Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

EDF Renewables has decided to shut down all operations of French PV module manufacturer Photowatt, following the failure of its planned acquisition by Carbon.

University of New South Wales (UNSW) researchers have set a new energy efficiency record for kesterite solar cells, a technology with potential to enhance silicon-based PV systems.

A research team has constructed a technical field audit among users of solar systems in remote communities in Ghana and has identified some recurring technical issues. Based on the collected data, the scientists have also developed a practical field manual.

The researchers built the cell with a hole transport layer (HTL) based on PEDOT:PSS and were reportedly able to reduce the losses caused by this compound with the utilization of a thiocyanate additive. The champion lab-sized device achieved an open circuit voltage of 0.875 V, a short circuit current density of 31.84 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 83.23%.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have used a 1 µm copper plating layer on the front silver grid of a TOPCon solar cell to create a protective barrier that reportedly reduces corrosion susceptibility. The cell showed significantly lower contaminant-induced degradation that unprotected reference devices.

China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) has issued final regulations for distributed solar power, replacing 2013 interim rules with comprehensive standards for project lifecycles.

The patent lawsuit, filed at Japan’s Tokyo District Court, is JinkoSolar’s second case of legal action against Longi this year, following a filing in China earlier this month.

Researchers have developed a novel energy system comprising PVT panels, reverse osmosis, reverse electrodialysis, and proton exchange membranes. The proposed setup can purportedly produce 18.78 kg/day of hydrogen and 120.6 m³/day of freshwater.

A European team is developing technologies and processes to show how end of life PV panels and electric vehicle (EV) batteries can be used in three distributed energy market segments: agrivoltaics, plug-in PV for households, and low-budget solutions. It will also demonstrate efficient recycling processes for critical raw materials recovered from panels and batteries that cannot be reused.

Fraunhofer ISE researchers have developed a new metallization process that can produce ultra-fine line contacts for solar cells. The proposed technique is based on the so-called LIDE technology and can reportedly help increase overall PV device efficiency.