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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Researchers warn of unexpected copper corrosion in perovskite solar cells
Researchers in China found that copper electrodes in perovskite solar cells can suffer from edge corrosion during operation, reducing device performance. The team showed that adding a thin bismuth layer helps protect the copper electrode, limiting degradation and improving the long-term stability of the solar cells.
Solar brings connectivity to more than 2,000 communities in the Brazilian Amazon
An annual report by a collaborative initiative in the Brazilian Amazon highlights the expansion of off-grid photovoltaic systems to power internet, health and education equipment in areas without access to the electricity grid.
Italian scientists unveil 121-sensor platform for agrivoltaic greenhouse monitoring
An Italian research team has developed a 121-sensor monitoring platform for agrivoltaic greenhouses, integrating PV performance, microclimate analysis, and automated irrigation control. Tested under real conditions in a semi-transparent PV greenhouse, the system enables detailed crop-environment monitoring and provides a foundation for future Digital Twin-based adaptive management.
Researchers compare PV, wind, hybrid systems for community-scale energy
Researchers in China found a hybrid system combining 200 kW of PV, 200 kW of wind and a 100 kWh battery achieved a 70.8% self-sufficiency rate for a community consuming 1,000 kWh per day. While standalone PV delivered a lower levelized cost of energy, the hybrid configuration offered the best overall balance between cost and supply reliability.
Agrivoltaics improve grape quality in Mediterranean rainfed vineyards
Researchers in Italy found that agrivoltaic shading in Primitivo vineyards can reduce heat and water stress while improving vine physiology, growth, biodiversity, and yield under Mediterranean conditions. The study shows that photovoltaic integration can enhance vineyard resilience and maintain grape quality, although further long-term and multi-site research is needed to confirm its wider applicability.
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All Research & Development news
Researchers warn of unexpected copper corrosion in perovskite solar cells
Researchers in China found that copper electrodes in perovskite solar cells can suffer from edge corrosion during operation, reducing device performance. The team showed that adding a thin bismuth layer helps protect the copper electrode, limiting degradation and improving the long-term stability of the solar cells.
Solar brings connectivity to more than 2,000 communities in the Brazilian Amazon
An annual report by a collaborative initiative in the Brazilian Amazon highlights the expansion of off-grid photovoltaic systems to power internet, health and education equipment in areas without access to the electricity grid.
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Italian scientists unveil 121-sensor platform for agrivoltaic greenhouse monitoring
An Italian research team has developed a 121-sensor monitoring platform for agrivoltaic greenhouses, integrating PV performance, microclimate analysis, and automated irrigation control. Tested under real conditions in a semi-transparent PV greenhouse, the system enables detailed crop-environment monitoring and provides a foundation for future Digital Twin-based adaptive management.
Researchers compare PV, wind, hybrid systems for community-scale energy
Researchers in China found a hybrid system combining 200 kW of PV, 200 kW of wind and a 100 kWh battery achieved a 70.8% self-sufficiency rate for a community consuming 1,000 kWh per day. While standalone PV delivered a lower levelized cost of energy, the hybrid configuration offered the best overall balance between cost and supply reliability.
Agrivoltaics improve grape quality in Mediterranean rainfed vineyards
Researchers in Italy found that agrivoltaic shading in Primitivo vineyards can reduce heat and water stress while improving vine physiology, growth, biodiversity, and yield under Mediterranean conditions. The study shows that photovoltaic integration can enhance vineyard resilience and maintain grape quality, although further long-term and multi-site research is needed to confirm its wider applicability.
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PV recycling challenges unlikely to be the same everywhere
A research team has used machine learning and spatial analysis to show that socioeconomic factors are most strongly associated with PV waste generation, while geographical and climatic conditions are more closely linked to PV lifespan. Their Australia-wide analysis suggests PV recycling policies should be tailored to regional conditions.
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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