CIGS cell with ultra-thin glass substrate hits record efficiency of 17.81%
South Korean researchers have fabricated a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell with a 90 μm-thick UTG provided by South Korea’s Unique Technology Integral. The device uses a cadmium-free buffer layer made of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, instead of cadmium sulfide.
Average silver price up 21% in 2024, says Silver Institute
Demand for silver in the PV industry hit 197.6 million ounces in 2024, according to a new report from the Silver Institute. It says the average silver price stood at $28.27 per troy ounce last year, up from $23.35 in 2023.
Dutch utilities to test lower tariffs during solar production peaks
Dutch utilities Eneco and Delta Energie will test lower electricity tariffs for consumers – regardless of PV system ownership – who shift consumption to periods of peak solar generation. The pilot aims to encourage flexible demand during midday hours.
Fraunhofer ISE developing heterojunction solar cells with silver consumption of less than 2 mg per W
Researchers at the German institute are seeking to reduce silver use in heterojunction PV devices under the umbrella of an extensive research projects. Among their recent achievements there is the fabrication of a heterojunction cell that requires a minimal silver consumption of only 1.4 mg per W.
Fronius launches hybrid inverters for residential, commercial applications
The Austrian manufacturer said its new hybrid inverters can increase the usable output of the PV system to up to 150%. They are available in six version with rated AC power ranging from 15 kW to 33.3 kW.
CEA-INES unveils PV module interconnection tech that reduces silver use by 26%
The French research institute found that switching from silver cell metallization to silver-copper metallization can lower the total silver quantity in a heterojunction module, with a total silver amount of only 14 mgAg/W being required. Their interconnection technique is based on low silver content electrically conductive adhesives and copper ribbons.
Global solar module shipments hit 703 GW in 2024
The new edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV), published this week, reports that average PV module prices last year dropped by 33% compared to the end of 2023.
Vietnam publishes feed-in tariffs for large-scale solar-plus-storage
The Vietnamese authorities released the feed-in tariff levels for ground-mounted and floating PV plants, with or without storage.
Frascold, Tecnofreddo present high-temperature propane heat pump
Conceived for industrial applications, the Danae heat pump system is available in 10 versions with cooling capacities ranging from 22.1 kW to 156.9 kW and heating capacities spanning from 24.8 kW and 181.6 kW.
New research sheds light on intrinsic limitations of selenium solar cells
Danish researchers have analyzed fundamental material properties of selenium solar cells and have found their potential is higher than generally believed. They used carrier-resolved photo-Hall analysis to address discrepancies and reproduce experimental current-voltage and external quantum efficiency measurements.
