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					</table><p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Northwestern University</a> have found that large-scale perovskite films, commonly used in solar technology, can be protected by liquid crystals that can respond to temperature change to avoid accumulating precipitation.</p>
<p>The new protection method achieved a stabilized efficiency of 21% for solar modules with enhanced damp heat stability, that is, 85% relative humidity at 85 degrees Celsius and a size of 31 sq cm. The earlier recorded efficiency was 19.5% for the highest certified stabilized aperture-area efficiency for perovskite solar modules exceeding 30 sq cm.</p>
<p>While organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells have shown promise in producing solar energy, they have only achieved an energy-to-power conversion efficiency of 26% in small samples. Scaling up perovskite solar cells to produce power at a larger scale has been hindered due to defects that arise from how the solutions are processed.</p>
<p>To combat this, a team of chemistry and engineering researchers at Northwestern University developed a method to accelerate the widespread industry adoption of perovskite solar cells.</p>
<p>In a study published in the Nature Energy journal, the researchers said they had developed a new material processing method to achieve uniform protection from defects on large-scale perovskite films, which achieved a record stabilized efficiency. They aimed to incorporate liquid crystals that homogenized and minimized defects of large perovskite films, yielding enhanced device performance. While extensive work has been done in bolstering perovskites to replace silicon, the usage of liquid crystals might represent significant progress.</p>
<p>“The liquid crystal strategy helps address a critical issue in the scale-up of perovskite solar cells, which demonstrates the potential for more efficient and stable solar energy generation on a larger scale, making it more robust for real-world applications,” said Yi Yang, a postdoctoral fellow, part of the researching team. It highlights the necessity for developing tailored solutions to minimize performance gaps in the scale-up process, she adds.</p>
<p>Prior research on liquid crystals used them as common additives in perovskite films but overlooked their ability to change with temperatures. This allowed for the regulation of crystal growth and prevented defects in large-area perovskite films, presenting potential for applications in the future.</p>
<p>“This methodology can be extended to the slot-die coating process, facilitating the production of larger-area perovskite submodules,” Yang said. “Exploring the functionality and phase structure of liquid crystal molecules presents an opportunity to enhance passivation effects and bolster device stability.”</p>
<p>Several new methods have been developed to improve the commercial utility of perovskite cells and improve their adoption across solar technology.</p>
<p>Last March, researchers at UK-based Swansea University <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/researchers-find-cost-perovskite-solar-cells-at-scale" target="_blank" rel="noopener">established</a> a low-cost and scalable carbon ink formulation with the potential for large-scale manufacturing of perovskite solar cells.</p>
<p>Early this year, a research team <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bulky-molecules-perovskite-solar-last-longer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">created</a> tandem cells by combining silicon-based semiconductors with perovskites to make the cells last longer.</p>


Novel Liquid Crystals Yield 22% Efficiency in Large-Scale Perovskite Solar Modules


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					</table><p>Here are some noteworthy cleantech developments from around the world</p>
<p><strong>Reliance India has </strong><a href="http://www.sc-solar.com/#/newsDetail?id=100" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>signed</strong></a><strong> a contract with China-based SC Solar to purchase solar module automation production line equipment with an annual capacity of 5.2 GW. </strong>The project is the largest solar module production line project in India at present and also the largest heterojunction solar module production line project in the industry. To meet the local service needs of the Indian market, SC Solar has set up special Indian technical service centers and local service teams to comprehensively deepen its global strategic layout.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.adanienterprises.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Adani Enterprises</strong></a><strong> signed an agreement to launch a pilot project to develop a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck (FCET) with </strong><a href="https://www.ashokleyland.com/in/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashok Leyland</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://www.ballard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ballard Power</strong></a><strong>. </strong>The collaboration marks Asia’s first planned hydrogen-powered mining truck, with FCET scheduled to be launched in India in 2023. The demonstration project will be led by Adani<strong>, </strong>Ballard will supply the fuel cell engine for the hydrogen truck and Ashok Leyland would provide the vehicle platform and technical support. The Adani Group has plans to invest more than $50 billion over the next ten years in green hydrogen and associated ecosystems corresponding to a capacity of up to 3 million tons of green hydrogen annually.</p>
<p><strong>JA Solar entered into a partnership with AMEA Power to</strong><a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ja-solar-to-supply-all-high-efficiency-modules-for-egypts-largest-pv-project-301723025.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> supply</strong></a><strong> its DeepBlue 3.0 Pro modules for Egypt&#8217;s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) project. </strong>The Kom Ombo Abydos project in Egypt, with a capacity of 560 MW, is developed, owned, and operated by AMEA Power and financed by International Finance Corporation, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank. The project would be the largest single PV project in the country upon completion and provide clean electricity to nearly one million Egyptian residents. Construction commenced in early January 2023 and is expected to be completed in the next 19 months.</p>
<p><a href="https://cleantechsolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cleantech Solar</strong></a><strong> commissioned 40 MW solar projects for a global industrial manufacturing company at its 280 MW solar park in Tamil Nadu. </strong>The offtaker will procure power from this solar park on a captive basis and utilize it to power their manufacturing facility in the state. Cleantech Solar’s long-term solar partnership with the customer is expected to generate over 1.3 TWh of clean energy during the lifetime of the project. This would likely reduce approximately 1,221 kilotons of CO2 emissions.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.rayspowerinfra.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rays Power Infra</strong></a><strong> announced the commissioning of a 275 MW grid-connected solar power project in Sundarganj, Bangladesh.</strong> Rays executed the project with its in-house engineering, procurement, and construction team and completed it within the scheduled 14 months. The project is spread over 600 acres of land and is expected to offset over 375 billion tons of CO2 emissions. The project comprises over 500,000 solar PV modules. The project will help meet the deficit of the power supply, while also being a sustainable source of green energy and reducing its carbon footprint.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Reliance to Buy Module Production Line from China’s SC Solar

<p>The Union Cabinet has approved the Ministry of New &amp; Renewable Energy&#8217;s (MNRE) proposal for the implementation of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program for the &#8216;National Program on High-Efficiency Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Modules,&#8217; to achieve gigawatt-scale manufacturing with an outlay of ₹45 billion (~$605 million).</p>
<p>Solar capacity addition depends largely on imported solar PV cells and modules as the domestic manufacturing industry has limited capacity.  The National Program on High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules will reduce import dependence in a strategic sector like electricity. It will also support the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant) initiative, according to the MNRE.</p>
<p>Solar PV manufacturers will be selected through a transparent, competitive bidding process. The incentive will be disbursed for five years after the solar PV manufacturing plants are commissioned, followed by the sales of high-efficiency solar PV modules.</p>
<p>Manufacturers will be rewarded for higher efficiencies of solar PV modules and sourcing their material from the domestic market. The PLI amount will increase with increased module efficiency and increased local value addition.</p>
<p>The benefits expected from the program are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>Additional 10,000 MW capacity of integrated solar PV manufacturing plants</li>
<li>Direct investment of around ₹172 billion (~$2.31 billion) in solar PV manufacturing projects</li>
<li>Demand of ₹172 billion (~$2.31 billion) over five years for &#8216;balance of materials&#8217;</li>
<li>Direct employment of 30,000 and indirect employment of about 120,000 workforce</li>
<li>Import substitution of around ₹172 billion (~$2.31 billion) every year</li>
<li>An incentive for research and development to achieve higher efficiency in solar PV modules.</li>
</ul>
<p>In November last year, the government had said in a notification that it would <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-gets-incentive-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allocate</a> ₹1.45 trillion (~$19.61 billion) for the ten critical sectors over the next five years. Some of these critical sectors include- high-efficiency solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery, and automobiles and auto components. The government will allocate ₹796.42 billion (~$10.75 billion) for these three sectors in the next five years.</p>
<p>The solar industry had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-manufacturers-seek-clarity-pli-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">welcomed</a> the PLI program and believed the initiative could change the face of domestic manufacturing. However, it had sought clarity on some issues regarding the criteria for utilizing the incentives.</p>
<p>Mercom’s flagship event <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-summit-india-virtual-solar-event/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Solar Summit</a>, to be held virtually on April 8th and 9th, has an exclusive session to discuss ‘<a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-summit-india-virtual-solar-event/agenda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solar Modules to Make or Not to Make in India?</a>’. You can <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-solar-summit-india-virtual-solar-event/register/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a> to register for the event. The discussion will revolve around how Indian manufacturers are gearing up to set up new production units backed by duties and a production-linked incentive program.</p>


Production-Linked Incentive Program for Solar Cells and Modules Approved

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