CSP Science

The hotter solar cells become, the less efficient they are at converting sunlight to electricity, a problem that has long vexed the solar industry. Now, Stanford engineers have developed a transparent overlay that increases efficiency by cooling the cells even in full sunlight.

The Surface Engineering Division of the Bengaluru-based Indian National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has developed a new sputtered absorber coating, which could be applied to 6" stainless steel tubes of Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plants once the technology has passed the laboratory stage. A Magnetron sputtering process is used to cover the surface with the TiAlN/TiAlON/Si3N4 tandem coating. 

Engineering for the key pumping system at Ouarzazate CSP plant (also known as Noor I) in Morocco and Bokpoort CSP plant in South Africa, has been completed and pumps manufacturing is undergoing.

Scientists at Fraunhofer ISE are investigating the ageing of solar collectors and their components under extreme climatic conditions in the Negev Desert in Israel.

Just in time for MENASOL 2014 in Dubai - where Rayspower is a sponsor & exhibitor - the China-based company has completed an initial test report on parabolic trough mirrors together with the DLR in Germany.