Technology and R&D

China’s Fujian Metrology Institute (FMI) and the National Photovoltaic Industry Measurement and Testing Center (NPVM) have created a metrological traceability system for both silicon and perovskite solar cells. The calibration system consists of a monochromatic light system, a bias light system, a 3D-motion measurement platform with temperature control, and an electrical measurement system.

Japanese plastics manufacturer Sekisui Chemical, which recently invested in a 100 MW perovskite solar production plant, announced its latest demonstration project at two sites owned by Japan’s MUFG Bank. The project aims to both raise awareness of practical applications of perovskite solar PV technology and to further verify durability, weather resistance, and performance.

An international team has combined organic synthesis with predictive models to discover new functional materials that enhance performance of hole transport layers used in perovskite solar cells. The team asserts that optimizing for other solar cell properties is possible with the platform, as well as using it for development of materials for other kinds of devices.

A Western Australia-based hybrid solar and battery system developer has demonstrated its hybrid units deployed in remote locations for businesses and communities can potentially replace around 150 litres of diesel per day.

Stanford University professor Mark Z. Jacobson spoke to pv magazine about recent research work showing that California could easily rely on a wind-water-solar-dominated large grid. He says the state’s current electricity prices are high because of several reasons that have nothing to do with renewables. These include high fossil gas prices and the cost upgrading aging transmission and distribution lines, among others.

The Chinese manufacturer said its new LB-5D-G2 battery offers excellent performance with 5.12 kWh capacity for a single unit and up to 81.92 kWh for 16 batteries running in parallel.

A British-Swedish research team has reviewed all models for designing and simulating solar-powered heat pumps systems of various complexities. Based on this work, the scientists proposed a new method combining five models across multiple computer programs into a single analysis tool that reportedly produces accurate critical metrics for technical, economic, and climate impact analysis.

Tesla’s Shanghai Megapack factory, its first outside of the United States, has begun trial production.

University of New South Wales researchers investigated the impact of sodium-induced degradation in heterojunction solar cells under accelerated damp-heat testing. They considered three different types of sodium salts and identified the degradation mechanisms attributed to each contaminant.

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) highlights key performance indicators (KPIs) for PV systems in its latest report. It calls for clear KPI definitions and standardized data handling to enhance system efficiency and reliability.