The transition to back contact follows market trend toward long-term solar project sustainability
Module quality, reliability, and proven field performance are at the core of bankability assessments and investment decisions for solar PV projects, according to Chao Jia, President of LONGi Europe for DG. He says this is why advanced module technologies like back contact are gaining relevance.
Maxwell claims 26.92% efficiency for heterojunction solar cell
The Chinese PV equipment provider said the result was certified by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin (ISFH). The cell was fabricated with Maxwell’s in-house heterojunction production-line equipment and an end-to-end process flow.
New surface texturing boosts TOPCon solar cell efficiency by 1%
Chinese researchers have demonstrated a single-step submicron structured surface texturing process that improved the absolute efficiency of a TOPCon solar cell by 1% through broadband anti-reflection and lower electrical resistance. The cell-level performance was validated in laboratory and outdoor tests.
U.S.-India trade deal reduces solar tariffs
Tariff reductions under the new U.S.-India trade agreement lower import costs for solar modules and energy storage components. Reciprocal tariffs were effectively reduced from 50% to 18%.
WTO finds US clean energy tax credits violate trade rules
The WTO ruled that U.S. clean energy tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act violate international trade rules by giving domestic products preferential treatment over Chinese goods. The decision specifically targets the ITC and PTC Domestic Content Bonus Credits.
The optimal fixed tilt, azimuth angles for bifacial PV in Saudi Arabia
A new bifacial PV optimization model for 18 Saudi Arabian cities identifies optimal tilt and azimuth, showing rear-side irradiance can boost annual energy yield by 8–12 % and shifts tilt 3°–11° higher than monofacial modules. The framework validates previous studies, highlights high- and low-performing locations, and serves as an early-stage planning tool before detailed project simulations.
NREL researchers quantify UV-induced degradation levels in TOPCon solar cells
Researchers at NREL found that UV exposure can cause significant, partly non-recoverable degradation in TOPCon solar cells, with strong cell-to-cell and intra-cell variability linked to passivation and processing inconsistencies. While some UV-related losses recover quickly under light and are unlikely to affect field performance, the findings highlight gaps in current qualification tests and the need for improved UV aging standards.
Silver price drops sharply, falls back below $80 an ounce
After hitting an all-time high of $121.65/oz on Jan. 29, silver prices have tumbled to $79.44/oz, with analysts warning of a potential drop toward $50/oz.
Reducing PV module temperature with leaf vein–inspired fins
Researchers in Iraq have developed biomimetic leaf vein–inspired fins for photovoltaic panels, with reticulate (RET) venation reducing panel temperature by 33.6 C and boosting efficiency by 18% using passive cooling. Their study combines 3D CFD simulations and electrical evaluations to optimize fin geometry, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional cooling methods.
UNSW researchers identify new damp heat-induced failure mechanism in TOPCon solar modules
UNSW researchers identified a new damp-heat degradation mechanism in TOPCon modules with laser-fired contacts, driven primarily by rear-side recombination and open-circuit voltage loss rather than series-resistance increase. The study highlights that magnesium in white EVA encapsulants accelerates degradation, guiding improved encapsulant and backsheet selection for more reliable modules in humid environments.
