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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Latest News
Spacebound silicon
Solar has a long history in powering satellites and space exploration, and high-powered devices based on multijunction PV cells made from “III-V” materials such as gallium arsenide or indium gallium phosphide have supplied this niche market as far back as the 1960s. But those devices are made with rare materials and complex processing, limited to small batches produced at high cost.
Oct 06, 2026
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Magenta CdTe solar panels support broccoli cultivation in agrivoltaic trial
Researchers in Sweden and Italy have investigated the performance of semitransparent, magenta-colored cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels designed to transmit wavelengths favorable for broccoli growth. The study found that the panels affected microclimatic conditions, photosynthetic performance, nutrient composition, and overall land productivity.
Study reveals up to 15% gap between expected and actual bifacial gains in utility-scale PV
Researchers in Spain have found that the effective bifaciality of solar modules in utility-scale PV plants can be up to 15% lower than their nominal rating. Based on two years of operational data from a 50 MWp solar plant in Spain, with findings validated across four additional installations in Spain and the United Kingdom, the study highlights the influence of irradiance, temperature, mounting geometry and operating conditions on rear-side power generation.
Trina Solar researchers propose new classification of ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells
Trina Solar researchers have proposed a new classification distinguishing reversible and irreversible ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells. The framework aims to improve reliability testing, identify persistent performance losses, and provide more accurate assessments of long-term module performance under real-world conditions.
Three-molecule blend boosts inverted perovskite solar cell efficiency to 27.5%
Chinese researchers have developed high-entropy molecular contacts that enabled inverted perovskite solar cells to achieve a certified steady-state efficiency of 27.31%. The approach also improves thermal stability by preventing molecular contact degradation.
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Chinese scientists develop hydrogen-powered CO₂ heat pump with PCM storage
Chinese researchers have modeled a heating system combining PEM fuel cells, a CO₂ heat pump and phase-change thermal storage, assessing the impact of different thermal boundary conditions. The results show that cathode inlet temperature has the strongest effect on hydrogen-to-heat and hydrogen-to-electricity performance, while the PCM tank can meet modeled domestic hot water demand.
Researchers test laminated bamboo structures for floating PV platforms
Chinese researchers tested thin-plate glued laminated bamboo (glubam) assemblies for use in floating PV platforms, assessing their flexural behavior under different plate and bolt configurations. The results show that plate configuration, bolt spacing, bolt diameter, and thickness distribution can significantly affect the structures’ ultimate load capacity.
Panasonic deploys fuel cell, heat pump at PV-powered hydrogen house
Panasonic has deployed a 10 kW pure hydrogen fuel cell and a 9 kW air-to-water heat pump at Finland’s Hydrogen House, which features rooftop PV and up to 90 kg of hydrogen storage. The integrated system uses solar-generated hydrogen to provide electricity, space heating and hot water, while also recovering waste heat from the fuel cell.
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Bilayer transparent conductive film for electrostatic dust removal achieves 96.36% cleaning rate on PV panels
Chinese researchers have developed an bilayer transparent conductive film for electrostatic dust removal from PV panels.
An 80 nm magnesium fluoride coating offered the best balance of optoelectronic and cleaning performance, with dust removal reaching 96.36%.
Heterojunction solar cell based on molybdenum oxide achieves 24.9% efficiency
Researchers at Beijing University of Technology developed a silicon heterojunction solar cell with a PMA/MoOₓ hole-selective contact that achieved 24.9% efficiency. The ultrathin PMA interlayer reduced interface recombination and contact resistance while improving carrier transport and passivation.
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Scientists propose solar cell taxonomy based on absorber integration
Researchers in Spain have proposed a new photovoltaic taxonomy that replaces the conventional generation-based approach with a classification based on absorber integration and dominant physical mechanisms. The framework divides solar technologies into four groups—wafer-based, thin-film, epitaxial III–V, and sensitized or quantum-confined systems—while also providing a flexible way to classify tandem and hybrid architectures.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell built on textured silicon reaches 30.77% efficiency
Chinese researchers have developed a healing treatment to improve perovskite film quality on industrial textured silicon for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The approach enabled a certified tandem efficiency of 30.77% while improving device stability.
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