Triple-junction perovskite–perovskite–silicon solar cell achieves record-breaking efficiency of 24.4%
Developed by scientists in Germany, the triple-junction cell is based on a perovskite top cell with an energy bandgap of 1.84 eV, a perovskite middle cell with bandgap of 1.52 eV, and a silicon bottom cell with a bandgap of 1.1 eV. The device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 2.84 V, a short-circuit current of 11.6 mA cm–2, and a fill factor of 74%.
Rooftop PV to outpace all renewables in Australia, says Green Energy Markets
A new report by Green Energy Markets (GEM) to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) confirms the future domination of rooftop solar and battery storage in Australia, with a projected cumulative PV capacity potential of 66 GW to 98.5 GW by 2054.
Refurbishing heritage buildings with BIPV, heat pumps, energy efficiency
An energy makeover of a heritage-listed church built in 1965, including new solar PV roof, new insulation, new windows, and heat pumps, enables it produce 149% of its energy requirements. The achievement garnered the project team the Norman Foster Solar Award 2023.
Italy’s annual new solar additions hit 5.23 GW in 2023
Italy installed 5.23 GW of new solar in 2023, bringing its cumulative installed PV capacity to 30.28 GW by December, according to trade body Italia Solare.
Colombia assigns 4.4 GW of solar for $0.0182/kWh in latest energy auction
The Colombian authorities have allocated 4.4 GW of solar capacity at a rate of $0.0182/kWh in the nation’s latest energy auction, with solar plants accounting for approximately 99% of the assigned capacity.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: CNNC launches inverter procurement tender
China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), a Chinese state-owned nuclear producer, has revealed plans to procure 1 GW of inverters, while Mubon High-Tech said it may scrap its plans to build a 5 GW heterojunction solar cell factory in China’s Anhui province.
Pahal Solar expanding PV module capacity to 1.8 GW
India’s Pahal Solar says it is ramping up its solar module production capacity to 1.8 GW per year, from 800 MW at present.
PV and prices, the fast uptake of solar in Brazil
In a new monthly column for pv magazine, the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) reports that Brazil currently has more than 85% renewable electricity, mainly hydropower, but with rapidly growing shares of solar and wind power. With 2.3 million rooftop PV systems installed so far and more than 90 million consumer units still available to go solar, favourable energy policies and cheap PV are encouraging the fast uptake of solar in the country.
Sharp unveils all-black 425 W TOPCon solar panel with 21.76% efficiency
Sharp’s new IEC61215- and IEC61730-certified solar panels have an operating temperature coefficient of -0.30% per degree Celsius, with 21.76% efficiency.
Demystifying upcoming EU Ecodesign and Energy Label rules for solar PV
Ahead of the upcoming introduction of EU Ecodesign and Energy Label policy measures for solar PV products, SolarPower Europe brings some reflections on the topic, adding insights to the ongoing industry discussions.
