Korean researchers achieve world record efficiency of 23.64% for flexible perovskite-CIGS tandem solar cell
Scientists at the Korea Institute of Energy Research claim to have achieved the highest efficiency ever reported for a perovskite-CIGS tandem solar cell with flexible, lightweight architecture. The device was also found to achieve “excellent” durability.
Scientists testing perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with interdigitated back contacts
A research team in Iran has designed a four-terminal perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells with a 19.3%-efficient bottom heterojunction cell and a 12.7%-efficient perovskite top cell. Both subcells were conceived to have interdigitated back contacts, with the top cell reportedly helping to improve the tandem device’s light-trapping and efficiency.
Oxford PV, Trina Solar enter patent licensing agreement for perovskite-silicon tandem solar
The exclusive license agreement covers the manufacture or sale of perovskite PV products for the Chinese market. A statement from Oxford PV says the agreement “underscores the industry consensus that perovskite-based PV technologies are the future of solar.”
Current UV tests overestimate TOPCon solar module degradation
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE) has found that current UV testing methods overestimate degradation in tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar modules, as dark storage after UV exposure causes temporary efficiency losses that largely reverse under sunlight.
Lockheed Martin developing vertical solar arrays for the Moon
The defense and aerospace company’s vertical solar array technology (VSAT) reaches up to 19.8 m in length. Lockheed Martin says the technology is capable of providing continuous and sustainable power for a range of lunar operations.
India adds 25.3 GW of module capacity, 11.6 GW of cells in 2024
Indian manufacturers built 25.3 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity in 2024, taking the nation’s panel capacity to 90.9 GW as of Dec. 31, 2024.
New simulation framework achieves higher dual land use efficiency in agrivoltaics
Researchers in Italy have conceived new agrivoltaic modeling for agrivoltaics that includes crop yield response curves for multiple crops. Once the electricity production coming from the PV modules is also assessed, the performance metrics for the agrivoltaic system as a whole are obtained.
International PV module pricing may rise to $0.11/W by year end
International PV module prices, driven by Chinese averages, will likely rise from $0.08/W to $0.10/W today to $0.11/W by the end of 2025 and potentially $0.13/W by 2027, says Clean Energy Associates (CEA), noting that heterojunction and back-contact technologies now make up 12% of global module capacity.
Using laser processed glass as solar concentrators for BIPV
Researchers from Aalto University in Finland demonstrated a proof-of-concept of laser-processed glass to be used as a type of solar concentrator for building integrated PV (BIPV) applications. The treated glass enabled a 55-fold increase in photocurrent generation compared to unprocessed glass, with an estimated optical efficiency of 0.66 %. Additionally, a fluoropolymer coating was applied to create a self-cleaning surface.
GoodWe unveils hybrid inverters for large residential applications
GoodWe says its new EHB single-phase hybrid inverters suit larger residential energy storage applications with the series supporting 200% PV oversizing, allowing for systems up to 20 kW in size.
