Solexant rebrands as Siva Power, transitions to new manufacturing platform
The Californian solar company’s new identity will focus on CIGS technology and a platform developed to deliver profitable, GW-level production capabilities.
German government launches 16 million organic PV R&D project
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will sponsor the Merck-led project into achieving further breakthroughs in the development of organic photovoltaics (OPV).
Solar cells picking up good vibrations
Playing pop and rock music improves the performance of solar cells, according to new research from scientists at Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London.
SunPower acquires panel-cleaning technology company Greenbotics
The acquisition of the robotic solar panel cleaning technology — which reduces water usage and improves LCOE — enhances SunPower’s energy services portfolio.
French government pledges EUR 18.5 million for solar research institute
The cutting-edge establishment — Institut Photovoltaique d’Ile-de-France (IPVF) — will be part-funded by the country’s state-backed French National Research Agency (ANR) to promote solar R&D.
International partners join ASU on SunShot-funded cell efficiency endeavor
Australia’s UNSW and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology are working with Arizona State University, Caltech and MIT to produce high-efficiency, ultra-thin silicon solar cells.
New 7 million solar energy research center launched in Wales
Swansea University, with the financial backing of the Welsh government, has launched the Ser Solar Initiative at Baglan Energy Park, which will be chaired by Professor James Durrant.
Fraunhofer ISE: Minimal deviation in module quality measurements globally
The Fraunhofer ISE CalLab PV Modules has compared the results of their PV modules measurements with three other top international measurement labs for PV modules. The round robin tests show that all measurements have a minimal deviation of ±1% from the mean, and thereby fall well within the measurement precision of 1.8%.
New solar cell structure sets record
A new world record efficiency for solar sunlight conversion has been set by a cell structure with four solar sub-cells. The solar cell has managed to hit a new record efficiency of 44.7% and is the brainchild of researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Soitec, CEA-Leti and the Helmholtz Center Berlin.
Sol Voltaics receives $9.4 million funding for nanotech development
The Sweden-based startup convinces Norwegian investors Umoe and others to invest close to $10 million to help the company develop the nanotechnology that can create 25% more efficient solar cells.
