Global solar module prices stable-to-soft as markets absorb news of U.S. election, policy changes
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Solar panel price drop in November may mark end of downward trend
Martin Schachinger, founder of pvXchange.com, says the 8% price drop in November for solar modules could mark the end of sustained declines, as market signals are pointing to a possible recovery.
China issues stricter investments rules for PV manufacturing
China has tightened investment rules for PV manufacturing, raising the minimum capital ratio for starting projects from 20% to 30%, according to new standardized guidelines announced by the government.
Trina Solar claims record-breaking efficiency of 26.58% for TOPCon solar cell
Trina Solar says it has achieved a record efficiency of 26.58% for a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell. The Chinese manufacturer says Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) has independently verified the result.
Balloon-integrated PV system for emergency power needs at low altitude
Researchers in China have created a balloon-integrated photovoltaic system that reportedly represents a feasible solution for emergency PV power generation in mid-to-high latitudes. It consists of a customized balloon, 19%-efficient thin-film cadmium telluride solar cells, an exhaust valve, control and storage modules, fixed ropes, and a cord reel, as well as an upper hemisphere and a lower arc surface.
Inkjet printed formamidinium tin-lead perovskite cell with 10.26% efficiency
Researchers from Germany and India have demonstrated an inkjet printing method to fabricate formamidinium tin-lead perovskite solar cells, achieving 10.26% power conversion efficiency and a 1.25 eV energy bandgap.
All solar cell efficiencies at a glance – updated
The research group led by Professor Martin Green has published Version 65 of the solar cell efficiency tables. There are 17 new results reported in the new version.
Barcelona testing PV shade canopies
The Barcelona City Council is piloting two solar system prototypes designed to provide shade, generate power, and filter air.
Colombian researchers design agrivoltaic system with hydroponic towers
Colombian researchers have designed an agrivoltaic system integrating hydroponic growing towers. The modular array, consisting of stackable 20 cm rings, creates a structure up to 2.5 meters tall, optimized for cultivating approximately 80 plants per square meter.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on indium oxide buffer layer achieves 30.04% efficiency
Researchers in China have fabricated a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell that utilizes an indium oxide sputtering buffer layer to protect the perovskite absorber and the electron transport layer from potential damages arising from the electrode deposition process. The new layer not only ensured this protection but also showed strong optical and electrical properties.
