Chinese PV Industry Brief: Polysilicon prices edge higher, wafers flat
The upward trend of polysilicon prices continued this week, although by only 0.42%, with polysilicon producers keeping utilization rates between 46% and 80%, according to the CNMIA.
Corning, T1 Energy agree to U.S. domestic solar polysilicon, wafer supply deal
The partnership supports a full domestic energy supply chain from raw polysilicon to finished solar panels.
The impact of soldering flux on TOPCon solar cell degradation
UNSW researchers have investigated the impact of two types of soldering fluxes on TOPCon solar modules under damp heat conditions and have found that “no-clean” soldering fluxes can cause severe corrosion of front silver-aluminum contacts. The researchers have also found that denser metallisation structures and lower aluminium content improve corrosion resistance.
China solar cell rally stalls amid worsening margin squeeze
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.
China’s $7 billion consolidation plan may be reflected in prices in short time
China’s reported $7 billion plan to cut polysilicon overcapacity could prompt wafer makers to stockpile lower-cost material and push prices higher, with cell and module suppliers more willing to accept increases, Xin You, senior market analyst at S&P Global, tells pv magazine.
Scientists design lead-free 2T all-perovskite tandem solar cell with potential 28.22% efficiency
The proposed tandem features a wide bandgap antimony-doped Cs2AgBiBr6 (specifically Cs2AgBi0.75Sb0.25Br6) top cell and a narrow bandgap formamidinium tin iodide (FASnI3) bottom device.
pv magazine Homeowner Guide: Top tips and red flags to home solar
pv magazine is compiling a guide to home solar installations, aimed at those who are interested in installing but are new to the market and want to make an informed decision. We have spoken to associations, installers and industry specialists in major solar markets across the globe to compile best practice guidance and advice that aims to be applicable to home solar installations anywhere in the world. The first part of the series aims to help homeowners looking to embrace PV identify the best installers on the market.
US scientists claim 15-fold performance increase for solar thermoelectric generator
A research team have fabricated a solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) that is reportedly 15 times more efficient than current state-of-the-art devices by concentrating on the managing the hot and the cold sides of the device rather than its semiconductor materials.
Improving roll-to-roll slot-die coating via machine learning
University of Sheffield researchers developed a machine learning framework to improve coating properties in a roll-to-roll slot die coating process. The work is seen as an initial step toward broader use of machine learning and related technologies to assist with optimization.
SolarStratos reaches 8,224 m height
Swiss pilot Raphaël Domjan flew the SolarStratos solar-powered aircraft to 8,224 meters on Aug. 10, setting a personal record but falling short of the 9,235-meter world mark held by Solar Impulse.
