French company offers router capable of redirecting surplus solar to water heating
French energy cooperative Solarcoop has launched a solar router that redirects surplus photovoltaic power from self-consumption systems to electric water heaters or other resistive loads, and can also control additional devices such as heat pumps.
New device could pave way for magnetic controllable photovoltaic devices
Scientists in Japan have developed a device that enables external magnetic field control of magnetic injection current in the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE), a phenomenon not yet used in commercial solar cells. The research suggests a potential path toward regulating photocurrent in next-generation photovoltaic applications.
Photovoltaics vs. photovoltaic-thermal
Researchers in India say that photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems offer greater performance stability than conventional PV systems in hot climates. Using irradiance and temperature data, the team applied a Random Forest model that predicted efficiency classes with 97% accuracy.
New research confirms residential PV tends to increase household power consumption
New Swiss research shows PV-powered homes can increase power consumption by up to 11% compared to non-solar households. This rise is linked to electric vehicle adoption or other high-usage appliances, which the study’s author notes is not inherently negative or wasteful.
Suntex integrates organic PV into sturdy textiles for outdoor use
A European team from industry and academia is integrating organic solar cells into woven polyester textiles for outdoor use, such as in tents or canopies. The Suntex project also focuses on improving the durability and efficiency of organic photovoltaics.
‘The battery market is far from saturated’
Cornex Chairman Dai Deming discusses battery prices and R&D prospects in an exclusive interview with pv magazine. He says the company’s effective production capacity exceeded 110 GWh in the first quarter of 2025, ranking second in the lithium-ion battery industry.
The best tilt angle to improve PV system performance on low-cost buildings
Researchers have demonstrated that the theoretical optimal tilt for rooftop solar energy production in low-cost buildings in Nigeria is approximately 5.67°. Their modeling suggests to adopt south-facing roofs for PV generation in the Global South.
Swedish startup testing silicon anode battery material
Sweden-based Green14, a plasma silicon startup, said its silicon-based anode material is being tested by the battery group at RISE, Sweden’s national research organization.
SERIS achieves world record efficiency of 26.7% for perovskite-organic tandem solar cell
The tandem device is based on a bottom organic cell that can achieve a remarkable power conversion efficiency of 17.9% and a high short-circuit current density of 28.60 mA cm2. Furthermore, it uses a top perovskite solar cell with an open-circuit voltage of 1.37 V and a fill factor of 85.5%.
EU adopts state aid framework for cleantech industry
The European Commission has developed a new state aid framework under the Clean Industrial Solutions Act for Europe (CISAF) to support clean technology manufacturing across the European Union.
