How to prevent stray voltage from harming livestock in PV-equipped dairy farms
Stray voltage is unwanted electrical potential differences in barns that can cause small shocks to livestock, especially dairy cows, through damp floors, metal equipment, and water systems, leading to stress and reduced productivity, and in some cases even to death. While PV systems are sometimes blamed, experts told pv magazine that the real causes are faulty or poorly designed grounding and electrical infrastructure, and that proper equipotential bonding is key to prevention. With attentive design, these risks to animal health can be avoided.
TCL SunPower launches new shingled TOPCon module series
The new modules feature bifaciality of 85%, an efficiency of up to 24.8%, annual degradation of 0.35%, and a 30-year performance warranty,
Omani PV manufacturer AACE switches to TOPCon
The company’s new facility, located in the Salalah Free Zone in southern Oman, is currently manufacturing PERC technology, with plans to transition to TOPCon before the end of the year.
IRENA proposes global electrification target of 35% by 2035
New report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says renewables will be key to meeting rising global demand for electricity but with up to 2.5 TW of solar, storage and wind projects already in connection queues worldwide, increased investment in grid infrastructure will be pivotal.
UNSW researchers shed new light on UV-induced degradation in PERC, TOPCon solar cells
The scientists identified that UV exposure in PERC and TOPCon solar cells increases interface defects and makes them more recombination-active, driving ultraviolet-induced degradation. They found strong degradation on PERC front and rear surfaces and TOPCon front surfaces, while the TOPCon rear remains stable due to poly-Si UV absorption.
European PV avoided €10 billion in gas imports since escalation of Iran conflict
European photovoltaics have generated enough electricity since early March to avoid an estimated €10 billion in gas imports, according to SolarPower Europe, with savings averaging €110 million per day.
MTA launches air-to-water heat pump with scalable architecture
The Italian manufacturer said its Gemini air-to-water heat pump is intended for commercial and industrial applications. It reportedly achieves a coefficient of performance of up to 3.28 and delivers hot water temperatures of up to 60 C.
Offshore vs. ground-mounted PV
Taiwanese researchers compared a 100 MW ground solar plant with a 181 MW offshore floating PV system and found the offshore setup produced about 12% more electricity over its lifetime. They attribute the gain to cooling and intertidal effects, suggesting offshore floating solar is technically viable, although it is currently around 30% more expensive and still faces durability and marine engineering challenges.
U.S. PV manufacturing capex could reach $7 billion in 2027 in breakout year for domestic supply-chain
Driven by multi-billion-dollar investments from the likes of Tesla and Corning, U.S. solar manufacturing capital expenditure is forecast to skyrocket 150% year-on-year to $7 billion in 2027, marking a massive breakout year as silicon-based technology eclipses thin-film spending and cements a domestic supply chain.
China conducts first experiments for space-based solar power plants
China is advancing the Sun Chasing project to develop space-based solar power systems that collect energy in orbit and beam it wirelessly to Earth or spacecraft for continuous power supply. Early tests demonstrated over 100 m wireless power transmission and efficient microwave beaming to moving targets, with up to 1,180 W delivered and promising system efficiencies.
