‘Polysilicon shortage will continue through 2021’
The latest global PV industry outlook published by trade group SolarPower Europe, has indicated tight supply of the solar panel raw material is expected to persist this year but the trade body said it would be unlikely to drive further price rises.
NASA developing 10 kW movable PV array for moon mission
NASA plans to place a solar array on a tall mast to avoid lunar shading and capture uninterrupted light. It will hang a pair of PV cell blankets from a horizontal cross arm supported by the mast, anchored to a deployable tripod base.
REC unveils second generation of its N-Peak solar module
The manufacturer plans to start production of the performance-enhanced solar modules in August. The first customers should then receive the products in October.
Vikram Solar opens 1.3 GW mono PERC module factory
Vikram Solar has reached an overall module production capacity of 2.5 GW with the opening of a 1.3 GW fab in Chennai, India. The new facility will produce mono PERC modules with peak outputs of up to 640 W.
Longi claims 25.19% efficiency for p-type TOPCon solar cell
Longi’s 25.19% efficiency rating for its new p-type TOPCon solar cells, confirmed by the Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin, is reportedly a world record.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Linyang builds 2.4 GW solar-wind-storage project, Jolywood begins work on 16 GW TOPCon cell factory
Also, Wafer producer Zhonghuan Semiconductor has further reduced the prices of its products.
New tech may bring heterojunction solar cells based on p-type wafers closer to mass production
An Australian-Russian research group has developed a silicon heterojunction solar cell based on p-type gallium-doped wafers with an efficiency of 22.6% and an improved stability. The scientists are convinced that these wafers may become a mainstream solution for the SHJ segment within the next decade.
Mondragon Assembly launches new interconnection equipment for solar modules
The new machine is claimed to be suitable for the production of all kinds of PV module technologies currently available on the market.
Testing field for PV noise barriers
Two testing facilities for photovoltaic noise barriers are being built by a Belgian consortium. Their creators want to assess different PV technologies, reduce costs and plan large scale projects in Belgium, where land and policy constraints make the construction of ground-mounted PV plants almost impossible.
Solar module for floating PV from Hyundai
The bifacial panel has a power output of up to 485 W and an efficiency of up to 21%. It relies on a transparent backsheet and is encapsulated with polyolefin elastomer (POE).
