panels

The owner of a Tesla Model and has filled his roof of solar panels to load “up to 100 km”. It is not a good idea

by

He Solar car It’s like gold for the electric car. There, all wishes will be fulfilled: we will load our cars free of charge. End of the bonds of electric and oil forever. But we are so far from getting something like the gold appears in our lives. Different companies have proposed to experiment with the solar car and even sell their own models. Toyota, with the PRIusit filled the roof of it so that its plates would help the electrical components of the car. Mercedes, in his EQXX visionhe has played with the same idea. And, despite everything, from Sttutgart to Silverstone, a trip in which they toured more than 1,200 kilometersthey barely managed to extend the autonomy of the vehicle in less than 50 kilometers. But the Marketing From a solar car is very far. In the PRIus He contributed little. The Mercedes is a prototype designed to look for the limits of efficiency, both in aerodynamics and in chemistry of its batteries and consumption of its engines, so it is not too representative either. The 3.57 kWh recovered by the solar panels yielded much more in a vehicle of these characteristics than in a street car. Sono Zion, one of the most advanced projects, He ended up canceling. Those responsible for Lightyear, who said they were able to travel for free 70 kilometers daily with their solar car, have also ended by Lower the blind. In fact, since the vehicle was announced in 2019, its managers did not stop lowering expectations and, with them, the number of kilometers per year that the car could travel thanks to its solar panels. But all this has been no impediment to the owner of a Tesla Model and that ensures in Reddit having made your electric SUV a much more efficient vehicle thanks to some solar panels distributed along the ceiling. Figures that, of course, you have to take with tweezers. Putting it in quarantine As he has counted in a thread of Redditthis owner of a tesla model and ensures that he has designed a system of Foldable solar panels that allow you to load every day between 30 and 100 kilometers a day. In the presentation of his project, the user explains that the panels are folding and installed on the roof baca. He assures that in this first version, the panels stand out about 27 centimeters from the ceiling of the vehicle but that, in a new version in which he is working, he will reduce the height to about 15 centimeters, improve the flush and create a carbon fiber support To lighten the set. In total, the Tesla Model and can carry in the future, always according to the user, 4,000 W packaged On the roof, which once deployed can recover part of solar energy, transform it into electricity and recharge the car while it is parked. But many doubts arise here. First, he assures that He is working So that the solar energy is transformed into electric and goes directly to the car battery so, we understand, for now the energy is stored in a battery that subsequently recharges the vehicle. The other great doubt that arises is about the true efficiency of the whole. In 2019Toyota created a prototype of the PRIus that filled the entire roof, the rear window and the hood of the solar panel car. A surface that generated 860 W. With them, Toyota said he could travel some 45 extra kilometersbut they were based on the Japanese homologation cycle, much more lax than Europeans. In the case of Tesla Model and, the weight of the panels touches the maximum of 75 kg that in the United States can move on the ceiling, so it will irremediably affect consumption. First of all, those 75 kg of weight, which is more or less like going with one more person in the car. And, much more critical, for the impact on automobile aerodynamics, which would be very damaged. The creator says that he has not calculated the latter but believes that consumption worsens at 10%. All this has led some Work reviewers To affirm that the car can barely travel a little more than 40 kilometers under real circulation conditions. That without entering into the impact that the solar panels have on the dynamics of the vehicle and the march comfort, because it must be difficult to ignore the generated noise. In Xataka | The accounts (impossible) to get an autonomous solar car that is recharged only with sunlight In Xataka | This electric SUV moves only with solar energy. And just arrived at the Sahara after traveling 1,000 kilometers Photo | Somid3 *An earlier version of this article was published in January 2024

The biggest problem of Perovskita’s solar panels was its durability. China has just resolved it

by

The University of Beijing has just presented the most forceful advance of Perovskita cells in terms of durability, so far the greatest weak point of technology that promises to conquer solar panels. The news. A team of researchers has designed a Perovskita cell with a 24%efficiency, similar to that of the best silicon solar panels, than maintains 99% of its performance after 1,100 hours of operation at extreme temperatures. The context. Perovskita cells are The most promising technology to generate solar energy at low cost. Perovskitas have a crystalline structure that absorbs sunlight in a very efficient waybut unlike silicon cells, they can be manufactured through simple processes, with cheaper materials, and in flexible films. There are already commercial solar panels of Perovskita and have begun to be installed on a large scale, especially in complicated lands of Chinabut their least stability and durability prevents them from competing with silicon in other facilities, even when they are manufactured in tandem with the semiconductor to improve their performance. The problem. One of the key components of Perovskita cells, the formamidinium and lead iodide (FAPBI₃), is difficult to stabilize at room temperature and tend to degrade when it is exposed to sunlight for long periods. Which, for a solar panel, is … inopportune. FAPBI₃ degradation causes Perovskita solar cells to lose efficiency rapidly (they convert less amount of light into electricity) and are not viable to compete with silicon panels, which last 30 years. The solution. To overcome this obstacle, a laboratory from the University of Beijing has invented A new “intercalation-decalation” technique of iodinewhich consists of inserting iodine atoms into the structure of the FAPBI₃ to help better organize its components, and then eliminate the excess iodine during the heating process. The key is to facilitate the formation of lead and iodine blocks, whose atoms are joined by sharing corners in the structure of Perovskita. By favoring this configuration, the mobility of the ions is reduced that, otherwise, would contribute to the degradation of the material over time. Iodine acts as a stabilizer that improves the internal cohesion of the cell. The results. This method allowed researchers to obtain a high quality Perovskita movie, without waste that may compromise their performance. The cells that developed have an energy conversion efficiency of 24%: almost a quarter of the solar energy that affects them is transformed into electricity. But the most important thing is that they maintained 99% of their initial performance after operating for more than 1,100 hours at about 85 ° C, which is a very encouraging indicative of its durability and potential long -term use. As for lead. Lead concerns its toxicity, but today it is an essential component in the Perovskita formula: it contributes significantly to its ability to absorb light and turn it into electricity, so that commercially viable cells contain lead. However, solutions are also being investigated To eliminate it. Goodbye to defects. In addition to the one at hand, other laboratories are explored complementary solutions to eliminate defects, such as the integration of molybdenum disulfide layers (MOS₂) In the structure of the cells, which act as physical and chemical barriers, blocking the migration of those defective ions that can deteriorate performance. Both the technique of iodine and that of the MOS₂ point to the same: achieve a pure and stable perovskita that can work optimally and lasting. And convert the “great promise” of solar panels into a commercial reality. Image | Huansun In Xataka | In 2009, Perovskita’s solar panels wasted 97% of energy. Now they are ready to conquer the industry

A Spanish startup has found a way to put solar panels in less than three hours: with a container

by

Installing and disassembling a solar panel seems arduous work that requires a lot of time, and in part it is so. However, a Spanish startup has arrived to reduce that time in less than three hours. Short. The photovoltaic solar generator company Nomad Solar Energy has launched A set of photovoltaic solar panels connected inside a container, which can be easily deployed with folding support and wheels that fit the ground. Thanks to its assembly “Plug & Play”, This system can be installed in any environment and, in case of extreme climatic conditions, protect within a container. The product, known as Nomad Energy Box, has achieved 15 million euros of Tilt Capital Partners financing for its international expansion and the development of new products. Location. The set of solar panels, which unfolds like an accordion, It has been designed to be versatile and functional in a wide variety of environments. Its ability to deploy quickly makes it ideal for emergency situations or areas with limited access to electrical infrastructure. So it can be installed in humanitarian, military, construction, remote camps, islands out of network or mining sites. In addition, its robust design and easy transport make it an attractive option for regions with extreme climatic conditions or complicated terrain. Available in two versions. Nomad Energy Box is available at 42.78 KWP and 106.72 kWP, both with High Efficiency Solar Panels and Huawei investors. In addition, they have CSC certification (Container Safety Convention) to guarantee the quality and safety of the container, ensuring their resistance to transport and storage in extreme conditions. Within the system there are three types of models. The first is the network connection, the standard installation that requires the investor to be always connected to the network. Then, the batteries that complement the system with energy storage for later consumption during the night or on cloudy days. Finally, the Total Island mode, that is, without connection to the network that allows the interconnection of several units to increase the available power. Not to stretch. Solar panels are progressing towards new forms, integrating into everyday objects like jackets, umbrellas or even Parasols for cars. There are also portable photovoltaic cells that you can carry with you for its size. For its part, a new study in Japan has achieved that a photovoltaic cell can be extended without cracking, as well as An investigation in Australia where we can see solar panel candles. The opening of the possibilities of solar energy in different environments is only the beginning of a constant technology. Image | Nomad Energy Box Xataka | The Perovskitas have broken all the solar records, but they already have replacement: Kesterite’s solar panels

France has thousands of kilometers of unused train tracks. So you are covering them with solar panels

by

Solar panels and wind turbines have placed us in a complicated decision: aesthetics or generating electricity? Beyond Impact on living beings of the environment in which these renewable projects are installed, it is undeniable that They have a huge visual impact. That’s why, New transparent solar panels for windows or hide them on roads They sound like a great idea. In Switzerland they have developed a project for Place solar panels on the train tracksand now France has copied the idea. Invisible panels. With the name of ‘Solveig Project’, the French rail operator SNCF It has developed, through its Arep subsidiary, a project to create a solar plant that can be deployed on the roads that the company controls. They explode about 32,000 kilometers of lines, so, if the project is successful, the potential is huge. The idea is simple, but ingenious: take advantage of the rails to install solar panels, while batteries and investors are stored in modular containers. For now, Solveig is a pilot project that has started with the installation of eight solar panels at the Achères Technical Center, where they will be tested for six months. Facilities. Having a storage solution such as containers, which include investors and batteries, it is possible for the company to transport these assets as far as it is needed. It also facilitates their installation. As Comment the Director of Innovation of AREP to PV Magazine, the development of a photovoltaic panel transport system through ISO containersas well as its installation on the roads, “it facilitates both the deployment of the panels and the reversibility of the installation.” The operation does not require a complex installation, since a mechanical arm is responsible for downloading the panels, which are subsequently fixed to the tracks to prevent the wind from moving them. And, being temporary, does not require foundations. In addition, the containers are modular and the rail infrastructure is not compromised. Self -consumption. The idea is that this solar solution feeds the internal consumption needs of SNFC, as well as local uses around the facilities. The potential is gigantic, but, although AREP considers that it is possible to export this solution to both Europe and the rest of the world, we must wait to see the results of the pilot project. In addition, the idea would be to implement this system in out -of -service railways, all to add energy to the network that operates SNCF, since 80% of the national trains of the same work with electricity. In addition, he has the commitment To deploy 1,000 MW for 2030, and fill the panel tracks would be a good support. Next steps. The following steps of the Solveig project will focus on improving system efficiency and reducing costs to make it viable on a large scale. Although there is still no definite calendar for industrialization, the potential is evident: SNCF has more than 113,800 hectares of operational land that could become authentic solar parks over rails. In short, if the project gives good results, it is only a matter of time before more countries are uploaded to this new “train” of renewable energy. And, speaking of Switzerland, they are very committed to not shaving their green fields and, apart from the panels on the train tracks, also They are installing them on road walls. We just hope this experiment Do not leave like the one on the solar roadalso in France. Images | SNCF, Arep In Xataka | The bats of Spain live times of uncertainty. The reason, according to the CSIC: the wind turbines

A van full of solar panels has been circulating in Europe for four months. The result is as good as doubtful

by

The anxiety for autonomy It is still one of the great inconvenience when convincing the skeptics of the electric car. For years, manufacturers juggle the kilometers that can be traveled with a single battery charge. There are even debates on how interesting it is more interesting to increase the size of the batteries or improve recharge times. Among those juggling has been tested with solar panels as a solution to problems. An option that until now does not seem to have given the expected results but that some German researchers point out as an interesting solution to win up to 30% autonomy. What is behind this study? A solar van that promises 30% more autonomy The use of solar energy for the battery recharge of a car and the increase in its autonomy has been studying for a long time. In fact, in 2022 the Lightyear 0an electric car with solar panels that promised to extend autonomy in 70 kilometers every day. Just over a year later, the company itself announced that closed its vehicle division And that, from now on, he would stay with the only thing that seemed to have a future: his solar panels. Its history is the best example of how everything that has to do with the application of solar panels seems to work in cars. Promises of increases of dozens of kilometers of autonomyinterest is generated, it is proven that the system is not so much and ends up falling into oblivion. In an electric car, the space to incorporate solar panels is very small. It can be done on the roof, on the hood and in the trunk. However, the surface is relatively small, the curved shapes of the pieces make the solar sheets that can be incorporated and, as if that were not enough, the results are little encouraging. In fact, the Mercedes Vision EQXXthat the German company uses for its leading tests with the electric car, barely recovered 43 kilometers on a trip that lasted more than 1,200 kilometers thanks to its solar panels. The company, however, is sure that the system can be interesting and The last thing he has tried is a solar paint with which they ensure that they can suppose up to 12,000 additional kilometers per year in a medium SUV and in the light conditions of Germany. Mercedes points out that the efficiency of the system is 20% but has not confirmed what price we are talking or when they expect to be commercially available. At the moment, everything is still part of more research. Which, on the contrary, affirms the study by the Gauss Center for Supercomputing EV and the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, published in Wiley It is that a light commercial vehicle can take performance to this technology. They base their studies on a project that began in 2021. Then, they filled the body of a small van and analyzed the energy recovered between the months of April and July of that year in Hannover. According to its results, the van I could have traveled 530 km from the 1750 km circulated. That is, 30% of the total distance. However, you have to take several things into account. The van left every morning early (5:00 am) to Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin (ISFH). There, the car was detained for hours until the working day was over and the driver returned home touring, again, the approximate 45 minutes it took to his work. They ensure that with this system the van was able to take advantage of more than 60% of the recovered energy and that, in total, extended its autonomy by 30%. However, in the study it is clear that they are estimates in which the energy recovered by the regenerative braking has been discriminated against, for example. They also point out that the tests were performed in the spring and summer months, where the incidence of sunlight is much greater. But, above all, there is a great but: we are talking about a commercial vehicle that spent hours and hours detained and, in addition, strategically positioning to obtain the greatest possible radiation over time. In this way, they reduced shade areas and less efficient areas. Of course, this is not the way of working that is expected of a commercial vehicle that makes much more moved days and that travels much more than 31.25 kilometers recorded in each session. In motionit is expected that the energy collected by the solar panels will be much lower because the shadow periods on the vehicle and the plates are less exposed in their best position. In addition, if the commercial vehicle moves in an urban environment, it is very likely that the shadow areas will increase. Nor is the cost that this system can have. It is possible that in a commercial vehicle it may make more sense than in a tourism but we would have to study the added weight, the increase in temperature inside the cabin and, subsequently, how long the car would need by plugging it into a fast charger (and its cost) to estimate whether or not it really makes sense. Photo | Wiley In Xataka | The owner of a Tesla Model and has filled his roof of solar panels to load “up to 100 km”. It is not a good idea

Kesterite solar panels

by

The Perovskita is the center of attention of the researchers to achieve higher levels of efficiencybut it presents the challenge of being an unstable and toxic material. However, an Australian study has developed a viable alternative with an element that has begun to exceed its efficiency levels: Kesterite. Short. Researchers from the University of Nueva Wales del Sur de Sydney have established a new world efficiency record of 13.2% in Kesterite solar cells (CZTS). The process they have used to achieve this has been by hydrogen and the cells were broadband. Professor Xiaojing Hao and her team at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering They have explained that the kesterite had already been used in previous investigations, but its maximum efficiency had stagnated at 11% during the last six years due to the defects generated during its production. Why Kesterite? This material is an environment -respectful option, cheap to manufacture and maintains a long -term photovoltaic performance. In addition, it is formed by copper, zinc, tin and sulfur, which are abundant and non -toxic. In this way, the kesterite becomes a more sustainable option in front of another type of solar cells. How have they done it? To improve Kesterite solar cells, scientists have used hydrogen through thermal treatment. This process, known as passive, consists of the introduction of hydrogen to reduce the defects present in the material during the production of the kesterite. In this way, hydrogen has modulated these defects, minimizing its impact and increasing efficiency in the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Pervskita vs Kesterita. Despite reaching large laboratory efficiency installments, Like 40% And you can see YOSVSKITA SOLAR PAnels marketed At least in China and also in tandem on silicon. However, this type of cells contains lead, an element that dissolves in water is pollutants. For its part, Kesterite is a more sustainable and safe alternative, the power is expected to continue increasing and low environmental impact make it an attractive option face the future. Tandem? In research development they have stated that the use of CZTS can be used in Tandem, a technology that combines two or more types of solar cells. According to Professor Hao, if the CZTS manages to achieve an efficiency of 20%, this material would be the solution of solar energy, because it meets all ideal criteria: abundant, ecological and with good optolectronic properties. Forecasts The researchers Sydney UNSW expects the efficiency of the CZTS to reach 15% in next year and that its marketing occurs around 2030. Although there is still work to be done to reduce manufacturing defects and improve performance. Image | Unsw Sydney Xataka | In 2009, Perovskita’s solar panels wasted 97% of energy. Now they are ready to conquer the industry

Texas installed millions of solar panels on rural land. To maintain it they have had to hire 3,000 sheep

by

When one of the world’s largest solar plants was installed near his home, sheep herder JR Howard never imagined it would end up being a golden opportunity for the sheep business. Context. Despite being the main oil producer in the United States, Texas has made one of the country’s strongest bets on renewable energy to the point of surpassing California in solar production. In Milam County, just outside of Austin, is the fifth largest solar photovoltaic park in the world. Owned by SB Energy, this installation covers 1,600 hectares of rural land in solar panels, generating up to 900 W of clean energy power. 3,000 sheep. Under the shadow of hundreds of thousands of solar panels, not only insects that were previously threatened proliferate, like bees. Grass also grows healthily, which requires maintenance. The solar industry tends to rely on gas-powered lawnmowers to remove grass, which defeats the fundamental purpose of renewable energy. But SB Energy opted for a more sustainable and traditional solution for the maintenance of its land: a flock of 3,000 sheep. why sheep. In addition to the economic benefits, sheep reach grasses that lawnmowers can’t reach, such as those that grow in small crevices. No less important: the sheep happily chew whatever day it is, rain or shine. But the proliferation of grazing animals on solar farms is not unique to this Texas facility, but is part of a broader trend in the agrivoltaic industry sometimes called “solar grazing.” an opportunity. To JR Howard, solar grazing has changed his life. His sheep farming business has been industrialized and he now has 8,000 animals and 27 employees. An image that is repeated in 27 states in the United States, according to the American Solar Grazing Association, which reports 60 new agrivoltaic projects with grazing by small herbivores. The solar industry is a golden opportunity for sheep herders, who have seen the wool and breeding business in general decline. Agrivoltaics makes it possible to take advantage of sunny land both to generate electricity and to maintain livestock, herds of goats and sheep or grow food. Image | AgriSolar Clearinghouse In Xataka | Minnesota installed solar panels on two huge crops. Five years later, they are a paradise for bees

China set up its own “OPEC of solar panels” to avoid an internal price war. It came out regular

by

If there is currently a power in renewables, it is China. The country installs 60% of the world’s renewable capacity and has huge projects underway like his ‘Solar Great Wall‘, he largest wind turbine in the world and ambitious plans offshore energy both wind and photovoltaic. In the solar energy segment there are so many companies competing for the same piece of the pie that even the biggest ones are drowning. And with problems everywhere, the industry wanted to emulate the oil sector with a great self-control pact. The first attempt has gone wrong. Saturation. The storm began in 2021. It was the year in which China presented its net zero emissions plan for 2060 with a very ambitious goal: at least 1,200 GW of solar and wind capacity installed by 2030. Energy companies got down to business , but there were also companies not endemic to the energy sector that jumped on the bandwagon of what aimed to be a very lucrative business. The problem is that it was carried out without apparent control, with everyone fighting the war on their own. The result? Large projects throughout the country and such a beastly production of solar panels that it has stifled companies from outside Chinabut also an annual production capacity of around 1,200 GW of panels. So we don’t all fit. This might seem good, but it is not: it represents double global demand in 2024 and is more than expected for 2030. The situation pushed many companies to deduct prices, sometimes below costs, creating a kind of ‘Ice Age’ of the photovoltaic sector with companies such as GLC Tecnology – the second solar company in China and one of the largest in the energy sector– asking the state for help. The reason is that the prices of the entire production chain (from silicon to photovoltaic modules) had fallen below costs and companies were losing money with each sale. As we read In South China Morning Post, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, or CPIA, estimates that prices in each segment of the panel supply chain fell between 60% and 80% in 2024 from their peak in 2023. Following in the footsteps of OPEC. The problem is that demand also did not follow the trend. According to the energy think tank Ember, global solar installations grew by 29% in 2024 compared to 87% in 2023. In China alone, the expected growth in 2024 was 28%, far from 55% the previous year. In addition, 39 of the 121 publicly traded photovoltaic producers, reported losses in Chinaand giants like Longo Green Energy had to lay off 5% of their workforce. It was necessary to take control of this unlimited production, and it is something that was attempted to be tackled at the CPIA meeting in December of last year. In the la, 33 of the main manufacturers signed a self-control commitment based, according to SCMP, on the agreements of the OPEC -Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries-. The idea was to agree on production quotas based on their capacity, respect the minimum recommended price established by the Association and, with this, wait for the market to regulate itself. First problems. It is curious that, just two weeks after the signing of that self-control pact, the CPIA issued an open letter criticizing a solar project in Xinjiang that was violating the agreement. The problem? The company, a subsidiary of the China Energy Investment Group, set a price “significantly lower” than the 0.68 yuan – about 0.09 euros – per watt stipulated by the CPIA. It is something that has weakened the morale of an industry that considered an OPEC-style pact as one of the last realistic resources to save solar-related companies and jobs in the country before taking actions that end with closures and layoffs. The Government puts its hand. This is something that worries government institutions and companies themselves because a negative climate in which companies are operating at a loss or without achieving financial objectives can have a disastrous consequence: compromising the quality of the panels and the industry, prevent innovation and, therefore, make China blur what has been achieved in recent years, disappearing the competitive advantage and causing the loss of talent. And the CPIA is not the only one that has tried to control the situation. The central government also imposed some measures to curb the expansion, such as increasing minimum capital requirements for new panel manufacturing projects from 20% to 30%, lower export tax rebates, and stricter limits on water and energy consumption. . For example, the permitted electricity consumption for existing manufacturers was reduced from 80 kWh/kg to 60 kWh/kg. It’s complicated. The problem is that the industry is, at this point, too big. With the new government measures on energy use, it is estimated that production capacity will be between 20% to 30%. But the problem is, as Jessica Jin – an analyst at S&P Global – points out, that the main obstacle will be controlling all the factories in the country to ensure that they comply with the measures. In the end, what is happening in China is something that has been brewing for months: they lead the solar panel market (by a lot), but they have grown without control and this accelerated boom is currently being regulated based on demand both internal and external. Images | Korea Aerospace Research Institute Xataka | China is regularly hit by typhoons. Now it has a mega wind turbine to take advantage of them

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.