Cells & modules
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Nickel powder optimization cuts TOPCon solar cell metallization costs by 6.8% without compromising efficiency
Researchers at Australia’s UNSW, in collaboration with SunDrive and Shenzhen APG, have demonstrated that replacing part of the silver with nickel in TOPCon solar cell rear metallization can reduce raw-metal costs by 6.8% with almost no efficiency loss. Their findings show that nickel powder characteristics and paste consumption are key to achieving cost-effective silver substitution.
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Chinese scientists develop self-powered PV-TEG system for hotspot detection, thermal management
Researchers in China have developed a self-powered PV-TEG system that combines hotspot detection, passive cooling, and wireless monitoring. Outdoor tests showed a hotspot localization error of 9.93 mm, a temperature reduction of up to 7.7 C, and approximately 45 wireless transmissions over 10 hours.
Planar heat pipes reduce peak temperatures by up to 32 C in PV cooling tests
An international research team has tested five planar heat pipe designs for PV module cooling, achieving peak surface temperature reductions of 8 C to 32 C. The researchers estimated that active water cooling could increase annual electricity generation by 2.2% to 3.6% under conditions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Zwitterions could be much more than defect passivators in perovskite solar cells
Chinese researchers have reviewed the potential of zwitterions to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells through defect passivation, crystallization control, and interface engineering. They found that these compounds could also enhance charge extraction, stabilize the perovskite structure, and suppress ion migration and electrode degradation.
Stepped air channel, perforated fins improve passive cooling in PVT
Researchers have proposed a PV-thermal air collector that combines a stepped channel with perforated V-shaped fins to improve heat dissipation. Simulations showed that the design reduced PV surface temperature by 9 C and reached a maximum thermal efficiency of 31%.
Gallium-doped zinc oxide enables 24.92%-efficient HJT solar cell
Researchers have used room-temperature reactive plasma deposition to produce indium-free transparent electrodes for silicon heterojunction solar cells. Optimizing the oxygen content during deposition enabled a conversion efficiency of 24.92%, with silver-coated copper contacts.
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Researchers improve heating uniformity in PV module laminators
Scientists combined aluminum magnetic shielding with zone-specific current control to reduce uneven heating in an induction-powered PV laminator. A full-scale prototype achieved a temperature spread of approximately 3.1 C across 13 monitored locations.
New coating technology could reduce glass usage in photovoltaic modules by up to 40%
German startup Exxosqel has developed a coating technology that strengthens solar glass by targeting microscopic surface cracks. Developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research, the technology could reduce glass weight by up to 40% and overall PV module weight by approximately 30%.
Researchers improve perovskite cell stability with lithium-removal process
KIER researchers have developed a nickel oxide-based catalytic process that removes lithium ions from the hole transport layer of perovskite solar cells to improve stability. The cells achieved an efficiency of 25.24% and retained over 90% of their initial performance after 500 hours of continuous operation.
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