The impact of different substrates on solar module performance
A research team has analyzed the effects of different substrates on PV module performance and has found that ground soil achieves the highest efficiency at 21.1%, followed by grass (19.6%), wood (17.95%), concrete (16.2%), roof tiles (14.3%), and iron sheets (11.5%).
Serbia awards 645 MW in second renewables auction
Serbia has allocated 645 MW across 10 wind and solar projects in its second renewables auction, setting average prices at €0.0509 ($0.0533)/kWh for solar and €0.0535/kWh for wind. The government said the rates are well below market levels.
Sinovoltaics updates map of North American solar supply chain
The North American manufacturing hub has added several new producers across the PV module supply chain but analysts see continued cell, wafer, and polysilicon capacity constraints. The report is based on announcements of capacities at sites in the region producing PV modules, cells, wafers, ingots, polysilicon, and metallurgical-grade silicon.
First Solar ships 14.1 GW of thin-film solar modules in 2024
First Solar delivered 14.1 GW of thin-film solar modules in 2024, driving $4.2 billion in revenue. The US cadmium telluride panel maker now faces global policy uncertainty.
Mitigating risks in new PV technologies
The solar energy industry continues to push the boundaries of efficiency and reliability. However, as innovative photovoltaic cell and module technologies emerge, they also bring a new set of challenges in durability and performance. A new report from IEA PVPS Task 13, titled “Degradation and Failure Modes in New Photovoltaic Cell and Module Technologies,” offers a comprehensive analysis of degradation and failure mechanisms in current photovoltaic technologies.
Sodium-ion battery study offers power and energy breakthrough with new organic cathode
New cathode material combined with carbon nanotubes delivers high energy and power in sodium-ion batteries.
Jolywood releases 595 W bifacial TOPCon solar panel for harsh environments
The Chinese manufacturer said that its new glass-backsheet Windproof module utilizes a zinc-aluminum-magnesium surface alloy technology and a high-strength steel substrate. It features a power conversion efficiency of up to 23.03%.
FranklinWH launches 15 kWh residential battery
The 15 kWh aPower 2 battery can store input from solar, grid, generator and EV.
BP slashes renewables investment, seeks new Lightsource BP partner
Oil and gas giant BP wants to sell stake in Lightsource BP just four months after completing full takeover of the renewables developer. New “strategy reset” will also cut company’s investment in energy transition by $5 billion per year.
Iberdrola launches innovation contest for PV technologies
Iberdrola, through its Perseo startup program, has partnered with the Spanish National Association of European Business and Innovation Centres (ANCES) to launch an innovation program for startups and entrepreneurs in the PV sector. One selected entry will conduct a pilot project and may scale its technology with the Spanish energy multinational.
