High pressure boosts eastern solar as storms hit North America’s northwest
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that North America experienced a highly variable solar performance in October, as a strong high-pressure system boosted irradiance across the eastern regions while cooler, cloudier conditions reduced solar potential in the Pacific Northwest.
Chinese solar cell prices ease as looming Indian antidumping duties prompt contract renegotiations
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.
How to reduce PV module temperature with frame perforations
Scientists in China have investigated how frame perforations can help reduce the operational temperatures of solar modules through air cooling. Their findings show that the number of perforations must be carefully calibrated, and that more is not necessarily better.
Mexico leads Latin American countries in global silver production
Commodity Trading Club (CTC) says Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina together supply more than half the world’s silver output, a cornerstone metal for solar and clean-tech industries.
Forschungszentrum Jülich achieves world record 23.08% efficiency for copper-metallized heterojunction solar cell
The cell reportedly exhibits only a 0.4% efficiency loss compared to a reference device that underwent full silver metallization.
Researchers develop antimony-doped n-type silicon ingots to enhance solar module mechanical strength
An international team is proposing to use antimony-doped Czochralski-grown silicon as an alternative to n-type silicon for photovoltaic applications. Their analysis showed that 140 μm as-cut planar antimony-doped wafers exhibit slightly higher mechanical strength compared to common wafers doped with phosphorous.
New simulation tool to measure angular losses in PV systems
Researchers in Spain reviewed six models used to calculate incidence angle modifier (IAM) losses in photovoltaic systems. They identified the Martín-Ruiz model as the most comprehensive, as it uniquely accounts for additional angular losses caused by soiling.
Argentina’s EPSE to begin module output at 400 MW solar factory
Energía Provincial Sociedad del Estado (EPSE) says production at its new vertically integrated solar factory in San Juan, Argentina, will start soon as key equipment arrives from China.
Field trial shows third-party control of residential heat pumps can provide grid flexibility
UK researchers find that smart, centrally controlled air-source heat pumps could slash peak electricity demand. The technology not only keeps homes comfortable but also boosts grid flexibility and cuts emissions.
AGC, NPC developing new PV cover glass recycling tech
The Japanese companies announced a partnership to advance the recycling of solar panel cover glass for application in architectural flat glass production.
