Solar Power

Researchers from UNSW and DAS Solar developed a zero-busbar metal grid optimization approach for tunnel oxide passivated back-contact (TBC) silicon solar cells, enabling more efficient current collection at the rear surface while reducing silver consumption by 3–4 mg/W. The first TBC cells produced in mass manufacturing using this technique have demonstrated efficiencies exceeding 27%.

Research from the UK finds aerosols reduced global solar output by 5.8% in 2023, equivalent to 111 TWh. While China accounted for over half the global total in 2023, the country is the only major solar-producing region found to be demonstrating a decline in annual losses.

Researchers have developed a low-temperature, hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative liquefaction process to recycle end-of-life solar panels by selectively breaking down polymers into useful chemical feedstocks. The proposed method reduces energy consumption, eliminates hazardous solvents, and minimizes landfill waste compared to traditional recycling techniques.

The Brazilian Association of Energy Storage Solutions gathered executives to debate applications that could solve systemic challenges facing the Brazilian electricity sector. The issue, they argue, goes beyond a “BESS vs. thermal or renewables vs. energy security” debate, but involves finding the best combination of security, price, ‘renewability’, and flexibility.

The new pan-European digital platform is designed to enhance transparency and improve access to information on the hosting capacity of European electricity grids, including both transmission and distribution networks.

Polysilicon prices stayed flat in China as production and demand moved closer into balance, easing recent supply–demand pressures.

Director of the Slovak Association of Sustainable Energy, Ján Karaba, told pv magazine solar is expected to become one of the key technologies used within future energy communities in Slovakia but said regulatory improvements will be essential to unlock the full potential of decentralized solar energy.

A study from Türkiye has introduced the Agrivoltaic Innovation Index (AII), a composite scientometric tool designed to assess innovation readiness in agrivoltaics beyond traditional publication and citation metrics. The index evaluates research across four dimensions – conceptual, translational, network, and societal – and shows that high publication volume does not necessarily correspond to higher innovation readiness.

The measure aims to reduce grid connection delays and ease congestion in the National Interconnected System (SIN) amid rising electricity demand.

According to Montel, energy consumers in Europe are seeking to hedge against price volatility and supply shocks amid rising geopolitical tensions. The report said the hedging value is highest in short-term PPAs.