Nickel powder optimization cuts TOPCon solar cell metallization costs by 6.8% without compromising efficiency
Researchers at Australia’s UNSW, in collaboration with SunDrive and Shenzhen APG, have demonstrated that replacing part of the silver with nickel in TOPCon solar cell rear metallization can reduce raw-metal costs by 6.8% with almost no efficiency loss. Their findings show that nickel powder characteristics and paste consumption are key to achieving cost-effective silver substitution.
1 minute ago
Haitian Water plans $118 million solar silver paste facility in China
Chinese environmental services and photovoltaic materials company Haitian Water Group plans to invest CNY 800 million ($118 million) in a solar conductive silver paste research and manufacturing facility in Sichuan province, following its acquisition of Heraeus’ photovoltaic paste business.
15 minutes ago
Aermec presents high-temperature water-to-water heat pumps with up to 889 kW heating capacity
Italian heating and cooling specialist Aermec has introduced two high-temperature water-to-water heat pump series for commercial and industrial applications. The HWSG_H and WFGN_H ranges deliver water temperatures of up to 80 C and 85 C, respectively, with heating capacities ranging from approximately 145 kW to 889 kW.
44 minutes ago
France deploys 4.18 GW of solar in first nine months of 2026 as residential market contracts
French distribution system operator Enedis recorded 4.18 GW of new solar PV grid connections in the first nine months of 2026, down slightly from 4.34 GW in the same period of 2025. While overall capacity additions remained relatively stable, the number of new installations fell by 36%, reflecting a sharp contraction in the residential and small commercial segments.
1 hour ago
Colombia’s PV capacity tops 2.59 GW
Colombia added 607.32 MW of solar capacity in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 87% of all new generation capacity commissioned during the period. Solar now represents 11.7% of the country’s total installed power generation capacity, according to grid operator XM.
1 hour ago
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Start of spring in Australia brings stark divides between east and west
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Australia’s first month of spring brought above average irradiance to the country’s east, while the west experienced widespread irradiance deficits.
Oct 30, 2026
What 11 islands reveal about the real bottleneck in renewable mini-grids
An IEA-PVPS report examining 11 islands finds that achieving nearly 100% renewable electricity depends as much on strong leadership, community engagement, financing and early planning as on technology. While proven technical solutions vary widely, successful transitions require tailored grid design and sustained institutional support, making replication especially challenging for smaller, remote and lower-income islands.
Oct 29, 2026
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Jetson unveils heat pump water heater with efficiency factor of up to 4.0
Canada-based Jetson Home has introduced a residential heat pump water heater with a uniform energy factor (UEF) of up to 4.0 and storage capacities ranging from 189 to 303 liters. The system features electric backup heating, integrated smart controls, and a claimed 75% reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional electric water heaters.
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Flexing their intelligence
The conversation around US data centers and the huge amounts of energy they require typically focuses on how challenging it is for developers to secure grid connections. But access to power is only one piece of the puzzle. A more lasting issue is the impact data centers have on the power grid after they connect. AI hyperscalers, battery makers, software companies, utilities, and grid operators have different commercial interests when it comes to data center flexibility, but share a common interest in making AI compute more energy-efficient. The more useful AI compute that can be delivered per watt, the better. But achieving true flexibility depends on clean power, not diesel generators, as is often the case.
4 hours ago
Quality at gigawatt scale
India is currently expanding its solar manufacturing capacity at an unprecedented pace, establishing gigawatt-scale cell and module production to meet growing demand. But how can quality and long-term reliability be assured while maintaining such a fast-paced buildout?
Nov 03, 2026
End-of-life is just the beginning
After decommissioning, a used solar module can take hundreds of different pathways. Different policies, technologies, and capabilities make each recycling process one of a kind. And the optimal route can differ greatly depending on regional issues and other factors.
Nov 02, 2026
Indian PV at a turning point
As module manufacturing capacity outpaces domestic demand, India’s solar industry is entering a new phase, where vertical integration, disciplined investment, higher utilization and access to new markets will be critical for sustaining growth. Uma Gupta reports.
Oct 31, 2026
Forecasting growth
India’s expanding utility-scale solar fleet is creating a growing need for accurate generation forecasts. Yet the country does not have one uniform specification for every project. The requirements depend on the connection point, the responsible scheduling entity, and the rules issued by central or state regulators. For forecasting providers, this makes India a sizable market, but one that requires detailed project-by-project implementation, as Reuniwatt’s Hannah Bergler explains.
Oct 30, 2026
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France deploys 4.18 GW of solar in first nine months of 2026 as residential market contracts
French distribution system operator Enedis recorded 4.18 GW of new solar PV grid connections in the first nine months of 2026, down slightly from 4.34 GW in the same period of 2025. While overall capacity additions remained relatively stable, the number of new installations fell by 36%, reflecting a sharp contraction in the residential and small commercial segments.
1 hour ago
Colombia’s PV capacity tops 2.59 GW
Colombia added 607.32 MW of solar capacity in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 87% of all new generation capacity commissioned during the period. Solar now represents 11.7% of the country’s total installed power generation capacity, according to grid operator XM.
1 hour ago
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Deye
22 hours ago
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Skyworth Solar
22 hours ago
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GoodWe
22 hours ago
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Dunext
22 hours ago
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Quality at gigawatt scale
India is currently expanding its solar manufacturing capacity at an unprecedented pace, establishing gigawatt-scale cell and module production to meet growing demand. But how can quality and long-term reliability be assured while maintaining such a fast-paced buildout?
Nov 03, 2026
Advertisement
Aermec presents high-temperature water-to-water heat pumps with up to 889 kW heating capacity
Italian heating and cooling specialist Aermec has introduced two high-temperature water-to-water heat pump series for commercial and industrial applications. The HWSG_H and WFGN_H ranges deliver water temperatures of up to 80 C and 85 C, respectively, with heating capacities ranging from approximately 145 kW to 889 kW.
44 minutes ago
Vaillant unveils 20 kW propane heat pump for large buildings
The German heating technology manufacturer said its new air-to-water heat pump has heating capacities of 15 kW and 20 kW. The R290-based monobloc system reportedly achieves a coefficient of performance of up to 5.66 and delivers supply temperatures of up to 75 C.
23 hours ago
Longi unveils 690 W back-contact solar module with 25.54% efficiency
Longi has introduced its Hi-MO X12 back-contact solar modules, featuring an integrated conductive backsheet that replaces conventional soldered ribbons with metal foil circuits. The company claims the design eliminates more than 15,000 potential solder-joint failure points per module, improves current-carrying capacity and increases power output by 6 W to 8 W.
Nov 02, 2026
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Flexing their intelligence
The conversation around US data centers and the huge amounts of energy they require typically focuses on how challenging it is for developers to secure grid connections. But access to power is only one piece of the puzzle. A more lasting issue is the impact data centers have on the power grid after they connect. AI hyperscalers, battery makers, software companies, utilities, and grid operators have different commercial interests when it comes to data center flexibility, but share a common interest in making AI compute more energy-efficient. The more useful AI compute that can be delivered per watt, the better. But achieving true flexibility depends on clean power, not diesel generators, as is often the case.
4 hours ago
Haitian Water plans $118 million solar silver paste facility in China
Chinese environmental services and photovoltaic materials company Haitian Water Group plans to invest CNY 800 million ($118 million) in a solar conductive silver paste research and manufacturing facility in Sichuan province, following its acquisition of Heraeus’ photovoltaic paste business.
15 minutes ago
France deploys 4.18 GW of solar in first nine months of 2026 as residential market contracts
French distribution system operator Enedis recorded 4.18 GW of new solar PV grid connections in the first nine months of 2026, down slightly from 4.34 GW in the same period of 2025. While overall capacity additions remained relatively stable, the number of new installations fell by 36%, reflecting a sharp contraction in the residential and small commercial segments.
1 hour ago
Colombia’s PV capacity tops 2.59 GW
Colombia added 607.32 MW of solar capacity in the third quarter of 2026, accounting for 87% of all new generation capacity commissioned during the period. Solar now represents 11.7% of the country’s total installed power generation capacity, according to grid operator XM.
1 hour ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Flexing their intelligence
The conversation around US data centers and the huge amounts of energy they require typically focuses on how challenging it is for developers to secure grid connections. But access to power is only one piece of the puzzle. A more lasting issue is the impact data centers have on the power grid after they connect. AI hyperscalers, battery makers, software companies, utilities, and grid operators have different commercial interests when it comes to data center flexibility, but share a common interest in making AI compute more energy-efficient. The more useful AI compute that can be delivered per watt, the better. But achieving true flexibility depends on clean power, not diesel generators, as is often the case.
4 hours ago
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Japanese developer switches on solar-plus-storage plant with 327% oversizing ratio
Sun Village has commissioned a solar-plus-storage plant with a 327% DC/AC oversizing ratio, combining 163.2 kW of PV capacity with 253.3 kWh of battery storage. The DC-coupled system is designed to capture surplus solar generation and extend electricity exports into the evening and nighttime hours.
Nov 03, 2026
Equator Renewables Asia unveils 250 kW containerized PV system
Singapore-based Equator Renewables Asia has developed a modular, relocatable PV system featuring up to 250 kW of solar capacity in a 40-foot shipping container. The plug-and-play solution uses n-type TOPCon bifacial modules and can be deployed by two workers in approximately two to three hours, according to the company.
Nov 02, 2026
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End-of-life is just the beginning
After decommissioning, a used solar module can take hundreds of different pathways. Different policies, technologies, and capabilities make each recycling process one of a kind. And the optimal route can differ greatly depending on regional issues and other factors.
Nov 02, 2026
Nickel powder optimization cuts TOPCon solar cell metallization costs by 6.8% without compromising efficiency
Researchers at Australia’s UNSW, in collaboration with SunDrive and Shenzhen APG, have demonstrated that replacing part of the silver with nickel in TOPCon solar cell rear metallization can reduce raw-metal costs by 6.8% with almost no efficiency loss. Their findings show that nickel powder characteristics and paste consumption are key to achieving cost-effective silver substitution.
1 minute ago
Chinese scientists develop self-powered PV-TEG system for hotspot detection, thermal management
Researchers in China have developed a self-powered PV-TEG system that combines hotspot detection, passive cooling, and wireless monitoring. Outdoor tests showed a hotspot localization error of 9.93 mm, a temperature reduction of up to 7.7 C, and approximately 45 wireless transmissions over 10 hours.
2 hours ago
Planar heat pipes reduce peak temperatures by up to 32 C in PV cooling tests
An international research team has tested five planar heat pipe designs for PV module cooling, achieving peak surface temperature reductions of 8 C to 32 C. The researchers estimated that active water cooling could increase annual electricity generation by 2.2% to 3.6% under conditions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
23 hours ago
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Deye
22 hours ago
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Skyworth Solar
22 hours ago
Press Release
GoodWe
22 hours ago
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Dunext
22 hours ago
Technology & Products
Sponsored
Sunkean advances copper-to-aluminum jumpers for PV DC systems
The manufacturer has developed a copper-to-aluminum jumper solution for PV DC-side applications, addressing conductor material costs, field installation efficiency, and the long-term reliability of copper-to-aluminum connections in utility-scale solar projects.
Oct 28, 2026
Technology & Products
Sponsored
Sigenergy launches the SigenCube C&I BESS
With a 30% reduction in overall footprint, support for heavy industrial machinery during critical surges, and noise levels below 60 dB at one meter, the system is designed to address the core challenges of commercial deployments.
Oct 27, 2026
Technology & Products
Sponsored
LONGi unveils intelligent manufacturing base in Suzhou to advance solar-storage integration
The new base features upgraded manufacturing capabilities that reduce fault-related downtime losses by 75% and shorten the time needed to close quality issues by more than 50%.
Oct 22, 2026
Technology & Products
Sponsored
SAJ Electric builds global image with “Relentless Energy” at its core
SAJ Electric is making a deliberate strategic shift from selling products overseas to building a global brand that is competitive beyond price. It’s recent activities in Australia illustrate the shift.
Oct 09, 2026
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