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Combining solar panels and lamb grazing increases land productivity, study finds

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Combining solar panels and lamb grazing increases land productivity, study finds

Land productivity could be greatly increased by combining sheep grazing and solar energy production on the same land, according to new research by Oregon State University scientists.

This is believed to be the first study to investigate livestock production under agrivoltaic systems, where solar energy production is combined with agricultural production, such as planting agricultural crops or grazing animals.

The researchers compared lamb growth and pasture production in pastures with solar panels and traditional open pastures. They found less overall but higher quality forage in the solar pastures and that lambs raised in each pasture type gained similar amounts of weight. The solar panels, of course, provide value in terms of energy production, which increases the overall productivity of the land.

Solar panels also benefit the welfare of the lambs by providing shade, which allows the animals to preserve energy. Also lamb grazing alleviates the need to manage plant growth under the solar panels through herbicides or regular mowing, which require extra labor and costs.

“The results from the study support the benefits of agrivoltaics as a sustainable agricultural system,” said Alyssa Andrew, a master’s student at Oregon State who is the lead author of the paper published in Frontier in Sustainable Food Systems.

Solar photovoltaic installation in the U.S. has increased by an average of 48% per year over the past decade, and current capacity is expected to double again over the next five years, the researchers say.

Past research has found that grasslands and croplands in temperate regions are the best places to install solar panels for maximum energy production. However, energy production in photovoltaic systems requires large areas of land, potentially causing a competition between agricultural uses.

Agrivoltaics looks to diffuse that competition by measuring the economic value of energy production and agricultural use of the same land. Past research has focused on crops and solar panels and found that some crops, particularly types that like shade, can be more productive in combination with solar panels.

Another recent Oregon State study found that shade provided by solar panels increased the abundance of flowers under the panels and delayed the timing of their bloom, both findings that could aid the agricultural community.

The just-published study with lambs and solar panels was carried out in 2019 and 2020 at Oregon State’s campus in Corvallis. Findings included:

+ The lambs gained almost the same amount of weight in the two pasture types in both years.

+ The daily water consumption of the lambs in the two pasture types in spring 2019 were similar during early spring, but lambs in open pastures consumed more water than those grazed under solar panels in the late spring period. There was no difference observed in water intake of the lambs in spring 2020.

+ Over the two years, solar pastures produced 38% less forage than open pastures.

+ Overall, the return from grazing was $1,046 per hectare (one hectare equals 2.47 acres) per year in open pastures and $1,029 per hectare per year in pastures with solar panels.

“”The overall return is about the same, and that doesn’t take into account the energy the solar panels are producing,” said Serkan Ates, an assistant professor in the Oregon State’s Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences and a co-author of the paper. “And if we designed the system to maximize production we would likely get even better numbers.”

Andrew is now working on a follow up to this study where she is quantifying the forage and lamb production from three different pasture types under solar panels.

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency


Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In groundbreaking research published in Nano Energy, a team led by Prof. CHEN Chong at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has significantly improved the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By integrating inorganic nano-material tin sulfoxide (SnSO) as a dopant, they have boosted the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs to an impressive 24.5%.

Traditional methods of enhancing the charge transport in the critical hole transport layer (HTL) of PSCs involve the use of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide (Li-TFSI) to facilitate the oxidation of the HTL material spiro-OMeTAD. However, this method suffers from low doping efficiency and can leave excess Li-TFSI in the spiro-OMeTAD film, reducing its compactness and long-term conductivity. Additionally, the oxidation process typically requires 10-24 hours to achieve the desired electrical conductivity and work function.



The HFIPS team’s innovation lies in their development of a rapid and replicable method to control the oxidation of nanomaterials, using SnSO nanomaterial to pre-oxidize spiro-OMeTAD in precursor solutions. This novel approach not only enhances conductivity but also optimizes the energy level position of the HTL, culminating in a high PCE of 24.5%.



One of the key advantages of the SnSO-regulated spiro-OMeTAD HTL is its pinhole-free, uniform, and smooth morphology, which maintains its performance and physical integrity even under challenging conditions of high temperature and humidity. Additionally, the oxidation process facilitated by this method is significantly faster, taking only a few hours- a crucial factor in improving the commercial production efficiency of PSCs.



Prof. CHEN Chong highlighted the importance of this breakthrough, stating, “Also, the oxidation process only takes a few hours, which is good for improving the commercial preparation efficiency of PSCs.” This advancement not only marks a significant leap in the efficiency and stability of PSCs but also holds substantial implications for their commercial viability.



Research Report:A nanomaterial-regulated oxidation of hole transporting layer for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells


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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high


Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






Researchers at Tsinghua University have made a significant breakthrough in the efficiency of flexible solar cells, leveraging a novel fabrication technique to set a new efficiency record. This advancement addresses the longstanding challenge of the lower energy conversion efficiency in flexible solar cells compared to their rigid counterparts, offering promising implications for aerospace and flexible electronics applications.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs), despite their potential, have historically lagged in efficiency due to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based flexible substrate’s inherent softness and inhomogeneity. This limitation, coupled with durability issues arising from the substrate’s susceptibility to water and oxygen infiltration, has hindered the practical deployment of FPSCs.



The team from the State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control at Tsinghua University, alongside collaborators from the Center for Excellence in Nanoscience at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing, introduced a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. This method facilitates the deposition of tin oxide (SnO2) on flexible substrates without the need for strong acids, which are detrimental to such substrates. Tin oxide is essential for the FPSCs as it acts as an electron transport layer, crucial for the cells’ power conversion efficiency.



Associate Professor Chenyi Yi, a senior author of the study, explained, “Our method utilizes SnSO4 tin sulfate instead of SnCl2 tin chloride, making it suitable for acid-sensitive flexible substrates. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of FPSCs but also their durability, with a new power conversion efficiency benchmark set at 25.09%, certified at 24.90%.”



The novel fabrication technique also contributes to the FPSCs’ stability, as demonstrated by the cells maintaining 90% of their initial efficiency after being bent 10,000 times. The researchers noted an improved high-temperature stability in SnSO4-based FPSCs over those made with SnCl2, pointing towards the dual benefits of efficiency and durability enhancements.



The research signifies a leap towards industrial-scale production of high-efficiency FPSCs, with potential applications ranging from wearable technology and portable electronics to aerospace power sources and large-scale renewable energy solutions. The team’s findings, supported by Ningyu Ren, Liguo Tan, Minghao Li, Junjie Zhou, Yiran Ye, Boxin Jiao, and Liming Ding, mark a pivotal step in transitioning FPSCs from laboratory to commercial use.



Research Report:25% – Efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells via controllable growth of SnO2


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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells


KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

by Sophie Jenkins

London, UK (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In 2009, researchers introduced perovskite-based solar cells, highlighting the potential of methylammonium lead bromide and methylammonium lead iodide-known as lead halide perovskites-for photovoltaic research. These materials, notable for their excellent light-absorbing properties, marked the beginning of an innovative direction in solar energy generation. Since then, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells has significantly increased, indicating a future where they are used alongside traditional silicon in solar panels.

Erkan Aydin, Stefaan De Wolf, and their team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have explored how this tandem technology could transition from experimental stages to commercial production. Perovskites are lauded for their low-temperature production process and their flexibility in application, offering a lighter, more adaptable, and potentially cost-effective alternative to silicon-based panels.



Combining perovskite with silicon in a single solar cell leverages the strengths of both materials, enhancing sunlight utilization and reducing losses that aren’t converted into electrical energy. “The synergy between perovskite and silicon technologies in tandem cells captures a broader spectrum of sunlight, minimizing energy loss and significantly boosting efficiency,” Aydin notes.



However, Aydin and his colleagues acknowledge challenges in scaling tandem solar-cell fabrication for the marketplace. For instance, the process of depositing perovskite on silicon surfaces is complicated by the silicon’s texture. Traditional laboratory methods like spin coating are not feasible for large-scale production due to their inefficiency and material wastage. Alternatives such as slot-die coating and physical vapor deposition present their own set of advantages and challenges.



Moreover, the durability of perovskite components under environmental stressors such as moisture, heat, and light remains a critical concern. Aydin emphasizes the need for focused research to enhance the reliability and lifespan of perovskite/silicon tandem cells, especially in harsh conditions.



Although tandem modules have already been demonstrated in proof-of-concept stages, the timeline for their market readiness is uncertain. Nonetheless, the successful development of efficient, commercial-grade perovskite/silicon solar cells is essential for meeting global energy demands sustainably.



Research Report:Pathways toward commercial perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics


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King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com





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