Technology and R&D

A three-year field experiment comparing the performance and reliability of passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC), tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), and silicon heterojunction (SHJ) modules in desert climates found that HJT modules exhibited the highest degradation, while TOPCon modules showed the lowest degradation.

Researchers in the United Kingdom found that approximately 175 TWh of hydrogen and compressed air storage capacity will be needed to fully decarbonize heating in the United Kingdom. Lead researcher Bruno Cardenas told pv magazine that, when domestic heat demand is 100% electrified, average annual electricity demand and peak load in the grid are 26% and 70% higher than current levels.

Solartag has developed a 71 W solar tile with a weight 14.2 kg/m² and a power conversion efficiency of 16%. The new product relies on black PERC cells and is standardized for mass production, according to the manufacturer.

To address the variability of renewable energy for a stable supply, 22 distinct types of flexibility options are found in 100% renewable energy systems research articles, categorized into power-to-X, energy storage, demand response, transmission and distribution grids, and curtailment.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) highlights the transformative potential of green hydrogen and hydrogen-derived ammonia for decarbonizing the maritime industry. According to its experts, hydrogen could be soon be used as a maritime fuel, as ongoing innovation is slated to make hydrogen storage and transportation more viable over time.

South Australia researchers will team with industry partners to build a concentrated solar thermal plant in New South Wales featuring lightweight plastic mirrors that incorporate an aluminium-silica reflective coating to produce industrial heat or electricity.

New doesn’t always mean better: Passivated emitter and rear contact solar cells have earned their place through real-world reliability and cost-effective manufacturability.

Europe’s largest solar power event filled 18 very large halls in Munich, and new launches ranged from balcony solar to cow poop innovations.

Installers, manufacturers, scientists and users at the Smarter E Europe event – held last week in Munich, Germany – discussed PV home storage, energy management systems (EMS), and key challenges in the implementation of Germany’s new solar provisions.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says Georgia holds vast potential for solar, with most prime sites for deployment concentrated in the country’s east, based on a recent zoning assessment.