Researchers at the Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea have announced the development of a method to produce perovskite solar cells, which the University says could contribute to commercialization of the technology.

A new white paper published by analysts at IHS Markit compares the electricity network with other key systems such as transport and data infrastructure. The report concludes that increasing the amount of electricity storage available could create a more flexible, efficient and reliable grid, and save billions of dollars each year.

PV equipment supplier Tempress has announced the beginning of construction on a 400 kW installation close to its headquarters in the Netherlands, which will be the largest in Europe to feature glass-glass bifacial modules.

Sichuan Yonxiang Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Chinese industrial giants Tongwei, has announced the creation of a joint venture with Longi Green Energy Technology. The joint venture plans to build a new polysilicon production plant in Sichuan Province, China, with an annual capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes.

German equipment supplier Asys today announced the launch of its new dual lane metallization line for crystalline silicon cell production, Alignus 1.5s. The line features a high level of automation, as part of the company’s Industry 4.0 approach, and aims to decrease cell metallization process times.

A research team from the SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre at Swansea University has developed a method that could lead to efficiency improvements in CZTS solar cells.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to Société de Production d’Energie Solaire de Kodéni SAS, a Burkina Faso based solar industry association. The grant will fund feasibility studies for two 17 MW PV plants to be located in the southwest of the country.

Japanese electronics company Ibiden, a major component supplier to Apple, will power all of its manufacturing for the U.S. tech giant with renewable energy. To meet this pledge, Ibiden will invest in solar projects with a total capacity of more than 12 MW, including one of Japan’s largest floating PV projects.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond made no mention of solar energy in today’s Spring Budget Announcement. This leaves the UK’s rooftop solar segment facing a tax hike of up to 800% in the financial year beginning next month.

Chinese tier-1 solar manufacturer Yingli Green Energy today announced the formation of a committee of independent directors to assess the company’s situation. The committee will recommend strategic improvements and alternatives, in order to improve Yingli’s debt structure.