Author
Valerie Thompson
Valerie Thompson is a technology journalist based in Zurich, with over 20 years of experience. She rejoined pv magazine in 2023 to cover upstream PV news and trends, as well as supporting the events team with content.
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Articles written by Valerie Thompson
Enhancing PV glazing prospects in solar architecture
To make it easier to adopt building integrated PV (BIPV) as a glazing material, a group within the IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) has tackled the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) calculation for BIPV. It is part of IEA PVPS Task 15 international standardization efforts.
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Titanium makes perovskite solar cells more durable
After finding a way to make spiro-OMeTAD, a popular perovskite solar cell hole transport layer, less prone to heat-induced crystallization, researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology are now seeking partners to scale the technology for large-area PV cells.
Gas quenching with helium, argon for more stable perovskite solar cells
Kuwait University researchers investigated the relationship between the molecular weight of the quenching gas and the morphology of perovskite films used in solar cells, finding that argon and helium extended device lifetimes compared to using the more conventional nitrogen.
Chinese scientists build 20.3%-efficient mini inverted perovskite solar modules via slot die coating
A team led by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) has found that pyrrodiazole as an additive in formamidinium iodide (FAI)-based inverted perovskite solar enables larger area devices made with industry-compatible slot die coating. Modules made using the technology achieved 20.3% certified power conversion efficiency and retained 94% of initial efficiency after 1,000 h in standard testing.
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UNSW develops PV panel recycling method that recovers cell metals for upcycling
UNSW researchers were able to recover silicon from end of life solar PV panels pure enough for re-use in silicon carbide-based devices. Their novel multi-step method which includes thermal and chemical processes, also recovers silver.
Power Roll developing 12.8%-efficient back-contact perovskite solar devices
Researchers from the U.K.’s University of Sheffield and Power Roll, a perovskite solar PV technology company, have achieved 12.8% power conversion efficiency in indium-free devices based on novel back-contact process. A slot-die coating process was demonstrated, compatible with roll-to-roll manufacturing.
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