Australian researchers track self-repair in silicon solar cells after UV damage
Engineers at the University of New South Wales have developed a real-time monitoring technique that reveals how silicon solar cells can self-repair following ultraviolet-induced damage, offering new insights into solar panel degradation and lifetime performance.
New hydrogel layer tackles solar module hotspots
A team of scientists has developed a novel hydrogel solar panel coating that is reportedly capable of lowering hot spot temperatures by up to 16.2 C, outperforming conventional hydrogels. The hydrogel also demonstrated superior durability and improved power output by up to 13%, according to the research group.
New Jersey governor orders major solar, storage expansion on first day
Mikie Sherrill, governor of the US state of New Jersey, has signed two executive orders directing state regulators to accelerate utility-scale solar, expand community solar to 3 GW and advance up to 750 MW of battery energy storage as part of an effort to contain rising electricity prices and address projected capacity shortfalls.
Hongyuan rolls out 40 µm ‘engineering-ready’ ultra-thin silicon wafers
Hongyuan Green Energy says it has produced a first batch of 40 µm monocrystalline silicon wafers that support full-size and half-cut formats, with slicing completed using the company’s in-house wafering equipment.
Five trends for energy storage as global market passes 100 GW
A new report from Wood Mackenzie identifies five key trends that will define the energy storage industry in 2026, including supply chain restructuring and the rise of non-lithium batteries.
World’s largest compressed-air storage plant switched on in China
New 2.4 GWh adiabatic compressed air energy storage (CAES) plant now operational in in Jiangsu province. The large-scale CAES uses molten salt and pressurized thermal water storage to achieve high efficiency, with power generated through two 300 MW units.
Sigenergy secures top position for multiple storage markets as installer adoption accelerates
SunWiz market data ranks the manufacturer as the top energy storage supplier in Australia, Ireland, and South Africa.
Serbia installs 134.3 MW of solar in 2025
Serbia had a record year for solar additions in 2025, led by deployment of large-scale plants. The country has a gigawatt-size project pipeline, although most remain in the earlier stages of development and are not expected to come online this year.
US court dismisses challenge to Silfab Solar factory in South Carolina
A York County circuit court judge has dismissed a resident-led lawsuit seeking to halt construction of Silfab’s PV module assembly plant, ruling that the plaintiff lacked standing and failed to exhaust administrative remedies.
Analysts warn of possible, sudden silver price fall
pv magazine has spoken with silver analysts from Bloomberg and StoneX about the vertiginous growth of silver prices in recent weeks. They both agree that when prices rise too fast, investors’ behavior may change quickly. Meanwhile, the price of the precious metal has reached another all-time high today at $110 per ounce.
