Japanese scientists build heterojunction solar cell based on titanium dioxide, selenium
Scientists in Japan developed a 4.49%-efficient solar cell based on titanium dioxide and selenium. The devices is based on a new approach aimed at reducing interfacial recombination and increasing open-circuit voltage and efficiency.
India proposes ALMM mandate for solar cells from April
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has started accepting feedback on draft guidelines for the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells. The MNRE plans to implement the guidelines from April 2026.
Terpyridine-passivated perovskite solar cells achieve 25.24% efficiency
An international team of researchers demonstrated perovskite solar cells treated with a molecular passivator based on π-conjugated terpyridine Lewis-base molecules that achieved 25.24% power conversion efficiency, with 90% retained after 2,664 hours of light exposure. The treatment reportedly works at high concentrations without damaging the perovskite film or diminishing cell performance. A protocol was published to reproduce the results, opening the door to testing it on a range of perovskite absorbers.
Citroën lightweight compact EV equipped with solar kits
La Croisière Verte is the name of a 13,500 km expedition from the north to south of Africa in a fleet of four Citroën AMI vehicles, each carrying 5,600 W of lightweight PV panels in foldable packs.
Solar cell makers can learn from giant clams, claim Yale researchers
Yale University scientists are seeking industry collaborators to explore stretchy material for panels and growing algae on modules, as well as other efficiency-boosting possibilities inspired by giant clam behavior.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: JA Solar, TCL, Tongwei, GCL Technology post H1 losses
JA Solar has reported a net loss of CNY 874 million ($123.3 million) for the first half of 2024, while Tongwei posted a loss of CNY 3.13 billion. TCL Zhonghuan and GCL Technology also recorded losses of CNY 3.06 billion and CNY 1.48 billion, respectively.
Wafer manufacturers extend efforts at price reversal
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Photon shifting, trapping enable 28.2% higher photocurrent in perovskite solar cells
Researchers in Portugal adopted a new light trapping strategy to build an ultrathin perovskite solar cells that may reportedly have a longer operational lifetime. They utilized an LDS coating combined with a checkerboard photonic front structure to protect the cells against UV-enabled degradation and simultaneously improve UV irradiation.
Cellphone-linked portable device for real-time solar module characterization
Scientists in Colombia have conceived a new portable electronic device for on-site measurements of the I-V and P-V curves of photovoltaic panels. The novel system considers solar radiation, ambient temperature, electric current, and voltage signals from a PV panel via a cellphone through a mobile application.
Chinese PV leaders ask Beijing for new tender pricing mechanisms
Chinese PV industry leaders are urging Beijing to implement requirements to help manufacturers operate more sustainably, as solar module prices hit record lows in China’s large-scale PV tenders.
