Industry addresses UV degradation, hail risk in European solar modules
Industry leaders at pv magazine Week Europe 2025 said manufacturers are implementing measures to limit ultraviolet-induced degradation in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar modules and strengthen resilience to hail damage to protect performance and reduce financial risk.
Oscal launches 1,024 Wh portable storage system
The Chinese company said its Power Max 1800 SE has a rated power of 1.8 kW and a surge power of 2.4 kW. It weighs 15.5 kg and measures 39 cm x 23 cm x 25.4 cm.
Calefa Oy releases waste heat-powered steam heat pump
The Finnish company said its novel AmbiSteam system can produce process steam above 5 bar. It is based on the company’s SteamLevel heat pump technology.
Solar powers the warfighter
2026 Defense authorizations highlight the need for U.S.-made photovoltaics in satellites to compete with foreign adversaries, writes Rob Gardner, vice president, congressional and regulatory affairs, for the SEMA Coalition.
Toshiba ESS tests hybrid wind-solar project with storage in Saudi Arabia
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp. (Toshiba ESS) has started testing batteries and energy management solutions to stabilize electricity in remote Saudi Arabia through a hybrid wind-solar pilot project. The project will run until May 2028 to evaluate power- and energy-oriented batteries and optimize battery use.
France’s Solarpro launches steel deck mounting system for rooftop PV
Solarpro has developed a steel deck mounting structure with a drilling-free fixing system for rooftop solar panels.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with steric complementary design achieves 32.3% efficiency
Researchers in China developed a monolithic perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell using a steric-complementary interface design, achieving a certified efficiency of 32.12% and enhanced long-term stability. This strategy optimizes molecular fit in the perovskite lattice, improving both charge transport and device longevity.
TNO offers mass customization line for integrated PV applications
The Dutch research institute’s highly automated research line offers customized, flexible solar semi-finished PV products to partners developing integrated PV applications.
How the world’s sunniest region tackles solar module soiling, cleaning
Researchers studying PV panels in Chile’s hyper-arid Atacama Desert found that cemented soiling can cause annual energy losses of up to 9.8%. Their combined field and laboratory work shows that dry cleaning leaves residue that accelerates future cementation, making wet cleaning the more effective long-term strategy despite higher costs and scarce water.
‘Back contact will reach cost parity with TOPCon before end of decade’
During a pv magazine Week Europe 2025 webinar, panelists forecast back contact (BC) solar cells’ market share will draw level with TOPCon towards the end of the decade, before tandem technology begins large-scale momentum in the early 2030s.
