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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To sell solar, sell the family, support the champion, and mind the timing
Research suggests that a strong predictor of a household going solar is engagement among the family. Solar salespeople should identify and support the “solar champion” as the family works through the details of understanding the new product, found the study.
Dutch student team develops solar-powered ambulance
A student team at the Eindhoven University of Technology has developed what it says is the world’s first solar-powered ambulance, designed to deliver healthcare services to remote communities. The vehicle combines a 50 kWh battery with 542 solar cells, offering a claimed range of up to 715 km on paved roads while powering onboard medical equipment.
EDF study finds elevated agrivoltaics provide superior plant protection
The study demonstrated that elevated PV configurations can mitigate frost and heat stress, whereas vertical PV configurations can improve wind protection, highlighting the importance of balancing crop resilience and electricity production.
Periodic groove glass boosts high-angle light capture for facade PV
A research team in China has developed a periodic groove glass structure to improve light capture in facade-mounted PV modules. The proposed design was found to reduce reflection at high incidence angles while maintaining compatibility with large-scale glass manufacturing.
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All Research & Development news
Research: 2010 expected to be "outstanding year" for PV, but 2011 will see a slowdown
The global photovoltaics (PV) market is forecast to exceed 16 gigawatts (GW) this year, said IMS Research, with demand for PV systems predicted to almost double. It went on to say that the top five markets will account for more than 13 GW, but growth is expected to slowdown next year.
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Research: Ontario to hit 694 MW of installed PV by next year; could reach 3 GW by 2015
The Ontario photovoltaics (PV) market will reach 694 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity by next year, including 186 MW of Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP) projects, according to a study carried out by Canada-based ClearSky Advisors.
Professor Green: “I would like to see a date fixed for RoHS-compliance”
Following the news that the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy has called on the European Union (EU) to include photovoltaics (PV) under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), Professor Martin A. Green has told pv magazine he would like to see a fixed date for RoHS compliance.
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Research: New way to funnel solar energy "100 times more concentrated than PV"
Using carbon nanotubes – hollow tubes of carbon atoms – Massachusetts Institute of Technology chemical engineers say they have found a way to concentrate solar energy 100 times more than a regular photovoltaic (PV) cell. Such nanotubes could reportedly form antennas that capture and focus light energy, potentially allowing much smaller and more powerful solar arrays, according to Chinese news agency, xinhuanet.
Trony to develop solar battery technology
Thin film solar module producer, Trony Solar Holdings Company Limited has signed separate agreements with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to co-develop solar battery technology. The news comes as the company inaugurated its Hong Kong office in the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks.
SunPower awarded USD$1.8 million research grant
In a second round of funding by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), U.S.-based SunPower Corp. is set to receive a grant of around USD$1.8 million from the California Solar Initiative Research, Development, Deployment and Demonstration (CSI RD&D) Program.
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