UK researchers developing new type of cadmium telluride PV panels for space applications
A team of UK researchers is working on lightweight cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar devices for space arrays. The aim is to develop 20%-efficient ultra-thin devices to provide lightweight, compact, lower cost solar power for satellites and space-based manufacturing applications.
Bottom-up cost model for perovskite solar module manufacturing
Scientists in Switzerland have conducted techno-economic analysis of perovskite solar module manufacturing costs in terms of levelized cost of energy and have found that these products could be competitive in the Alpine country provided that they achieve an efficiency of over 24% with a lifespan of 20 years and over 20% with a lifecycle of 30 years.
Improving perovskite solar cell efficiency, sustainability with micro-concentrators
Researchers in Italy are tackling two metal halide perovskite solar PV challenges, reduce the use of lead and extend stability of the power conversion efficiency, in a novel combination of micro-concentrators and picosecond laser processing.
Risen Energy hits 740 W average for mass-produced HJT solar module
Risen Energy says it has achieved an average power output of 740 W for its mass-produced heterojunction (HJT) solar module, with certified cell efficiency of 26.61% and module efficiency of 24.81%, according to China’s Fujian Metrology Institute. Encapsulation losses were limited to 1.8%.
German castle now hosting brick-red PV system
A castle in Bavaria, Germany, has installed a brick-red PV system using colored solar modules from Italy-based FuturaSun. The project was enabled by a recent amendment to Bavaria’s Monument Protection Act, allowing solar on heritage buildings.
Perovskite solar cell testing in underwater environments shows surprising efficiency results
Researchers in Italy have tested how perovskite solar cells could perform underwater and have found that, at very shallow depths, they may even achieve a higher power conversion efficiencies compared to reference devices operating under out-of-water conditions.
SolarStations.org: Mapping the future of solar resource assessment
IEA PVPS Task 16 recently introduced SolarStations.org, a global catalogue of solar irradiance monitoring stations designed for researchers, developers, and policymakers. This openly available resource catalogues more than 800 multi-component stations –of which more than 400 are currently active – offering a comprehensive view of high-quality ground-based solar data.
WorldOne Energies to set up 1 GW solar module factory in Canada
WorldOne Energies has announced plans to build a 1 GW solar module factory in Ontario, Canada, marking a major step in its global expansion beyond India. The facility will produce tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) bifacial modules and cater to the North American market.
Swiss researchers seek to simplify TOPCon cell production with single-step annealing process
A Swiss research team has developed a novel single-step annealing process for tunnel oxide passivating contact (TOPCon) solar cells. Demonstrating the approach, the scientists built a proof-of-concept TOPCon device with a 21% efficiency.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Kaisheng New Energy plans new solar glass factory
Kaisheng New Energy says it plans to build a 2,000-ton-per-day photovoltaic glass plant in Zigong, Sichuan province.
