NREL researchers warn of unexpectedly high UV-induced degradation in n-type solar modules
A research team from the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has analyzed n-type modules deployed in a 3 MW commercial PV project in an effort to assess the high degradation rate reported by the plant owner. The scientists found that ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) was a major factor affecting the facility’s performance.
Hands-on with the Bluetti Apex 300 portable power station
A hands-on with the Apex 300 reveals it has unique strengths for those looking for portable power in a design that is made to expand through accessories.
Flanders reaches 81% digital meter adoption among solar homes
By the end of 2025, installing a smart meter will be mandatory for PV-powered homes in Belgium’s Flanders region. According to grid operator Fluvius, a group of homeowners who installed solar panels between 2014 and the end of 2020 remain eligible for a retroactive investment premium.
Scaling perovskite tandems’ U.S. prospects
Three US manufacturers actively working to commercialize their respective perovskite-silicon tandem technologies make the case for tandem modules. CubicPV, Caelux and Swift Solar argue a commercial future for perovskites is inevitable, and they tell pv magazine the current policy environment could work in the technology’s favor.
India to extend approved list of solar parts to wafers by 2028
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to add solar wafers to its Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) from June 1, 2028, requiring government-backed projects to use wafers, cells, and modules from registered suppliers.
QatarEnergy selects Samsung C&T for 2 GW solar project
South Korea’s Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group is set to build Qatar’s largest solar project to date. The first gigawatt of the 2 GW project is expected to be online by the end of 2028.
Improving diamond wire sawing to reduce kerf loss in solar wafer production
Researches in China have sought to assess how lateral vibration in diamond wire sawing can increase kerf losses in solar wafer manufacturing and have developed a predictive model than can reportedly help reduce them. Their analysis showed that, with constant sawing parameters, smaller wafers suffer from greater excess kerf loss.
Germany adds 1.95 GW of new solar in August
Germany installed 1.95 GW of solar in August, bringing total additions to 10.8 GW in the first eight months of 2025.
Polycab launches 350 kW string inverter for utility-scale solar projects
Polycab has launched its UT Series 350 kW three-phase string inverter for utility-scale solar projects in southern India. The series offers 15/12 maximum power point trackers (MPPTs) and supports bifacial 182 mm/210 mm modules with a maximum 15 A/20 A DC input current per string.
Micronesia runs solar minigrid tender
A tender is open in Micronesia for the engineering, procurement and construction of hybrid solar minigrid systems at three villages on the Fefen Islands. The closing date for applications is October 27.
