China imposes export controls on critical minerals for thin-film PV
China has announced new export restrictions on materials essential for the thin-film solar industry, including critical minerals such as tungsten, tellurium, and indium.
Thin-film tandem solar in the U.S.
Tandem solar-cell technology featuring silicon has been widely researched but materials such as perovskites, paired with established thin-film solar or with other perovskite cells, are pointing to a new development path.
US manufacturer Toledo Solar closes business
Toledo Solar says it has ended all R&D efforts and will wind down operations immediately due to an inability to license necessary technology for its cadmium telluride panels.
Midsummer, Kaisheng partner on thin-film solar production
China’s Kaisheng New Energy Technology has agreed to produce a new line of thin-film solar panels for rooftops under an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with Sweden’s Midsummer. The modules will be exclusive to the European rooftop market through Midsummer.
Cadmium telluride solar cell based on indium gallium oxide emitter achieves 17.2%
Developed by the University of Toledo, the cell achived the highest efficiency ever reported for flexible cadmium telluride solar cells to date. The device reached an open-circuit voltage of 861 mV, a short-circuit density of 27.8 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 71.7%.
Thin-film solar is the future of agrivoltaics
In contrast with traditional panels, thin-film solar modules are much more adaptable to these agricultural situations, thanks to their flexible, lightweight design.
Ascent Solar acquires Swiss thin-film solar module maker Flisom
Ascent Solar says its acquisition of Flisom will triple its production capacity.
Lightsource bp expands First Solar module supply plan to 8.3 GW
Lighsource bp has ordered 4 GW of US-made thin-film solar panels, adding to the 4.3 GW it ordered in 2021. Silicon Ranch, meanwhile, expanded upon its master supply agreement with First Solar, which includes a 4 GW transaction announced in April 2022.
IIT-Madras Research Park signs thin-film R&D deal with First Solar
IIT Madras Research Park and US-based First Solar have agreed to cooperate on a range of R&D activities, including the localization of thin-film solar and other next-generation PV technologies in India.
Avancis claims 19.64% efficiency for CIGS module
The German manufacturer said the result was confirmed by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The achieved efficiency is claimed to be a world record for a CIGS panel with an integrated series connection of 30×30 cm.
