EGEB: ‘Addio Coal!’ – Italy, 32% solar cell licensed, robot solar manufacturing, more

Electrek Green Energy Brief: A daily technical, financial and political review/analysis of important green energy news. Featured Image Source

Italy proposes phasing out coal power plants by 2025 – “We have asked (grid company) Terna to identify the infrastructure needed,” Minister Carlo Calenda said in a parliamentary hearing on the document. They’re in the early stages of doing so, but someone – somewhere, thinks its possible. Italy’s got a population of around 60 million people. France, already so clean from an electricity standpoint, plans to be coal free by 2023. No coal Netherlands by 2030. Rock on Europe.

Electric System Reliability: No Clear Link to Coal and Nuclear – There is an argument going on in the energy industry right now about whether coal and nuclear deserve extra payments for their services because they offer ‘onsite fuel’ security and ‘baseline’ power. The logic being put forward is that these sources of energy are more dependable, and deserve an extra fee to keep them economically viable for the broader safety of the grid. In times of warfare, this might be true compared to gasoline. Compared to wind/solar – well – those paces are put where the fuel comes from the sky…so we’re focusing on the ‘baseload’ argument with these sources. Research looking at whether the power grids are more secure due to coal/nuclear show that grids dependent on coal/nuclear often go down more due to being older. Grids that have worked to integrate solar/wind are more stable. You may see headlines on a NOPR being discussed at FERC – this is the topic.

UNIST researchers develop highly stable perovskite solar cells – This week on perovskite research we get highly stable solar cells. Key paragraph – The perovskite materials are easily decomposed in moisture conditions. They cannot survive even for one day without proper encapsulation and this results in low stability. To solve these issues and make progress toward the commercialization of PSCs, Professor Kim and his team introduced a highly stable p-i-n structure for PSCs using fluorine functionalized EFGnPs to fully cover the perovskite active layer and protect against the ingress of water for high-stability PSCs. They literally added a layer of atoms along the edge of the solar cell to the edge of the solar cell to increase stability. Building our energy future, literally, layer by layer.

NREL licenses inverted metamorphic multi-junction solar cell technology – MicroLink Devices has demonstrated an efficiency of 32.3% under 1-sun AM0 using an IMM design. MicroLink Devices has previously announced a production contract to provide ELO multi-junction solar sheets to Airbus Defence and Space for use on the Zephyr S HALE platform. The aircraft runs exclusively on solar power, and the Zephyr aircraft is at the forefront of the HAPS arena, holding world records with regards to absolute endurance (more than 14 days) and altitude (more than 70,000 feet). These types of products will one day be used by the rest of us. Solar power was first used only in satellites, then remote locations – and only through decades of research – have you and I been able to consider purchasing solid state hardware with 20%+ sunlight to electricity efficiency. 32% is in the world – it’s probably $10/W and you’re not interested in it…but at $5/W you will be.

VA Hospital in San Juan PR installed with Sollega FR510 (638 kW) on roof (90′) survives Hurricane Irma and Maria – This is the CEO’s LinkedIN profile, so it could have some marketing in the wording, but a 650kW on a 90′ high roof took a shot from a Cat5 hurricane and survived. Hybrid combination of mechanical and ballest connections – meaning lots of heavt bricks, with strategic tie downs via anchors to the roof. They need energy storage.

Tongwei opens the world’s first intelligent manufacturing ‘4.0’ solar cell production line – China-based integrated and merchant PV manufacturer Tongwei Group recently opened its completed high-efficiency solar cell plant (S2), which includes the world’s first technically unmanned monocrystalline solar cell production line under the intelligent manufacturing term, 4.0. Multiple groups have made announcements like this in recent times. Our ability to produce solar cells and panels will go through the roof. Consistency will increase. Costs will fall. We will have more energy than we know what to do with…

Featured image is of highly stable perovskite solar cells.

Considering residential solar? Understand Solar will connect you with local contractors. Tweet me to pick apart quote.

For more electric vehicle, autonomous transport and clean technology news, make sure to follow us on Twitter, Newsletter, RSS or Facebook to get our latest articles.