Dutch partners explore bringing silicon PV into space
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) is working with solar manufacturer MCPV and aviation giant Airbus to adapt terrestrial-proven silicon technology for space operations. It is envisaged the technology could serve as a lower-cost alternative to the gallium arsenide solar cells used in most space solar arrays today.
Norwegian startup testing hybrid solar, wave, wind system
Norway’s Flex2Future has begun testing a scaled-down model of its offshore energy system in collaboration with research firm SINTEF. The startup’s CEO says the system, integrating solar, wave and wind energy, can deliver power at a relatively low cost per kWh.
Sinovoltaics launches free tool for project-specific PV module test scopes
Dutch-German quality assurance firm Sinovoltaics has released a free browser-based tool that generates project-specific reliability testing strategies for utility-scale solar projects, sorting recommended lab tests by priority and producing downloadable scope reports.
PV module recycling technologies ‘progressing’, says IEA-PVPS
Latest report from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) finds measurable advancements in PV module recycling performance compared to its prior studies, including higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity.
Angola switches on Africa’s largest off-grid solar-plus-storage park
The off-grid solar project, encompassing 31.85 MW of solar connected to 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage, will supply energy to over 90,000 people in eastern Angola.
Fraunhofer ISE opens perovskite-silicon tandem scale-up lab
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has opened a dedicated lab in Freiburg, Germany, to scale perovskite-silicon tandem cell designs to large wafer formats using industry-standard processes.
How to retrofit commercial PV panels into photovoltaic-thermal modules
Researchers in Brazil found that retrofitting commercial PV panels into PVT systems can boost total efficiency to around 46–50%, but added thermal resistance limits heat extraction and slightly reduces electrical performance. Their experiments showed performance is capped by interface quality and system design, requiring improved heat extraction capacity.
Solar panels reduce thermal stress in dairy barns during critical afternoon hours
A study from China shows rooftop PV systems on dairy barns can significantly reduce roof heat flux and improve indoor thermal conditions. Field measurements and simulations found up to a 2.3 C reduction in indoor temperature during peak afternoon heat stress periods.
Brazil revokes 3.57 GW of solar permits amid grid connection constraints
Brazil’s Aneel has revoked 3.57 GW of photovoltaic project authorizations across four resolutions, mainly at the request of developers citing insufficient grid evacuation capacity and rising curtailment.
Arctech debuts TOPCon photovoltaic pavement solution
Harmony-F solar flooring can withstand uniformly distributed loads of at least 2 tons and has a hardness above 7 on the Mohs scale, indicating high resistance to wear and abrasion.
