and must connect to the interstate transmission grid. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025
Water Generates Electrical Charge 10 Times Stronger Than Expected
PV Magazine
Water Generates Electrical Charge 10 Times Stronger Than ExpectedFrom pv magazine Australia Researchers from RMIT University and the University of Melbourne have discovered that water generates an electrical charge up to 10 times greater than previously understood when it moves across a surface. The academics observed when a water droplet became stuck on a tiny bump or rough spot, the force built up until it “jumped or slipped” past an obstacle, creating an irreversible charge that had not been reported before. “Previously, scientists have understood this phenomenon as occurring when the liquid leaves a surface, which goes from wet to dry,” said Peter Sherrell whose research at RMIT’s School of Science specializes in capturing and using ambient energy from the environment. “In this work, we have shown that charge can be created when the liquid first contacts the surface, when it goes from dry to wet, and is 10 times stronger than wet-to-dry charging.” The team measured the electrical charge and contact areas created by water droplets spreading and contracting on a flat plate of the material used in Teflon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Shuaijia Chen, first author and PhD student from the University of Melbourne, said the first time water touched the surface created the biggest change in charge, from 0 to 4.1 nanocoulombs (nC). The charge oscillated between about 3.2 and 4.1 nC as the water-surface interaction alternated between wet and dry phases. “To put things into perspective, the amount of electrical charge that water made by moving over the PTFE surface was more than a million times smaller than the static shock you might get from someone jumping next to you on a trampoline,” Chen said. “That amount of charge may sound insignificant, but this discovery could lead to innovations that can enhance or inhibit the charge created in liquid-surface interactions in a range of real-world applications.” The academics said the new understanding of this “stick-slip” motion of water over a surface paves the way for surface design with controlled electrification, with potential applications ranging from improving safety in fuel-holding systems to breakthroughs in energy storage and charging rates. Sherrell said the team plans to now investigate the stick-slip phenomenon with other types of liquids and surfaces, adding that the impact of this research relies on the development of commercial technologies with prospective industry partners. “The amount and rate of charge in other liquid and surface material interactions may be relevant for a range of potential commercial applications,” he said. “We plan to study where stick-slip motion can affect safety design of fluid handling systems, such as those used to store and transport ammonia and hydrogen, as well as methods to recover electricity and speed up charging from liquid motion in energy storage devices.” The study, ‘Irreversible charging caused by energy dissipation from depinning of droplets on polymer surfaces’ is published in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025
Chinese Pv Industry Brief: Huaneng, Tbea Announce Gw-Scale Renewables Clusters
PV Magazine
Chinese Pv Industry Brief: Huaneng, Tbea Announce Gw-Scale Renewables ClustersTBEA announced plans to invest in large-scale renewable energy projects, including a 1 GW solar power plant with battery storage and a 2 GW wind power project, also paired with energy storage. The investments will be led by two of its subsidiaries, with total capital requirements of CNY 3.5 billion and CN Y6.66 billion, respectively. Of this, CNY 1.05 billion and CNY 1.94 billion will be financed as equity, with TBEA contributing 80% of the funds and the remaining 20% to be raised from strategic investors. The remaining project costs will be covered through syndicated bank loans. The solar plant is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, while the wind project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. China Huaneng signed a framework agreement with the Ewenki Autonomous Banner government in Inner Mongolia for a 2.7 GW integrated renewable energy project. Located in the Honghuaerji Forestry Bureau area, the project is expected to require an investment of CNY 13.5 billion. The first phase, with an estimated CNY3.5 billion investment, will see the construction of a 1GW solar project set to begin in 2025. The second phase, with a CNY 10 billion investment, will include a 1.7 GW wind-solar hybrid power plant and associated energy storage facilities, subject to policy and market conditions. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate approximately 7 billion kWh of green electricity annually, reducing coal consumption by 2.3 million tons and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 7 million tons per year. JA Solar signed a 260 MW module distribution agreement with Exel Solar, a leading Mexican photovoltaic distributor, during Mexico's Solar and Energy Storage Exhibition. Under the agreement, JA Solar will supply 260 MW of its DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules, while Exel Solar will distribute them across Mexico. The partnership aims to accelerate the growth of the local solar market. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025
Startup Shipping High Purity Silicon Samples From Pilot Plasma Reactor
PV Magazine
Startup Shipping High Purity Silicon Samples From Pilot Plasma ReactorGreen14, a Sweden-based startup company has built a pilot reactor to refine silicon and silane based on its novel hydrogen plasma technology at Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The batch production process with 100 kW plasma capacity can produce 5 kg/h of high-purity silicon, or the same amount of silane. “Our goal is to optimize the energy required to produce high-purity silicon and silane at scale. By the end of this year, we aim to achieve a stable production of 5 kg/h, aligning with our plasma system's nominal 100 kW power requirement,” Adam Podgorski, Green14 CEO, told pv magazine. “What sets us apart is our ability to produce silicon in melt form, refinable to solar-grade purity, but also our capability to produce silanes directly from quartz, bypassing the conventional chlorination route.” The company is generating samples for future customers with the “purity levels required for commercialization,” according to Podgorski who added that his company's go-to-market strategy is to license the production technology to existing polysilicon and silane manufacturers. Green14’s reactor primary output and byproducts are adjustable. “We have the flexibility to adjust the reactor to produce only monosilane for battery applications, if required,” BegĂŒm Ucun, Green14's pilot lead and senior process engineer, told pv magazine. In the meantime, her team is characterizing samples and working toward configuration optimization. “Our focus is not only on material output but also on validating our numerical models through coupled thermal systems and precise measurement tools,” said Ucun. “Data collection is key to ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of our process.” Based on the results of the pilot, a milestone decision will be made about a demonstration production site in Q3 2025. “For us to invest in a full demonstration line, envisioned to be operational by 2027, we need to validate the pilot’s configuration and secure confidence in its scalability,” said Podgorski. Green14 aims for cost-competitiveness and a “carbon footprint that is 95%” lower than today's processes. An aspect of its sustainability is feedstock flexibility. “We are committed to using lower-grade silicon feedstocks to reduce reliance on newly mined resources,” said Podgorski, adding that there is also potential for use of recycled PV panel material. The pilot plant at KTH is expected to run for approximately five years, continuing after a demonstration site is built. It will provide an R&D support to improve production processes. “Additionally, we will explore how our technology can be applied to other critical raw materials beyond silicon – such as copper, aluminum, nickel, and rare earth elements like neodymium,” said Podgorski, indicating initial screening trial of such materials to begin shortly. Green14, which was founded in 2021, recently raised €2 million ($2.18 million) from Netherlands-based Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer. The financing round included “a royalty-based model” with the option to procure silicon in an offtake contract. This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
powerplant
Mar 12, 2025