A cloud-based system developed by Washington State University allows for local energy trading and sharing within neighborhoods, resulting in potential cost savings of up to 12% over a five-day test period. The system, tested in collaboration with a local utility network, highlights the importance of coordinated operation at the distribution level in the changing electricity industry landscape. Published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, the research paper presents a community-based transactive coordination mechanism for enabling grid-edge systems, with the ability to reduce energy costs by up to 12% in communities with solar and battery energy storage systems.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Longi achieves 33.35% efficiency for flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell
Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 33.35% for a 1 cm2 flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by the US Department of Energy's NREL. The tandem device utilized a dual-buffer layer strategy to enhance interfacial adhesion and charge extraction, with the top cell incorporating layers such as a perovskite absorber and a self-assembled monolayer hole transport layer. Testing showed the cell design's durability, retaining over 97% of its initial efficiency after bending and thermal cycling tests. These findings were detailed in a study published in Nature, showcasing advancements in flexible solar cell technology.
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When solar meets next-gen nuclear
Researchers in China have proposed a scheduling framework for microgrids that integrates solar power with small modular nuclear reactors to improve short-term dispatch capability and long-term economic viability. The framework utilizes multi-objective distributionally robust optimization and real-time reinforcement learning to co-optimize photovoltaic and SMR generation. The system includes a generator, battery, electrolyzers for hydrogen production, and an energy management system to make decisions based on forecasts and real-time data. The proposed optimization framework reduces operational costs by 18.7% and carbon emission intensity by 37.1% compared to conventional fossil-dominated microgrids, while enhancing critical load supply reliability to above 98% across all uncertainty scenarios. Researchers have developed a new operational strategy for microgrids that combines demand response optimization with reinforcement learning to adapt to real-time environmental changes, allowing for flexibility in managing energy imbalances and reducing reliance on carbon-intensive backup generation. The coordination between short-term battery storage and long-term hydrogen storage enhances cost-effectiveness and reliability.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/11/25/when-solar-meets-next-gen-nuclear/
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Wind-PV-powered heat pump for low-energy residential buildings
Researchers from China have developed an optimized energy management strategy for a hybrid wind-PV heat pump system with thermal and electric energy storage. The study found that adopting seasonal interaction management strategies improved power-to-load interaction and enabled zero-energy performance. The optimal system configuration includes PV modules, wind turbines, batteries, and heat pumps. The research showed significant improvements in system performance and cost savings with the implementation of the optimized energy management strategy, resulting in a reduction in system integration factor, levelized cost of electricity, and carbon emissions, while increasing self-consumption ratio.
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The impact of electron irradiation on PERC, TOPCon solar cell performance
UNSW researchers have found that electron irradiation significantly degrades the bulk minority carrier lifetime of silicon solar cells, leading to up to a 60% drop in efficiency. The study identified vacancy-vacancy defects as the main radiation-induced defects affecting the cells. They emphasized the need to increase radiation tolerance in commercial space silicon solar cells, with p-PERC cells showing superior radiation tolerance compared to p-TOPCon cells. Front-junction architectures were found to perform better than rear-junction designs in terms of radiation damage. The findings were presented in the study "Electron radiation-induced degradation of silicon solar cells" published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, highlighting various degradation mechanisms and vulnerabilities in TOPCon solar cells.
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Solar sidewalks in Canada cut urban emissions 98%, claim scientists
Research from Concordia University in Montreal suggests that integrating solar panels into sidewalks could be an effective way to create a green city. The study proposes using sidewalk-embedded photovoltaic panels to power local electric vehicle-based delivery networks and food logistics, while traditional solar sites are used for community gardens. The 15-minute city model aims to bring daily needs closer to residents to reduce fossil-fuel-consuming trips. The research, focusing on the impacts of sidewalk PV panels, found that a small area of panels could power the entire urban mobility system and significantly reduce emissions. The model also incorporates vegetable crops into the urban landscape, creating a self-sufficient cluster for certain vegetables.
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Skyven Technologies commissions steam-generating, industrial heat pump
Skyven Technologies has commissioned its Arcturus steam-generating heat pump demonstration project in Dallas, Texas, capable of delivering 1 MWth of boiler-quality steam by capturing waste heat. The system is highly efficient, being eight times more efficient than natural gas boilers and six times more efficient than electric boilers and thermal energy storage. With a control system that can monitor grid loads, optimize cost and emissions reductions, and seamlessly integrate into industrial facilities, the Arcturus product line scales from 1 MWth to 60 MWth of emissions-free steam output, making it suitable for various manufacturing sectors.
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Efficient solar PV cooking with sand-based thermal energy storage
Scientists in Ghana have developed a solar PV-powered steam cooker with sand-based thermal energy storage, achieving a thermal efficiency of 38.9% and a payback period of 4.5 years. The system utilizes sand for its thermal stability and low cost, with the potential to reduce emissions and support Ghana's climate targets. Testing showed the system could cook large quantities of food efficiently and reliably, with a lifecycle cost analysis indicating significant cost savings compared to traditional biomass stoves. The integration of steam cooking with sand-based TES in solar PV-electric systems is a novel approach with promising results for sustainable cooking solutions. The Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Technology Consultancy Centre, International Centre for Innovation, Manufacturing, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship, and Cape Coast Technical University are likely involved in technology and innovation related to climate solutions.
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Huawei unveils next-generation solutions for C&I energy and e-mobility
Huawei has unveiled its latest advancements in commercial and industrial (C&I) energy and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including the versatile C&I One-Fits-All Solution and the ultra-fast FusionCharge solution capable of adding 200 km of range in 5 minutes. The LUNA2000-215 Series offers high system round-trip efficiency and extended battery life. Additionally, Huawei has introduced a new safety architecture for improved electrical and thermal safety, showcasing their commitment to innovative climate solutions in the energy and transportation sectors.
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How to balance power losses, cost effectiveness in PV-BESS-driven EV charging stations
Scientists in India have developed a novel method for optimizing the placement and operation of EV charging stations with PV generation and battery storage, aiming to improve power flow efficiency, reduce emissions and expenses, and make EVs a practical choice for all drivers. The method includes an optimization component for station placement and sizing, a hierarchization component for determining the order in which EVs are charged, and uses a multi-objective optimization algorithm and analytical hierarchy process to allocate charging spots based on various parameters. Testing the method's effectiveness in a network with two EV charging stations showed promising results, with potential for further integration of AI for predictive EV traffic modeling and hybrid renewables like wind to optimize larger networks and drive down costs and emissions for a seamless transition to electrified transport worldwide.