Testing photovoltaic modules in Antarctica’s summer
The Turkish Antarctic Expedition placed four different PV module types – monocrystalline, polycrystalline, flexible and transparent – outside of their research camp for three months to compare performance, finding that monocrystalline was the clear winner.
India’s MNRE says imported silicon wafers do not meet domestic PV criteria
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has ruled that solar cells made with imported diffused silicon wafers, known as “blue wafers,” do not qualify for government programs requiring domestically manufactured PV cells.
US startup offers portable factory for ground-mounted PV plants
Charge Robotic’s portable factory system assembles solar equipment including tracks, mounting brackets and panels on-site and then puts it into place via an automated robotic vehicle. The company’s first commercial deployments are scheduled for this year.
New research shows degradation mechanisms in rear side of TOPCon solar cells
Researchers from UNSW and Longi have found that the silicon nitride layers used in TOPCon cell rear-side are particularly prone to chemical degradation from sodium contaminants. This can lead to significant open-circuit voltage losses and reduce cell efficiency.
Dutch consortium seeks to reduce costs of hole transport layers for perovskite solar cells
Two Dutch manufacturers have teamed with TNO’s perovskite solar cell experts to integrate spatial atomic layer deposition equipment to produce ultra-thin, high-quality nickel-oxide hole transport layers in a roll-to-roll process. The team targeting production integration in mid-2027, with full-scale production by 2030.
Pricing and technology trends for US solar panel resale market
A strong market exists for wholesale secondary market solar modules, says EnergyBin.
Fraunhofer ISE research finds solar module output ‘often overstated’
A longitudinal research project from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE reveals that since 2017, the institute has measured less power on average in a solar module than promised by the manufacturer.
Aiko launches 500 W C&I back-contact solar module with 25% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer launched its new Infinite panel at the Solar Solutions Amsterdam event in the Netherlands. The module measures 1,762 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm and has a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/C.
Nigeria plans 1.2 GW solar module assembly plant
Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency has entered into an agreement with Oando Clean Energy for a 1.2 GW project consisting of an off-grid power plant, mesh electricity generation, interconnected power grid and solar manufacturing power plant. A 600 MW line is scheduled to be rolled out next year.
Autowell Technology unveils 0BB tool for multiple silicon PV module technologies
The equipment with a processing speed of up to 10,800 pcs/h can be used to upgrade existing super multi-busbar (SMBB) and multi-busbar (MBB) equipment made by China-based Wuxi Autowell Technology (ATW). It is suitable for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), heterojunction (HJT), and back-contact (BC) cell technologies.
