UCLA develops transparent solar cell
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have developed a highly transparent solar cell for building integration.
Innovative technologies will drive PV metallization costs down
Lux Research has said that emerging technologies will bring the costs of photovoltaic metallization down and improve process yields. Overall, copper has been named as the “logical metallization winner”.
Mid-year PV review
After several years of hustling and hyperbole in the photovoltaics industry, the first half of 2012 has been a time of oversupply and underachievement globally. pv magazine takes a look at the biggest developments of the year to date. Overhang, crystalline, storage and fracking are just some of the watchwords.
Stion hits 13.4 percent CIGS module efficiency
U.S.-based thin film manufacturer, Stion has achieved a CIGS photovoltaic module efficiency of 13.4 percent, and an aperture efficiency of 14.8 percent. The results have been verified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Lack of consumer understanding highlighted in solar survey
According to Applied Materials fourth annual solar energy survey, while many consumers are said to be “optimistic” about the renewable energy, there is a lack of understanding regarding costs and adoption rates.
US: New CIGS PV roadmap announced
Three photovoltaic industry executives have been chosen to lead a new U.S. CIGS PV Roadmap. The aim is to create a national plan for the CIGS industry in order to boost its competitiveness.
Kaneka and imec hit 22.68 percent heterojunction cell efficiency
Japans Kaneka Corporation and Belgium-based imec have achieved an efficiency of 22.68 percent on a six inch semi-square heterojunction silicon solar cell using an electroplated copper contact grid. The results have been confirmed by the Fraunhofer ISE CalLab.
Shinsung achieves 20.03 percent solar cell efficiency
Korea-based Shinsung Solar Energy has achieved a new crystalline solar cell efficiency of 20.03 percent. The results have been confirmed by Germanys Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.
DSC PV market poised for significant expansion
Key technical breakthroughs in the past year have pushed the dye sensitized cell (DSC) photovoltaic market out of the research and development stage, making it a technology with solid growth potential in the near future.
US to invest up to $25 million in plug-and-play PV systems
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has said US$5 million will be made available for the development of plug-and-play photovoltaic systems in 2012, under the SunShot initiative. Over the next four years, it hopes to invest an additional $20 million.
