Current UV tests overestimate TOPCon solar module degradation
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE) has found that current UV testing methods overestimate degradation in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar modules, as dark storage after UV exposure causes temporary efficiency losses that largely reverse under sunlight.
Smoke and vanadium leak from Swiss home energy storage unit
Vanadium redox flow energy storage manufacturer Prolux Solutions said 50 l of vanadium electrolyte leaked from a residential unit in Arbon but no fire occurred.
New simulation framework achieves higher dual land use efficiency in agrivoltaics
Researchers in Italy have conceived new agrivoltaic modeling for agrivoltaics that includes crop yield response curves for multiple crops. Once the electricity production coming from the PV modules is also assessed, the performance metrics for the agrivoltaic system as a whole are obtained.
Compression-assisted adsorption thermal battery prototype for seasonal heat storage
Chinese researchers have developed a thermal battery prototype using composite sorbents and have scaled it up via simulation to operate in real world conditions. A compression ratio from 1 to 4 reporteldy boosts average output heat power by 300%.
Using laser processed glass as solar concentrators for BIPV
Researchers from Aalto University in Finland demonstrated a proof-of-concept of laser-processed glass to be used as a type of solar concentrator for building integrated PV (BIPV) applications. The treated glass enabled a 55-fold increase in photocurrent generation compared to unprocessed glass, with an estimated optical efficiency of 0.66 %. Additionally, a fluoropolymer coating was applied to create a self-cleaning surface.
Modern slavery and other clean energy ESG risks
Despite debates in some parts of the world, we can expect environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) regulation to continue making headlines in 2025. Everoze Partner Ragna Schmidt-Haupt demystifies the key sustainability risks and opportunities for solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects.
Fraunhofer ISE testing agrivoltaics on standard weather protection covers
Fraunhofer ISE and German weather protection specialist VOEN Vöhringer are testing an agrivoltaic system that uses existing crop cover structures to support solar modules, eliminating the need for a dedicated mounting system.
Spain arrests 23 people in copper theft ring targeting solar plants
The Spanish authorities have arrested 23 people and recovered 8.5 tons of stolen copper linked to a theft ring targeting PV plants in Andalusia, Extremadura and Ávila. The Civil Guard dismantled the network through Operation Kupfer, part of a broader crackdown on copper theft in the country’s solar sector.
German home battery owners can save state millions with ‘a maximum of six clicks’
Berlin-based researchers behind the ‘Your Power Storage Can Do More!’ initiative want home battery owners to use intelligent charging to help the grid and state budget, and slow battery aging.
RWE, PPC to build 567 MW of solar in Greece
Energy groups RWE and PPC have announced two new solar plants in the prefecture of Central Macedonia, northern Greece, to be developed by their joint venture company, Meton Energy SA.
