The state of EU renewables – Solar cell plans encouraging but heat pump market could go the same way as European PV did
The European Commission has published its second annual assessment of the competitiveness of the EU’s renewable energy technology industries, and it had a warning for policymakers about the trade balance trend being experienced by heat pump makers.
Solar panels host microbes that may be used for biotech applications
Scientists in Brazil have found that photovoltaic modules may be a repository of specialized microbes in tropical regions. According to them, these micro-organisms may be used in sunscreens, pigments for processed foods, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
Flexible perovskite solar cells ‘from lab to fab’
Scientists in Korea evaluated recent progress in the development of low cost, large scale processes for the production of perovskite solar cells on flexible substrates, finding that several challenges remain. The group recommends that research should focus on developing novel processes and materials for perovskite solar cell production, rather than adapting those already in use elsewhere.
Isomer passivation for a 21.4% efficient perovskite module
An international team of scientists trialled a new approach to passivating defects in perovskite solar cells. Using a tailored arrangement of atoms, the team was able to overcome challenges related to the formation of a two-dimensional perovskite layer on top of the active cell material, and reach 21.4% conversion efficiency for a 26cm² active area, which they claim as a record for a perovskite device of this size.
Shipping problems for First Solar but production line expansion is under way
The U.S. manufacturer has started building its third Ohio production base and has also begun ordering equipment to kit out its first factory in India.
USA Roundtables 2021 live blog: Thank you for attending!
Join pv magazine and solar industry leaders as we meet for the USA Roundtables 2021 today, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Two major deals for PV production equipment
JSG has sold several ingot furnaces to Shuangliang Eco-Energy and Jinchen Machinery will provide Yingli with production equipment totaling 3.5 GW.
Gallium arsenide nanowire solar cell with 7.7% efficiency
Norwegian scientists have developed a gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanowire solar cell that can be used as a top cell in a dual tandem cell with a bottom silicon cell. The device is claimed to be the most efficient single-junction GaAs nanowire solar cell grown on a silicon substrate so far.
New laser-cutting system for half-cut, shingled PV cells
German manufacturer 3-D Micromac said it has developed a new machine that can produce more than 6,000 wafers per hour. It is suitable for solar cells with temperature-sensitive coatings, or depositions such as heterojunction devices.
End-of-life management of solar PV waste in India
A new study proposes an ‘extended producer responsibility’ regulatory framework for end-of-life solar PV management in India.
