Emiliano Bellini
BIPV likely linked to recent fire at Brussels’ first net-zero building
A fire broke out at Brussels’ first net-zero energy structure, the Treurenberg building, in late October. The blaze, likely caused by building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels on the facade, led to an evacuation, with no injuries reported.
Open-source tool to eliminate redundant engineering costs in rooftop PV deployment
Researchers in Canada have developed an open-access online tool that reportedly helps homeowners achieve considerable savings in deploying rooftop PV systems. The tool is claimed to offer accurate structural engineering calculations while ensuring compliance with building codes.
Panama preps for first solar-plus-storage event
Panama will host its first solar-plus-storage event, RE+ Centroamérica, on Dec. 4 and 5 at the Panama Convention Center in Panama City.
Longi unveils heterojunction BC solar cells with 27.3% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer said the device is based on dense passivating contacts that reduce parasitic light absorption and improve passivation. It used a streamlined manufacturing technique that is reportedly about one-third more effective than TOPCon mainstream technology.
Dutch parliament approves end of net metering in 2027
Trade body Holland Solar says the Dutch parliament has approved eliminating net metering in 2027, giving the solar sector clarity to move forward.
Nine-year EL testing on 85,000 PV modules shows increasing presence of edge ribbon cracks
A UK research team used electroluminescence imaging to inspect 167 PV installations comprising a total of 5 million solar cells. Defects were categorized into into line cracks, complex cracks, edge-ribbon cracks, and potential-Induced degradation (PID).
‘Typhoon-resistant’ offshore PV project nears completion in China
China Three Gorges Corp. has nearly completed a 180 MW offshore solar plant, designed for typhoon resistance, off the coast of China.
KRICT sets world record with 20.6% efficiency for large-area perovskite cells
The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) has set a world record for power conversion efficiency at 20.6% for large-area perovskite solar cells exceeding 200 cm². The result, confirmed by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE), marks a significant milestone in solar cell technology.
Indium-free chalcopyrite solar cell achieves 12.25% efficiency
Japanese scientists have developed a wide-bandgap chalcopyrite solar cell that can reportedly achieve high open-circuit voltage and fill factor values. The device is intended for use in top cell applications in tandem devices.
Solar modules now selling for less than €0.06/W in Europe
Solar module prices reached a new low this week, says Leen van Bellen, business development manager Europe for Search4Solar, a European purchasing and selling platform for solar products. He tells pv magazine that prices will remain low in the short term.
