Inside PV Manufacturing: Midsummer’s CIGS factory in Italy
The Swedish thin-film solar specialist produces 50 MW of modules at its Bari facility, using its proprietary DUO system for cell manufacturing. The company says it sources all materials from the EU and other countries in the global North.
Saatvik Green Energy enters transformer manufacturing
Indian solar manufacturer Saatvik Green Energy has acquired an 80% stake in Jaipur-based Melcon Transformers and Electricals, expanding into power transmission equipment. The move strengthens its position in a segment closely tied to India’s growing renewable energy sector.
Fraunhofer ISE develops colored film tech for patterned solar modules
Scientists at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have created a film-based system that applies color patterns and cutouts to PV modules using the institute’s MorphoColor technology, enabling modules to imitate roof tiles, masonry, and facades with around 5% efficiency loss.
Manufacturing partnership brings new PV technology to U.S.-sourced solar
Solx’s Aurora hybrid module with Caelux’s perovskite glass aims to compete on performance beyond federal tax sunsets.
Trina Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar launch China’s first PV patent pool for TOPCon technologies
China’s solar industry has launched its first TOPCon-focused patent pool, led by Trina Solar, JA Solar, and JinkoSolar, to streamline licensing, reduce disputes, and strengthen IP coordination at home and abroad.
Inside PV Manufacturing: Belga Solar’s module factory in Belgium
In the latest article of a new series on solar manufacturing facilities around the world, pv magazine presents Belga Solar’s solar manufacturing facility in Wallonia, Belgium.
Dutch buildings could host 36 GW of façade solar capacity
A new report from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) estimates that building façades could offer up to 36 GW of technical solar PV potential, representing a significant but largely untapped resource. However, high costs, regulatory complexity, and lower performance compared to rooftop systems limit widespread adoption, currently making façade PV a niche solution for specific building types.
Rethinking silver paste design for TOPCon, LECO solar cells
Researchers in China have developed an evaluation framework to better assess fine-line silver pastes for TOPCon and LECO solar cells. The approach links laboratory characterization directly with production-line performance, addressing the limitations of conventional evaluation methods.
No evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels, study finds
Researchers in the United States reviewed claims about PFAS in solar panels and found that while fluoropolymers may be used in limited components like backsheets or coatings, there is no confirmed evidence of PFAS leaching from commercially deployed modules. The study highlights widespread confusion between different PFAS types and emphasizes the need for clearer communication and transparency around fluoropolymer use in PV technologies.
U.S. startups announce partnership to offer domestic perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules
Solx and Caelux said they will supply 3 GW of Solx Aurora modules, which combine domestic silicon cells from Suniva and a top layer of Caelux “Active Glass” to reach 28% efficiency, with commercial volumes available in the U.S. market by 2027.
