Italy’s Enea testing highly UV-transparent encapsulants
The Italian research agency has tested new UV aging tests on solar PV mini-modules made with UV-transparent polyolefins encapsulants and has found that thermal and chemical stability benefits in thermoplastic polyolefin-based (TPO) compared to EVA encapsulants.
Sinovoltaics updates map of North American solar supply chain
The North American manufacturing hub has added several new producers across the PV module supply chain but analysts see continued cell, wafer, and polysilicon capacity constraints. The report is based on announcements of capacities at sites in the region producing PV modules, cells, wafers, ingots, polysilicon, and metallurgical-grade silicon.
Strategies to reduce perovskite solar cell degradation caused by thermal stress
An international team investigated repeated thermal stress on metal-halide perovskite solar cells and has proposed strategies to boost resistance to degradation effects of diurnal cycles or geographical conditions.
Ecuador could host floating PV facilities at 11 hydropower plants
An international team has researched the potential to deploy floating photovoltaics at hydroelectric stations in Ecuador, finding 11 out of 70 sites that could host at least 15 MW up to 200 MW.
Sinovoltaics provides update to PV inverter manufacturer ranking
The Hong Kong-based consulting firm’s latest financial stability ranking based on Altman-Z scores sees Hoymiles, Eaton, and APSystems (Yuneng Technology) in the top three positions.
U.S. startup unveils highly automated, low-waste solar panel recycling tech
PV Circonomy, based in California, has launched a recycling and treatment service for end-of-life (EoL) silicon PV panels based on a highly-automated, proprietary technology that reportedly has a 99.3% recovery rate. The solution includes the recovery of EVA and glass material for use in other industries.
Indian scientists design 31.16%-efficient 2D-3D perovskite solar cell
Scientists in India have simulated a novel perovskite solar cell that combinies a Dion-Jacobson 2D layer with a 3D halide perovskite. The design showed improved stability compared to reference cells without the DJ-2D layer.
Water-based recycling of perovskite solar cells
An international team has developed a new technique to recycle perovskite solar cells (PSC) made on glass substrates using a water-based solution. Tests showed that the recycled cells were as efficient and stable as the original devices.
Organic-inorganic perovskite cell relying on furan-based polymer achieves 21.39% efficiency
Researchers in Singapore used a biomass-derived polymer to increase the efficiency of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cell. The cell was also found to obtain a 90% efficiency retention after 1,100 hours, which compares to 52% for benchmark cells designed without the proposed polymer.
Reducing fuel consumption in shipping with wind-solar retrofits
A European consortium is applying wind-solar hybrid and tilting wing technology as modular refits of in-service long-distance cargo vessels in an effort to reduce fuel consumption.
