Cells & modules
All Cells & modules news
Georgia Tech, Bert Thin Films build 24.3%-efficient copper-contacted TOPCon solar cell via LECO
Georgia Tech-led researchers developed a 24.3%-efficient n-TOPCon solar cell using screen-printed rear copper contacts and LECO, nearly matching a 24.5% silver-contacted reference. The approach sharply reduced contact resistance while limiting copper diffusion, highlighting its potential to lower silver consumption and solar cell manufacturing costs.
The race for space solar
The space economy could be worth as much at $2 trillion by 2040 – according to a recent report by professional services provider PwC. The cisLunar orbit, between the earth and the moon, is particularly promising. But all of it requires power and, as it has for decades, that means PV – and both the technology and supplier landscape for orbital solar is diversifying. Eternal Sun | WAVELABS‘ Pepijn Veling reports from a series of events the company has attended across the country, on what is a fast-evolving technology and business landscape.
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U.S. DOE seeks ‘mass, radiation tolerance, and durability’ in space solar cell manufacturing
Pursuing “space superiority” and critical supply chain risk mitigation, the DOE is providing grants seven to eleven research projects to advance space solar cell technologies, from III-V cells to standard terrestrial silicon and perovskites.
IoT-controlled jute cooling reduces PV module temperature by 21.4 C
Tunisian researchers have developed an IoT-controlled jute-fabric cooling system that reduced PV module temperature by up to 21.4 C and increased power output by 40.44% in desert conditions. The system uses 86% less water than previous natural-fiber cooling approaches while achieving an 81.3% water recovery rate.
Chinese scientists achieve record-breaking 27.35% efficiency for perovskite-organic tandem solar cell
Nanjing University researchers developed a perovskite-organic tandem solar cell using a novel low-bandgap acceptor to boost near-infrared light harvesting and improve photocurrent matching. The device achieved a 27.35% efficiency, while retaining 80% of its initial performance after 744 hours of continuous illumination.
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Rocket Lab launches 31.5%-efficient inverted metamorphic space solar cell
Rocket Lab has released its high-efficiency IMM Apex solar cell, eliminating costly and scarce germanium substrates while achieving 31.5% beginning-of-life conversion efficiency.
The cell is reportedly 40% lighter than legacy triple-junction products and is designed as a drop-in replacement, improving spacecraft power-to-weight performance while reducing supply-chain risks.
Two-step process turns end-of-life PV backsheets into supercapacitor electrodes
Chinese researchers have developed a two-step process to recycle waste TPT solar backsheets into hierarchical porous carbon for supercapacitor electrodes. The resulting material achieved a specific capacitance of 469 F/g and retained 92.4% of its initial capacitance after 10,000 cycles.
Longi, Soochow University unveil 34.0% perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on dual-anchored interfacial design
Soochow University and Longi researchers developed a ZrO₂ interfacial strategy that reduces recombination and leakage while improving charge extraction in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The resulting device achieved 2.014 V open-circuit voltage and retained 84% of its initial efficiency after 2,000 hours.
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