SunShot scheme awarded $9m solar R&D funding
The US Department of Energy will back all breakthrough research and development projects that advance solar PV to the tune of $9 million.
Future PV Forum brings close-to-commercialization technologies into focus
The 15th Forum Solarpraxis played host to the first Future PV Forum today in Berlin. 10 presentations across the solar innovation value chain showcased a range of technologies from the much-hyped perovskites to laser 3D printing for silver paste application on standard p-type crystalline silicon solar cells.
Midsummer reduces CIGS active layer to 800nm
Swedish thin film equipment supplier Midsummer has reduced the active layer in its CIGS deposition process to 800nm. The tool supplier claims that this is less than half of what other suppliers offer, substantially reducing costs.
Fraunhofer CSE installs first 'Plug and Play' PV system
The R&D laboratory says once the residential rooftop PV system is commercially available, homeowners will be able to purchase and install the system as easily as installing a washer and dryer.
Fraunhofer ISE pursues titania rearside coating
Using a technique it has labeled ‘Snow Globe Coating,’ Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE is pursuing a titania rearside cell coating technology. Fraunhofer says it provides a reflective back coating to cells, boosting efficiency.
Inside Meyer Burger's new HJT pilot line
Interview: On Monday the Meyer Burger Group and the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) inaugurated their Swiss-Inno pilot line for heterojunction technology (HJT) in Neuchatel, Switzerland. Christophe Ballif, head of the CSEM’s PV-center, will lead research efforts on the line, representing the culmination of a decade’s research into the technology in the Swiss town. Ballif spoke to pv magazine about the project.
JA Solar multi-Si 60-cell solar module sets output record, surpasses 280 W
The output power of the record-setting solar modules can be further improved by fine tuning the company’s module assembly process and encapsulation materials, the company says.
Trina Solar sets new efficiency record for silicon cells
While the technologies are not currently in production, they will be part of the company’s future commercialized Honey Plus and IBC products, says Trina Vice President and chief scientist Pierre Verlinden.
Meyer Burger inaugurates heterojunction pilot line
Swiss PV equipment supplier Meyer Burger inaugurated its first heterojunction (HJT) cell pilot line, in Neuchatel, Switzerland today. The line will be operated in partnership with the Swiss research body CSEM.
Solar panels carry Rosetta's lander to comet
Humanity yesterday celebrated an historic step towards unlocking the mysteries of the oldest building blocks of our Solar System: Comets. Solar cells carried the European Space Agency’s Rosetta probe, Philae, onto the first-ever landing on a comet.
