The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has launched two innovative solar+storage projects, aimed at the residential sector, in Western Australia today. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Alkimos Beach suburban central battery system, and a truly groundbreaking solar+storage project for an apartment development was launched.

PV cells deploying a perovskite semiconductor layer are likely to reach commercial deployment around 2019-2020, reports Lux Research in a recent report. Lux notes that there are new opportunities for partnerships with universities in commercializing the technology.

Hanwha Q Cells will source 700 MW of kerfless wafers from 1366 Technologies, under a five-year supply contract. The supply deal, announced today, is the largest commercial deployment of kerfless wafer technology, which avoids feedstock waste by forming a silicon PV wafer from molten silicon, in 1366’s approach, or from gas.

The 7th annual Solarex trade show is Istanbul closed its doors on Saturday. pv magazine was on the spot and tried to make sense of the ever-shifting regulatory and solar business landscape of this promising but, at times, frustrating market.

U.S. thin film manufacturer and project developer First Solar will provide 230 MW worth of modules to a subsidiary of project developer Silicon Ranch. The deal will see shipments commence in Q1 2017 and continue through to Q1 2018.

The ever-dynamic PV module supply chain regularly throws up unexpected results and unintended consequences. Edurne Zoco, IHS’ senior manager and principal analyst, solar research group, spoke to pv magazine about some of the emerging and continuing trends in 2016.

The Swedish homefurnishing giant is rolling out its residential solar program in three European countries in the coming months before expanding its solar sales points in stores globally. It aims to be the largest residential solar retailer globally.

Dutch atomic layer deposition (ALD) equipment supplier SoLayTec will deliver its first equipment to a Taiwanese PV cell manufacturer this month. The deal is alongside bookings made from an additional three new customers, with the company saying it has now shipped tooling to China, Japan and Europe.

U.S. heterojunction technology developer Natcore has announced hitting 17.5 percent laboratory efficiency with its aluminum ‘all-back’ contacted cells. The company says its HJT cells have increased in efficiency from four percent in only eleven months.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will cease distributing grants for projects after it executes its AU$100 million (US$76 million) large scale solar program. The government will create a new body, without providing additional funds, into which ARENA will be absorbed.