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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Italy’s CNR presents bifacial PV tile based on spectral splitting
Researchers at Italy’s CNR developed a four-terminal PV tile that uses spectral splitting to direct visible and infrared light to GaAs and bifacial silicon cells, respectively. Outdoor testing confirmed reduced self-shading and enhanced albedo collection, while highlighting opportunities to improve optical efficiency and advance the technology toward commercial applications.
Silicon dioxide coating boosts PV module light transmission, thermal performance
An international research team developed a porous silicon dioxide coating for PV cover glass that combines anti-reflection with passive radiative cooling, increasing solar transmittance while enhancing mid-infrared emissivity. The coating achieved 91.0% solar transmittance and 90% emissivity, with the researchers now planning module-level outdoor testing and studies of large-area scalability and durability.
Air bubbles boost cooling and hydrogen production in photovoltaic-thermal system
Researchers in India developed a PVT-hydrogen system using air-bubble injection to improve cooling, thermal and electrical efficiency, and hydrogen production. Tested outdoors in Tamil Nadu, the system achieved a peak thermal efficiency of 45.5% and hydrogen production of 15.5 ml/min.
PV life cycle assessment gets its most comprehensive data overhaul in more than a decade
IEA PVPS Task 12 has released a major update to the life cycle inventory data underpinning photovoltaic life cycle assessments, covering modern TOPCon and PERC silicon supply chains, CdTe modules, inverters, mounting systems, and updated reference installations. Based on 83 factory-level datasets and new simulation-based inventories, the report establishes a more comprehensive and current baseline for PV LCA, sustainability reporting, procurement, and environmental assessments.
Where and how to cut back-contact TOPCon solar cells to minimize recombination losses
UNSW and DAS Solar used Quokka3 simulations to identify cut-induced losses in back-contact TOPCon cells, finding that gap-region cutting reduces efficiency losses by around 50% compared with emitter-region cutting. They recommend an optimized 0.3 mm gap width, particularly important under low irradiance, to minimize edge recombination and resistive losses without additional edge passivation.
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Research: US to face challenges in reaching aggressive solar energy targets
U.S. states and utilities are likely to face a number of challenges in meeting aggressive solar energy targets, according to Ryan Wiser, co-author of a new study issued from the U.S. Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Suntech announces multiple collaborations aimed at developing smart panel technology
Photovoltaics (PV) module manufacturer, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. has announced it is to undertake a number of new collaborations with other industry players, aimed at developing smart panel technology for PV installations.
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Dow Corning to establish new USD$13 million Solar Energy Exploration & Development Center?
Dow Corning has unveiled plans to establish a USD$13 million Solar Energy Exploration & Development Center (SEED) at its European headquarters in Seneffe, Belgium. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
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