Photovoltaics for inland shipping vessels
Dutch researchers have looked at how PV systems could be used to power bulk vessels for inland shipping. They found that 7.18% and 5.78% of the energy demand of container ships and bulk vessels can be respectively supplied by solar panels.
Perovskite solar cell achieves 24% efficiency, retains 87% of output after 100 days
Researchers at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory claim to have achieved a breakthrough for high-efficiency perovskite solar cells.
Solar perovskite tandems and potential-induced degradation
Scientists have found that perovskite solar cells and perovskite-silicon tandems might be vulnerable to potential-induced degradation. They exposed tandem cell devices to PID stress and found that they lost as much as 50% of their initial performance after just one day.
Norwegian Crystals proceeds with 6 GW PV ingot plans
Norwegian Crystals said it has secured all relevant permits for a new manufacturing facility in Norway. Construction is expected to start by the end of this year. The factory will have an initial capacity of 3.6 GW by 2026 but will eventually reach 6 GW at a later stage, according to the company.
PV-driven rechargeable control module for ‘cyborg cockroaches’
Japanese researchers have built ultra-soft PV devices and ultra-thin electronics that can be placed on the curved abdomens of cockroaches without affecting their mobility. The system can be used to monitor hazardous areas, or for urban search-and-rescue operations.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Maxwell secures 7.2 GW order for HJT solar lines
Maxwell Technology has secured orders for its heterojunction (HJT) solar cell production lines, while TBEA has agreed to sell 336,000 metric tons of polysilicon to JinkoSolar in the 2023-30 period.
Longi brings special 66-cell solar panels to Europe
Longi’s new modules are based on M10 wafers with 66 solar cells and a newly designed frame. The special module configuration enables installation in landscape format, as the panels can also be fixed to the short side of the frame.
US solar panel shipments rose by 32% in 2021
The US Energy Information Administration’s latest report shows a steady climb in PV module shipments last year.
New ferroelectric material for lead-free perovskite solar cells
US scientists have discovered a lead-free perovskite material with ferroelectric properties that can be used in solar cells. The perovskite compound was grown from cesium germanium tribromide and initial analysis shows that it produces ferroelectricity.
Laser-enhanced contact optimization improves TOPCon solar cell performance by 0.6%
Scientists in Germany have improved the efficiency of an industrial TOPCon solar cell from 23.8% to 24.1% by using laser-enhanced contact optimization as a post-firing treatment.
