Articles written by Mark Hutchins

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Applications & Installations
Impact of dust, heat, soiling on solar project performance Scientists in Morocco recently conducted a year-long study on the impacts of soiling on PV modules in arid, dusty conditions. They found that soiling could contribute to daily performance losses of as much as 15%.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 04, 2023
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Research & Development
A closer look at potential-induced degradation in solar cells UK scientists have examined the impacts of potential-induced degradation (PID) in solar cells and modules, based on a field study from a 1.2 MW PV system in Spain. Meanwhile, in a separate study, scientists in Japan have created a model for one of the less-investigated PID mechanisms, creating a model of its progress that will be useful in future research and mitigation efforts.
Mark Hutchins
Jan 02, 2023
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Indian ambition PV manufacturing is expanding rapidly in India. The country will remain one of the world’s largest PV markets in the coming years, and it is keen to free itself from dependence on imported solar goods. But rapid scale-up, featuring new players and technologies, comes with risks and challenges that need to be carefully managed.
Mark Hutchins
Dec 08, 2022
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Research & Development
Ultra-thin, radiation-resistant solar cells for new space applications UK scientists have developed a solar cell based on a layer of gallium-arsenide just 80 nanometers thick, with similar performance to much thicker devices. It showed excellent resistance to damage from radiation exposure, making it ideal for high-radiation satellite/space applications.
Mark Hutchins
Nov 11, 2022
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Research & Development
Gallium doping for 24.47%-efficient p-type heterojunction solar cells French scientists have studied the fabrication of silicon heterojunction cells with p-type wafers. With the adoption of gallium doping, the p-type products could come close to matching the performance of their n-type counterparts. But optimal doping levels will be key to advancing this tech, said the researchers.
Mark Hutchins
Nov 10, 2022
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Technology & Products
Flashing solutions for perovskite tandem cells, modules A new white paper by testing equipment specialist Wavelabs outlines key challenges that the solar industry will face when it comes to testing and characterizing perovskite-silicon tandem cells in manufacturing environments.
Mark Hutchins
Nov 09, 2022
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Applications & Installations
Singapore to adopt solar forecasting model Scientists have completed a one-year trial of a model that calculates solar irradiation forecasts up to 24 hours in advance. Singapore’s Energy Market Authority now plans to adopt solar irradiance forecasting, as the model has an average error rate below 10% for one-hour forecasts.
Mark Hutchins
Nov 07, 2022
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Research & Development
Longi launches all new back contact module, promising 22.8% efficiency Longi has launched a series of modules featuring an all-new hybrid passivated back contact cell technology, with which it claims a maximum module efficiency of 22.8% in mass production. It will initially offer the modules in 54, 60, 66 and 72 cell formats, targeting rooftop and distributed generation applications.
Mark Hutchins
Nov 02, 2022
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Research & Development
Putting bifacial modules to the test US scientists recently put different bifacial solar cells and modules through a series of tests at elevated temperature, humidity, voltage and mechanical stress levels. The tests revealed a range of light-induced and potential-induced degradation mechanisms that modules will likely suffer in the field.
Mark Hutchins
Nov 01, 2022