Weekend Read: New turf for thin films
Thin-film technologies have long promised to make a major impact on the solar industry but have largely been constrained to niche applications and research labs if they were not shredded by the market. After several false starts, current trade dynamics and promising research programs may help solar thin films find their place in the sun.
Passive solar module cooling tech based on water sorption
South Korean scientists have developed a WD-ER cooling system that can lower the operating temperature of a PV panel by up to 14.9 C, with an average heat transfer coefficient of 64.1 W/m2.
M10 wafer prices break 2-month hold slipping 0.6%
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.
Japanese consortium demonstrates transparent PV windows in indoor environment
Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG), Japan’s largest glassmaker, plans to show photovoltaic windows developed by its US unit, Ubiquitous Energy, at a train station in Japan. The windows feature a transparent photovoltaic coating with an invisible element of power generation, capable of absorbing non-visible wavelengths.
Antimony trisulfide PV cell hits 4.9% efficiency with fluorene-based HTMs
An international research group used the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) method to fabricate an antimony trisulfide PV cell with high power conversion efficiency and remarkable average visible transmittance. The cell has an active area of 7.06 mm2.
Study shows n-type bifacial TOPCon cells more prone to degradation than p-type
Dutch scientists have reported higher degradation risk for n-type TOPCon cells with EVA encapsulant due to potential moisture degradation. Front-side metallization makes n-type cells more vulnerable than p-type cells, according to damp heat tests.
Enel finalizing site for 3 GW solar panel and cell factory in Oklahoma
The U.S. manufacturing site will start with 3 GW of production capacity, with plans to double to 6 GW.
Photovoltaics for conveyor belts
Sinn Power and Recom have installed a 1 km-long PV system on a conveyor belt at a German gravel plant, using Sinn Power’s custom aluminum structure for conveyor belt applications.
South Korean startup offers portable, combinable solar chargers
Hanvixolar says four solar modules require about 5 hours of charging time to fully charge a smartphone. The mini panels use interdigitated back-contact solar cells from US manufacturer Maxeon.
India’s Cosmic PV Power builds 600 MW solar module factory
India’s Cosmic PV Power says it expects to start production from its second 600 MW factory by June, bringing its total solar panel manufacturing capacity to 850 MW.
