Zebra IBC cell with 24% efficiency moves to large-scale production
Netherlands based manufacturer Energyra this week introduced a new back contact module, which it has developed in partnership with Dutch research institute TNO and Germany’s ISC Konstanz. A prototype module was unveiled yesterday in a small presentation at Energyra’s factory in Zaandam, Netherlands. The company is targeting large-scale manufacturing by the end of 2020.
Hanwha Q Cells to offer its most powerful panels in Europe
The South Korean PV manufacturers is bringing its three most powerful solar panels to Europe. All of them are based on its Q.antum Duo Z tech, which reduces the gaps between cells and drives up module efficiency by 4% in relative terms.
Light and shade of 500 W plus solar panels – part IV
In the fourth and final article of a series, pv magazine editor Pilar Sánchez Molina analyzes with industry experts challenges and opportunities created by new panels with power output exceeding 500 W.
Machine-learning for PV module cleaning
French researchers have developed a machine-learning model to clean low-power PV projects and standalone solar arrays in rural areas isolated from the grid.
Giant agrivoltaic project in China
The Baofeng Group is building a 1 GW solar park which is hosting a goji berry plantation in the Binhe New District on the eastern banks of the Yellow River in the Ningxia Province. Around 640 MW have so far been grid-connected. Huawei is providing the inverters for the project.
Inverted pyramid-based PERC solar cell with 21.4% efficiency
A Chinese research group has developed a PERC cell on a commercial 180-μm-thick monocrystalline silicon wafer with a standard size of 156 × 156 mm2. The cell has an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.677 V, a short short-circuit current (ISC) of 9.63 A, and a fill factor of 80.30%.
South Korea bets on tandem solar technologies
The South Korean government has released a new roadmap to support R&D activities in the solar sector. The document indicates the country’s solar manufacturing industry may be encouraged to opt for high-efficiency and expensive panels based on tandem solar cells.
Senegal introduces VAT exemption for off-grid solar products
The Senegalese government is aiming to increase access to solar power in rural areas by reducing VAT on PV panels, inverters, solar thermal collectors and other products in an effort to achieve universal electricity access in the country by 2025.
Light and shade of 500 W plus solar panels – part III
In the third article in a series, pv magazine editor Pilar Sánchez Molina and industry experts continue their discussion on the challenges and opportunities created by new panels with power output exceeding 500 W.
Organic solar module with 14.4% efficiency
Scientists in China have developed an organic module with an area of 18 cm2 based on a non-fullerene acceptor called DTY6. The device has a certified efficiency of 13.98%, but when a non-halogen solvent was used, it even reached 16.1%.
