Articles written by Lior Kahana

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Technology & Products
Leapting launches autonomous forklift for solar module transport The Chinese robotics manufacturer has introduced an autonomous tracked forklift capable of transporting solar module pallets weighing up to 3,000 kg. The battery-powered machine features a maximum lifting height of 3 m, a 30-degree climbing capability and a navigation system combining GNSS-RTK, laser SLAM and computer vision.
Lior Kahana
3 hours ago
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Research & Development
Three-molecule blend boosts inverted perovskite solar cell efficiency to 27.5% Chinese researchers have developed high-entropy molecular contacts that enabled inverted perovskite solar cells to achieve a certified steady-state efficiency of 27.31%. The approach also improves thermal stability by preventing molecular contact degradation.
Lior Kahana
3 hours ago
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Technology & Products
Brilliant Matters, HeiQ plan to commercialize 12%-efficient semi-transparent organic solar cells A Canadian-Swiss-German collaboration has developed semi-transparent organic solar cells with efficiencies of up to 12.04% and fully printed modules reaching 10.2%. The technology combines Brilliant Matters’ BM10 OPV platform with HeiQ’s silver nanowire electrodes and is targeted for commercial availability in 2028.
Lior Kahana
Oct 08, 2026
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Research & Development
Silver-nickel contacts cut TOPCon rear metallization costs by 11% Chinese researchers developed a screen-printed silver-nickel paste that reduces rear-side metallization costs by approximately 11%. The optimized formulation achieved an average cell efficiency of 26.67% in a production trial, with a champion device reaching 26.87%.
Lior Kahana
Oct 05, 2026
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Research & Development
The case for railway-integrated solar in South Korea South Korea’s extensive railway network could provide new space for solar generation in densely populated areas where land availability is limited. Researchers have investigated the potential of installing PV systems between railway tracks, finding that suitable sections of five surface railway corridors could host more than 8.5 MW of solar capacity.
Lior Kahana
Oct 03, 2026
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Research & Development
Hybrid PV cooling system boosts electrical efficiency by 26%, provides building ventilation Researchers have developed a hybrid PV cooling system that combines rear-side evaporative cooling with intermittent front-side water spraying, increasing electrical efficiency by up to 26%. The system also produces precooled ventilation air, offering potential for reducing building cooling loads in hot, arid climates.
Lior Kahana
Oct 02, 2026
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Research & Development
Module cooling: too hot to handle Even after the record-breaking heat waves of this summer and associated performance losses at PV plants across the northern hemisphere, active cooling for solar arrays remains a difficult market prospect. Developers might be a bit more interested in preventing temperature-related losses, but in most cases, the numbers still don’t quite add up.
Lior Kahana
Oct 01, 2026
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Research & Development
Two-stage pyrolysis process turns waste solar panels into silicon carbide Russian scientists have developed a process that combines pyrolysis at 500 C with electric arc treatment above 1,800 C. The resulting solid product contained up to 61% silicon carbide, a material used in power electronics and refractory ceramics.
Lior Kahana
Oct 01, 2026
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Research & Development
Chinese scientists develop hydrogen-powered CO₂ heat pump with PCM storage Chinese researchers have modeled a heating system combining PEM fuel cells, a CO₂ heat pump and phase-change thermal storage, assessing the impact of different thermal boundary conditions. The results show that cathode inlet temperature has the strongest effect on hydrogen-to-heat and hydrogen-to-electricity performance, while the PCM tank can meet modeled domestic hot water demand.
Lior Kahana
Sep 30, 2026