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The impact of wind load effects on offshore floating photovoltaics

Researchers have investigated the aerodynamic performance of a single floating PV setup of 16 panels, as well as an array that combined 15 such setups. They found that drag coefficient distributions and wind pressure effects on PV systems vary by inlet angle. They have also identified cost-saving opportunities through material optimization.
Manufacturing

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on hole selective monolayers achieves 29.8% efficiency

Researchers from Fraunhofer ISE and KAUST built a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell that reportedly offers improved reproducibility. The device relies on self-assembled monolayers that reportedly result in low parasitic absorption and rapid charge ext...
Energy Storage

Quidnet Energy tests MWh-scale geomechanical energy storage

Quidnet Energy has demonstrated its long-duration geomechanical energy storage (GES) at the megawatt-hour scale. The tech stores excess grid electricity by pressurizing water underground, later releasing it to supply reliable power.
Announcements

New February edition

The February 2025 edition of pv magazine Global is out now!

Available in print and digital – get your copy today!

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Markets & Policy

Gotion launches 7 MWh BESS container, 650 Ah cell

The Chinese manufacturer has joined the energy density race with the release of its latest utility-scale battery energy storage system and high-capacity cells.
Installations

Ireland urges schools to avail of solar scheme before extended deadline

The Irish government is appealing to schools to apply for the second round of its solar for schools program before the March 7 deadline. More than 750 schools have been approved for funding in this phase to date.
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Energy Storage

Fronius introduces 15.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery for rooftop PV

The Austrian manufacturer has launched its first battery system using LFP cells. A total of up to four units can be connected in parallel for a capacity of 63 kWh.
Markets & Policy

UK closes in on 18 GW following solar deployment data update

Revised data brings annual PV additions to 1.3 GW for 2024, putting 18 GW of total deployed capacity within touching distance. However, a significant increase in deployment speed is essential to hit UK government clean energy targets for 2030.
Manufacturing

Zimbabwean telecom company opens solar-storage tender

TelOne Zimbabwe says it is seeking bids to finance and deploy solar and lithium-ion storage projects at its exchange sites.

Press Releases

LONGi’s “Lighthouse Factory” was fully upgraded, HPBC 2.0 production line put into operation

On February 25, LONGi held the “HPBC 2. 0 ‘Lighthouse Factory' Media Tour” at the Jiaxing base, which is the first time that the HPBC 2.

Smarter Solar Investment: AECAR Srl Achieves Higher Yield and Faster Payback with AIKO

AECAR Srl, a manufacturer of precious metal electrical contacts in Meda (MB), Italy, was looking for a high-efficiency solar solution to reduce its energy costs and improve sustainability. With rising electricity prices and the need for reliable power, the company required a system that could maximize energy production while ensuring long-term financial returns.

Jinko ESS Partners with UBOLTECH INTERTRADE COMPANY LIMITED to Deploy SunTera Energy Storage Systems to local Factory in Thailand

JinkoSolar has recently secured another ESS contract with UBOLTECH INTERTRADE COMPANY LIMITED (UTI), to supply 25MWh of SunTera liquid-cooled energy storage systems for a landmark project at a local Factory.

The Perfect Optimizer Match for Solar Power: How SUNGO iOPT 800W Redefines PV System Efficiency

While photovoltaic optimizers have traditionally been regarded as "non-essential" optional components, the rapid adoption of distributed PV systems in commercial/industrial (C&I) and residential applications reveals critical challenges: shadow obstructions, component degradation, and environmental temperature differentials continue to erode system returns. The growing disparity between theoretical and actual power generation makes intelligent optimizer solutions the key to overcoming these obstacles.

Opinion & Analysis

Featured

Global solar module prices largely stabilize with upward momentum

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.

Mitigating risks in new PV technologies

The solar energy industry continues to push the boundaries of efficiency and reliability. However, as innovative photovoltaic cell and module technologies emerge, they also bring a new set of challenges in durability and performance. A new report from IEA PVPS Task 13, titled “Degradation and Failure Modes in New Photovoltaic Cell and Module Technologies,” offers a comprehensive analysis of degradation and failure mechanisms in current photovoltaic technologies.

Colored modules for building-integrated photovoltaics

Taking inspiration from the 3D photonic structures on a Morpho butterfly’s shimmering blue wings, scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed colored solar panels that can be incorporated into a building’s exterior practically invisibly while maintaining high efficiency.

Solar module downward price trend has been reversed

High-efficiency solar modules are becoming scarce, prompting some retailers to stockpile in anticipation of rising prices, says Martin Schachinger, founder of pvXchange.com. He expects module prices to climb moderately but steadily until at least early next quarter.

‘The solar industry can offer unique opportunities for women to take on leadership, technical roles’

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Letizia Coradeschi, Investments at Switzerland’s SUSI Partners AG. She says that normalizing parental leave and flexible work schedules that support work-life balance would further help retain female talent past junior and mid-level positions. “Despite the hurdles, my personal experience led me to believe that, coupled with persistence and resilience, this is a space where women can thrive and lead,” she states.

Persistent cloud drops British Isles solar output in early February

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that cloud-bearing weather systems dominated the British Isles, significantly reducing irradiance across the UK and Ireland between 9 and 18 February 2025, when solar generation reached in the region its lowest levels relative to capacity in at least a decade.

Markets & Policy

Featured

Serbia awards 645 MW in second renewables auction

Serbia has allocated 645 MW across 10 wind and solar projects in its second renewables auction, setting average prices at €0.0509 ($0.0533)/kWh for solar and €0.0535/kWh for wind. The government said the rates are well below market levels.

FranklinWH launches 15 kWh residential battery

The 15 kWh aPower 2 battery can store input from solar, grid, generator and EV.

Sinovoltaics updates map of North American solar supply chain

The North American manufacturing hub has added several new producers across the PV module supply chain but analysts see continued cell, wafer, and polysilicon capacity constraints. The report is based on announcements of capacities at sites in the region producing PV modules, cells, wafers, ingots, polysilicon, and metallurgical-grade silicon.

First Solar ships 14.1 GW of thin-film solar modules in 2024

First Solar delivered 14.1 GW of thin-film solar modules in 2024, driving $4.2 billion in revenue. The US cadmium telluride panel maker now faces global policy uncertainty.

Sodium-ion battery study offers power and energy breakthrough with new organic cathode

New cathode material combined with carbon nanotubes delivers high energy and power in sodium-ion batteries.

BP slashes renewables investment, seeks new Lightsource BP partner

Oil and gas giant BP wants to sell stake in Lightsource BP just four months after completing full takeover of the renewables developer. New “strategy reset” will also cut company’s investment in energy transition by $5 billion per year.

Installations

Featured

The impact of different substrates on solar module performance

A research team has analyzed the effects of different substrates on PV module performance and has found that ground soil achieves the highest efficiency at 21.1%, followed by grass (19.6%), wood (17.95%), concrete (16.2%), roof tiles (14.3%), and iron sheets (11.5%).

LevelTen launches new platform to buy, sell renewable assets

LevelTen says its new Asset Marketplace Listings platform will streamline the buying and selling of renewable energy assets. The platform covers projects of all sizes across Europe, including storage.

Survey reveals most popular inverter, solar brands for Australian installers

A new survey shows that most Australian solar installers are not concerned about solar panel and battery brands, but have a clear preference when it comes to inverters.

India adds 25 GW of solar in 2024

India installed a record 25.2 GW of solar in 2024, driven by a surge in large-scale PV, according to Mercom India.

PV-driven mobile homes for disaster recovery

Researchers in Japan have demonstrated solar-powered mobile homes including a bedroom and living room with an integrated kitchen, bathroom, restroom, and lavatory. Their work demonstrates how renewable energy can enhance resilience in temporary housing solutions, reducing reliance on external power sources.

New algorithm for fault detection in renewables microgrids

An Iraqi-Canadian research team has created a new algorithm that can detect direction change in the line current of renewables-based microgrids. The novel approach can be applied to both grid-forming and grid-following infrastructures.

Technology

Featured

Italy’s Enea testing highly UV-transparent encapsulants

The Italian research agency has tested new UV aging tests on solar PV mini-modules made with UV-transparent polyolefins encapsulants and has found that thermal and chemical stability benefits in thermoplastic polyolefin-based (TPO) compared to EVA encapsulants.

Jolywood releases 595 W bifacial TOPCon solar panel for harsh environments

The Chinese manufacturer said that its new glass-backsheet Windproof module utilizes a zinc-aluminum-magnesium surface alloy technology and a high-strength steel substrate. It features a power conversion efficiency of up to 23.03%.

Iberdrola launches innovation contest for PV technologies

Iberdrola, through its Perseo startup program, has partnered with the Spanish National Association of European Business and Innovation Centres (ANCES) to launch an innovation program for startups and entrepreneurs in the PV sector. One selected entry will conduct a pilot project and may scale its technology with the Spanish energy multinational.

EU unveils Clean Industrial Deal to improve competitiveness, cut emissions

The European Commission has launched the Clean Industrial Deal, a plan to boost industrial competitiveness and accelerate decarbonization. The initiative aims to lower energy costs, support clean technology, and streamline regulations amid high energy prices and global competition.

Strategies to reduce perovskite solar cell degradation caused by thermal stress

An international team investigated repeated thermal stress on metal-halide perovskite solar cells and has proposed strategies to boost resistance to degradation effects of diurnal cycles or geographical conditions.

New method to predict potential induced degradation in glass-glass TOPCon solar modules

A research group led by Chinese manufacturer Trina Solar has outlined a new approach to predict potential induced degradation (PID) in dual-glass solar panels under multiple typical field conditions. The novel methodology is claimed to facilitate simultaneous PID and light exposure.

Manufacturing

Featured

‘Solar module prices will soon go back to over $0.12/W’

The global solar module industry is expected to regain a sustainable balance in the next six months, Yana Hryshko, head of Solar Supply Chain Research for Wood Mackenzie, told pv magazine. She explains why solar module prices may increase soon, suggesting that Tier 1 modules prices could reach $0.14-$0.15/W by the end of this year, and discusses how consolidation is materializing within the global PV industry.

First Solar sues JinkoSolar for alleged TOPCon patent infringement

First Solar has sued JinkoSolar in a US federal court in Delaware, claiming that the Chinese manufacturer infringed upon US Patent No. 9,130,074, which is related to tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar technology.

Chinese PV Industry Brief: Renshine Solar working on new perovskite factory

Renshine Solar says it is building a gigawatt-scale perovskite PV module factory in Jiangsu province, with a planned investment of CNY 1.25 billion ($172.4 million). Its perovskite solar panels hit a power conversion efficiency of 18.4% in January 2024.

Canadian startup unveils substring inverter prototypes

Daanaa says its news Zodiac substring inverter delivers up to 42% more energy than a regular setup.

Strawberry fields forever, and with transparent PV

Scientists have grown strawberries under thin-film cadmium telluride panels with varying transparency. They found that 40% transparency maintained a greater than 80% yield of uncovered plants. If all strawberry farms in the world were converted to agrivoltaics, they would produce up to 173 TWh a year.

EnergySage ranks top solar panel brands in US market

EnergySage, a residential PV marketplace operator, has released a review of the top solar panel brands in the US market.

Energy Storage

Featured

Greece presents 3.5 GW standalone battery storage rollout plan

A draft ministerial decision envisages the installation of 3.55 GW of standalone battery energy storage systems which will be granted priority connection to the transmission or distribution grid and operated on a merchant basis without subsidy support.

The Hydrogen Stream: Air Products cancels three US projects

Air Products is pulling out of three US projects due to unfavorable economics and regulatory changes. The company says it remains focused on its Neom green project in Saudi Arabia and the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex

German housebuilder puts some LG home batteries into standby mode after explosion

Construction company Viebrockhaus made the move after an incident in Schönberg where a home fitted with a solar-plus-storage system suffered an explosion which destroyed a wall of the house. The builder, and battery maker LG, have put some units into standby mode and others have had their operating capacities reduced.

Dubai issues tender for 7th phase of giant solar park

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a tender for the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which could add up to 2 GW of PV capacity and 1 GW of battery storage.

Bosch unveils residential heat pumps based on inverter ducted split tech

The new product series uses R-454B as the refrigerant and is available in four versions.

Australia gives go-ahead to its first compressed air storage project

Broken Hill is closer to becoming one of the world’s largest renewable energy microgrids with the New South Wales (NSW) government giving planning approval for a compressed air energy storage (CAES) facility near the historic mining town.

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