Solar energy news and discussion

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Self-assembled monolayer paves the way for adapting perovskite solar cells for renewable energy
https://techxplore.com/news/2023-10-sel ... solar.html
by City University of Hong Kong

A step forward in the evolution of perovskite solar cells recorded by researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) will have significant implications for renewable energy development.

The CityU innovation paves the way for commercializing perovskite solar cells, bringing us closer to an energy-efficient future powered by sustainable sources. The research, titled "Stabilized hole-selective layer for high-performance inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells," is published in the journal Science.

"The implications of this research are far-reaching, and its potential applications could revolutionize the solar energy industry," said Professor Zhu Zonglong of the Department of Chemistry at CityU, who collaborated with Professor Li Zhong'an at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

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Research team counters solar energy misinformation

https://techxplore.com/news/2023-10-tea ... ation.html

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Breakthrough synthesis method improves solar cell stability

https://techxplore.com/news/2023-10-bre ... -cell.html

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Scientists Develop New Method to Create Stable, Efficient Next-gen Solar Cells
October 24, 2023


Introduction:

(Eurekalert) UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Next-generation solar materials are cheaper and more sustainable to produce than traditional silicon solar cells, but hurdles remain in making the devices durable enough to withstand real-world conditions. A new technique developed by a team of international scientists could simplify the development of efficient and stable perovskite solar cells, named for their unique crystalline structure that excels at absorbing visible light.

The scientists, including Penn State faculty Nelson Dzade, reported in the journal Nature Energy their new method for creating more durable perovskite solar cells that still achieve a high efficiency of 21.59% conversion of sunlight to electricity.

Perovskites are promising solar technology because the cells can be manufactured at room temperature using less energy than traditional silicon materials, making them more affordable and more sustainable to produce, according to the Dzade, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering in the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering and co-author of the study. But the leading candidates used to make these devices, hybrid organic-inorganic metal halides, contain organic components that are susceptible to moisture, oxygen and heat, and exposure to real-world conditions can lead to rapid performance degradation, the scientists said.

One solution involves turning instead to all-inorganic perovskite materials like cesium lead iodide, which has good electrical properties and a superior tolerance to environmental factors.

Read more here: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1005698

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Solar likely to outpace hydropower’s annual generation in 2024: EIA

Published Nov. 9, 2023

Solar is expected to generate 14% more electricity than hydroelectric facilities next year, thanks to the growth of new utility-scale and small-scale solar facilities, the Energy Information Administration said in a Tuesday report.

If solar energy performs as forecasted in 2024, it will be the first time in the U.S. that solar has annually generated more electricity than hydropower, EIA said in its monthly Short Term Energy Outlook. Solar first outpaced hydropower on a monthly basis in September 2022, generating 19 billion kWh compared to hydropower’s 17 billion kWh.

Solar outpaced hydropower again over the summer “due to exponential growth in installed solar capacity,” EIA said.

“From 2009 to 2022, installed solar capacity increased at an average rate of 44% per year, and installed hydroelectric capacity increased by less than 1% each year,” the agency said.

EIA’s report estimates that renewable energy’s share of U.S. generation, including hydro, will rise from 22% to 24% in 2024, while natural gas and coal are expected to each drop one point to 41% and 15%, respectively.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/solar- ... ia/699130/

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China Signs Solar Power Deal with Myanmar Junta

https://www.irrawaddy.com/specials/myan ... junta.html