Research & Development
Solar R&D is focused on improving efficiency, reducing production costs, and extending system longevity. Key areas include tandem and perovskite cell development, advanced materials for encapsulation and contacts, and new concepts in system integration.
Simulation tools, AI-driven design, and accelerated testing methods are expanding research capabilities. Sustainability and circularity targets are increasingly embedded in innovation strategies.
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Perovskite solar tested at over 5,000 m altitude
Monochrome will test a perovskite PV prototype at an altitude of around 5,150 meters during an alpine expedition in Pakistan’s Karakoram region. The field trial will assess power-generation performance and durability under harsh, off-grid conditions as the company explores perovskite technology for future BIPV applications.
Aluminum fins vs. oxide nanofluid for PV module cooling
Indian scientists compared aluminum fins with CuO-water nanofluid cooling for PV modules, finding the nanofluid reduced average panel temperature and increased gross power output. However, after accounting for pump power consumption, passive aluminum fins delivered comparable electrical efficiency without requiring auxiliary energy.
Scientists demonstrate outdoor operability of reflector-assisted spherical photovoltaic modules
Researchers in Qatar developed a 450-cell, 0.70 m-diameter spherical PV prototype with a hemispherical aluminium reflector that substantially improves energy capture. The system, however, demonstrates mainly directional/seasonal benefits rather than superior annual yield or economic competitiveness compared to a flat counterpart.
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All Research & Development news
Perovskite solar tested at over 5,000 m altitude
Monochrome will test a perovskite PV prototype at an altitude of around 5,150 meters during an alpine expedition in Pakistan’s Karakoram region. The field trial will assess power-generation performance and durability under harsh, off-grid conditions as the company explores perovskite technology for future BIPV applications.
Aluminum fins vs. oxide nanofluid for PV module cooling
Indian scientists compared aluminum fins with CuO-water nanofluid cooling for PV modules, finding the nanofluid reduced average panel temperature and increased gross power output. However, after accounting for pump power consumption, passive aluminum fins delivered comparable electrical efficiency without requiring auxiliary energy.
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Scientists demonstrate outdoor operability of reflector-assisted spherical photovoltaic modules
Researchers in Qatar developed a 450-cell, 0.70 m-diameter spherical PV prototype with a hemispherical aluminium reflector that substantially improves energy capture. The system, however, demonstrates mainly directional/seasonal benefits rather than superior annual yield or economic competitiveness compared to a flat counterpart.
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Advanced sodium-ion battery prototypes now approaching 200 Wh/kg
An international team of scientists has reviewed recent advances in sodium-ion battery components, highlighting their potential as a lower-cost, more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The researchers identify key challenges including lower energy density, shorter cycle life and manufacturing constraints, while pointing to advances in materials and electrolytes as important to future commercialization.
Zinc oxide UV shield cuts heterojunction solar cell degradation and boosts lifetime output by 4.8%
Researchers in China have demonstrated that zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films can act as a ‘sunscreen’ for heterojunction solar cells, reducing UV-induced degradation while maintaining high visible-light transmission. ZnO-coated modules achieved lower projected LCOE and 4.8% higher cumulative power generation over 25 years.
Samsung, Oak Ridge National Laboratory testing cold climate vapor compression heat pump tech
Samsung and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are testing a cold-climate vapor-compression heat pump designed to maintain stable heating performance below −30 C. The system combines a rotary scroll compressor with flash-injection technology to reduce energy losses, prevent overheating and improve reliability during prolonged operation in extreme cold.
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