Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with steric complementary design achieves 32.3% efficiency
Researchers in China developed a monolithic perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell using a steric-complementary interface design, achieving a certified efficiency of 32.12% and enhanced long-term stability. This strategy optimizes molecular fit in the perovskite lattice, improving both charge transport and device longevity.
TNO offers mass customization line for integrated PV applications
The Dutch research institute’s highly automated research line offers customized, flexible solar semi-finished PV products to partners developing integrated PV applications.
Equis launches 1.6 GWh renewable energy hub in Australia
One of Australia’s biggest battery energy storage projects has powered up with renewables developer Equis Australia confirming that the 600 MW/1.6 GWh Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Victoria is now fully operational.
How the world’s sunniest region tackles solar module soiling, cleaning
Researchers studying PV panels in Chile’s hyper-arid Atacama Desert found that cemented soiling can cause annual energy losses of up to 9.8%. Their combined field and laboratory work shows that dry cleaning leaves residue that accelerates future cementation, making wet cleaning the more effective long-term strategy despite higher costs and scarce water.
Robotics driving US solar recycling capacity expansion
Solar recycler OnePlanet will draw on vision-guided robots and automation to scale its River City facility and recover more, purer valuable materials from spent panels.
China powers up nation’s largest standalone battery storage project
A 500 MW/2,000 MWh lithium iron phosphate battery energy storage system has entered commercial operation in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, after five months of construction, with total investment of CNY 1.5 billion ($212.2 million) and designed for peak shaving and renewable integration.
‘Back contact will reach cost parity with TOPCon before end of decade’
During a pv magazine Week Europe 2025 webinar, panelists forecast back contact (BC) solar cells’ market share will draw level with TOPCon towards the end of the decade, before tandem technology begins large-scale momentum in the early 2030s.
IEA sets distributed solar, storage policy path for Ukraine
A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommends three strategies to accelerate the deployment of distributed solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Ukraine as the country works to increase its energy security.
Germany’s Prolux Solutions recalls vanadium redox home battery systems
Prolux Solutions is recalling all Storac home energy storage systems in Germany and exiting vanadium redox flow technology to switch future residential products to lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Distributed PV employment globally outpaces utility-scale solar, says IEA
The latest edition of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Employment report found employment in the PV sector surpassed 5 million in 2024, with distributed solar accounting for two-thirds of all solar employment globally, despite representing only 43% of installed capacity.
