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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Scientists develop moth-eye-inspired antireflective surfaces for PV modules
Researchers in Portugal have investigated the mechanical durability of moth-eye-inspired antireflective silicon surfaces for photovoltaic applications. They found that repeated sliding causes nanopillar fracture and material compaction, with higher mechanical loads leading to increased friction and wear.
Australia fosters PV innovation with $174 million fund
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has opened the AUD 250 million Solar Sunshot Round 3, for local and global companies to develop product, manufacture, or scale-up technology capable of reducing large-scale solar costs and speeding up solar build times in Australia.
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.
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All Research & Development news
Scientists develop moth-eye-inspired antireflective surfaces for PV modules
Researchers in Portugal have investigated the mechanical durability of moth-eye-inspired antireflective silicon surfaces for photovoltaic applications. They found that repeated sliding causes nanopillar fracture and material compaction, with higher mechanical loads leading to increased friction and wear.
Australia fosters PV innovation with $174 million fund
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has opened the AUD 250 million Solar Sunshot Round 3, for local and global companies to develop product, manufacture, or scale-up technology capable of reducing large-scale solar costs and speeding up solar build times in Australia.
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.
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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.
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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.
UV down-shifting layers could boost TOPCon solar module energy yield by over 4%
Researchers in Slovenia have developed a numerical model showing that luminescent UV down-shifting layers could improve the long-term performance of TOPCon solar modules. Simulations suggest the technology could increase cumulative energy yields by more than 4% over 10 years while also mitigating UV-induced degradation.
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