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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Mass-scale reuse pilot project finds 15% of second-life solar modules fail to meet safety requirements
Researchers in Australia identified two scalable routes for electrical safety qualification of second-life PV modules: silicone backsheet repair and faster parallel wet-leakage testing. A Queensland pilot found that 15% of 2,200 reuse-ready modules failed the wet-leakage test, highlighting the need for dedicated safety screening while modified testing could reduce costs and processing time.
Scandium doping, coating improve cycling stability of sodium-ion battery cathodes
Researchers have compared bulk scandium doping and surface scandium coating in a special type of cathodes for sodium-ion batteries. Both approaches improved cycling stability, with the coated full cell retaining 91.2% of its initial capacity after 300 cycles, while structural analyses revealed distinct bulk- and surface-stabilization mechanisms.
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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New framework pinpoints faulty modules in utility-scale PV plants
Spanish researchers have developed a three-phase framework that uses unmanned aerial vehicles to map PV plants, identify defective modules and assess fault severity. Tested at two utility-scale facilities in England, the method achieved module-detection accuracy of up to 98.55% and fault-classification accuracy of 96.6%.
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Scientists explain unexpected hotspot formation in half-cell heterojunction modules
Researchers in Japan have identified the circuit-level mechanism behind hotspot mirroring in half-cell HJT modules, showing that current mismatch can drive localized overheating in unshaded cells. The study combines outdoor measurements and simulations to reveal key design factors influencing hotspot severity, offering guidance for improving half-cell module reliability.
Distributed solar supplied 27% of Pakistan’s electricity in 2025
Analysis by the Pakistan Solar Association finds roughly 51 TWh of generation that never appears on grid-side data, as rooftop and off-grid solar spreads faster than official statistics. The association claims unseen generation can be inferred from a deepening midday demand trough, with network design suffering as a result.
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Researchers design PVT heat pump with single integrated evaporator
The dual-source photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) heat pump combines solar and ambient-air heat collection in a single finned evaporator, eliminating the need for separate heat exchangers. The researchers say the simplified design could reduce installation costs.
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