News

NREL: High-Value Silicon Is More Important Than Intact Wafers in Recycling of Solar Panels

published: 2020-07-23 10:30
Researchers at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently released a study that provides several recommendations on developing the methods for recycling solar panels (or photovoltaic modules). The study, which was published in the journal Nature Energy, estimates that the cumulative mass of discarded solar panels worldwide could reach up to 80 million metric tons by 2050. After evaluating various recycling methods, NREL has concluded that the focus of recycling solar panels should be on the recovery of high-value materials instead of the preservation of silicon wafers for future reuse. The NREL study also states that more aggressive R&D is needed to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the recycling process. ...  more

IDTechEx: CIGS to be the Next PV Rock Star

published: 2020-07-22 13:00
Estimates vary but we are certainly in $100 billion, 100GW territory with the booming photovoltaic market. The new IDTechEx report, "Electronics Reshaped 2020-2040" reveals solar market growth by new capabilities opening previously impossible applications. Well-rehearsed is how silicon is in the lead with massive Chinese investment likely to see single-crystal silicon usurp polycrystalline silicon as its newly-affordable extra electricity output attracts. Amorphous silicon, dye-sensitised solar cells, and cadmium telluride improve little and cadmium is scarcely the tastiest element on the menu alongside, shock horror, lead in the newly arrived perovskite challenger - so what are we missing?  ...  more

Huawei Hosts 2020 Europe Smart PV FusionSolar Day Online

published: 2020-07-22 12:00
In the beginning of July, Huawei hosted its 2020 Smart PV FusionSolar Day in Europe with 5 speakers and 5 panelists from leading research firms, customers and partners. The online event gathered attendees from more than 40 countries covering topics from PV market trends during and post COVID-19 to experience sharing for utility-scale projects. ...  more

American Electric Companies Pondering on Shifting to the Production of Renewable Energy as Natural Gas Pipeline Becomes the Object of Hatred

published: 2020-07-22 10:30
Various states in the US are conforming to different level of engagement in renewable energy policy, and most electric companies are now more interested in gas-fired power generation from the affordable natural gas due to the majority of disinterest in the implementation of renewable energy sources, especially subsequent to the shale gas revolution. However, this status is about to undergo changes as the oil and gas pipelines in the US became the object of hatred, which resulted in the exorbitant cost for establishing natural gas pipelines. Electric companies might as well forfeit the relevant planning, and shift to the production of renewable energy sources, should this phenomenon become the new norm. ...  more

Xpeng Motors Announces ~US$500mn Series C+ Financing

published: 2020-07-21 13:00
Xpeng Motors (the “Company”), a leading smart electric vehicle (“Smart EV”) company in China, today announced the signing of its Series C+ financing of around US$500 million with a group of investors including Aspex, Coatue, Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia Capital China. ...  more

Taipower Restarted No. 1 Coal Unit of Taichung Power Plant in Preparation for a New Record High in Summer Electricity Consumption

published: 2020-07-21 10:30
Taiwan has broken record in electricity consumption for two days straight as the island reels under the oppressive heat of this summer. Anticipating that electricity demand will continue to climb, Taipower reactivated the first coal-fired generation unit (here referred to as the No. 1 Coal Unit) of the Taichung Power Plant late at night on July 14 and reconnected it to the grid in the morning of the next day. The public utility stated that ramping up the capacity of the power plant is necessary to ensure an adequate supply of electricity. ...  more