High-pressure systems boost global solar irradiance in early 2025
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the first half of 2025 has delivered favourable solar conditions across several key solar generation regions around the globe, with many population centres experiencing above-average irradiance.
A closer look at vertical agrivoltaics
pv magazine visited a 1.9 MW agrivoltaic plant in Austria where pumpkins and soy are cultivated beneath vertically mounted PV structures supplied by Next2Sun.
China polysilicon price increases amid regulatory signals
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.
Four-year outdoor testing shows perovskite solar cells suffer from high seasonality
Testing conducted by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) in Germany has shown that perovskite solar cells operating at high latitudes in Europe may suffer from higher performance losses in winter compared to conventional PV devices. The scientists warned, however, that at lower latitudes this seasonality may be less pronounced.
NREL, CubicPV achieves 24% efficiency for perovskite mini solar module
A U.S.-based collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and CubicPV has yielded a perovskite minimodule with certified efficiency of 24.0%. The two noted that it is the first time a U.S. effort has set a record in the perovskite mini module category.
PVRadar launches Python programming tool to ease site-specific loss modeling
German software company PVRadar Labs has released a Python programming package for solar asset owners and engineers that want to build site-specific models.
France Solar enters liquidation
French solar installer France Solar has entered liquidation after failing to secure a buyer, following its placement in receivership on April 28.
First Solar to use quantum dots to boost module efficiency
Quantum dot technology promises to boost bifacial solar module output. The company entered into a supply agreement with specialist UbiQD.
Longi unveils 34.58%-efficient tandem perovskite-silicon solar cell based on asymmetric self-assembled monolayer
In a new scientific paper published in nature, the Chinese manufacturer presented a new tandem perovskite-silicon solar cell based on a bottom cell with a heterojunction design. It also used a new type of self-assembled monolayer that reportedly reduces non-radiative recombination and increases cell efficiency.
EU expresses reluctance on opex support for solar, cleantech manufacturers
The European Commission has told pv magazine that it will unlikely prioritize operating expenditure (opex) support for solar and clean technology manufacturers, citing concerns about potential market distortion, even as insolvencies rise across the European PV sector.
