Articles written by Mark Hutchins

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Research & Development
In search of the perfect polymer for PV backsheets, encapsulants Scientists in Austria have examined the impact of different backsheet and encapsulant material combinations on module performance and degradation. This led them to develop a model to quantify the degradation rates of different materials, potentially helping manufacturers to identify better, longer-lasting materials for these vital module components.
Mark Hutchins
Mar 01, 2023
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Research & Development
Scratching the surface of silicon in tandem solar cells German scientists have investigated the role of surface texturing in perovskite-silicon tandem cells and have found that several new processes offer the ability to etch smaller, more uniform textures onto the surface of a silicon cell than today’s industry standard. This could help to ease the subsequent growth of a perovskite cell on top of the silicon, enabling researchers and manufacturers to target higher performance.
Mark Hutchins
Feb 28, 2023
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Semi-solid means savings on battery cost The production of lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries is a complex and costly affair, with many opportunities for improvement. US-based 24M Technologies is working with several manufacturing partners to ramp up the processing of its semi-solid battery design, which promises significant savings in equipment, processing and material costs. pv magazine met with the company’s co-founder and chief scientist, Yet-Ming Chiang, to discuss the technology and its route to market.
Mark Hutchins
Feb 08, 2023
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Applications & Installations
Big wafer benefits extend to n-type, says Trina Solar China’s Trina Solar has published a white paper on its latest n-type TOPCon modules, with cost calculations and figures from demonstration projects. The Chinese PV manufacturer claims better performance from its 210 mm cells than with other n-type products based on smaller, 182 mm cells.
Mark Hutchins
Feb 03, 2023
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Research & Development
New ‘cushion’ solution to take stress off perovskite solar cells Scientists in Germany have discovered a polymer compound that, when added to perovskite thin-film precursor materials, wraps itself around the perovskite crystals, acting as a cushion to protect the perovskite structure from thermomechanical stress. They used the additive to fabricate cells with up to 24.6% efficiency, retaining 96% of their initial performance after accelerated testing equivalent to one year in the field.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 30, 2023
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Research & Development
A look into a crystal ball reveals the secrets of perovskite solar cell stability Scientists in Switzerland and South Korea looked deep into the crystalline structure of a perovskite thin-film to better understand the mechanisms behind the sensitivity to heat and moisture that causes so many stability issues for solar cells based on these materials. They discovered a part of the crystal’s surface that is particularly vulnerable to moisture-induced degradation, and developed an approach to grow perovskite thin-films with strong resistance to moisture and thermal stress.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 27, 2023
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Markets & Policy
Africa closing in on gigawatt-level solar Solar installations across Africa hit 949 MW in 2022, bringing cumulative capacity past the 10 GW mark, according to the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA). While that may seem underwhelming for such a huge region, it shows that countries are taking big steps toward realizing the entire continent’s PV potential.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 19, 2023
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Applications & Installations
Soiling – a multibillion-dollar issue A new report by the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) estimates that lost revenue from PV module soiling amounts to more than €3 billion ($3.2 billion) per year – an amount that is only set to increase as PV systems grow larger and more efficient.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 17, 2023
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Research & Development
Pathways for perovskite PV Perovskite solar cells have created excitement in recent years, given their potential to improve virtually every area of PV, but we have yet to see such devices produced at scale. Scientists in Australia have outlined some of the challenges holding them back.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 13, 2023