CIGS solar cell based on ultrathin glass substrate achieves record efficiency of 17.81%
Korean researchers have fabricated a CIGS cell with a 90 μm-thick UTG provided by Korean specialist Unique Technology Integral. The device also utilizes a cadmium-free buffer layer made of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, instead of commonly used cadmium sulfide.
Average silver price up 21% in 2024, says Silver Institute
Demand for silver in the PV industry hit 197.6 million ounces in 2024, according to a new report from the Silver Institute. It says the average silver price stood at $28.27 per troy ounce last year, up from $23.35 in 2023.
China identifies major high-purity quartz deposits for PV industry
China has identified two new high-purity quartz deposits as it seeks to localize supply for solar and semiconductor production and reduce dependence on US imports
Fraunhofer ISE developing heterojunction solar cells with silver consumption of less than 2 mg per W
Researchers at the German institute are seeking to reduce silver use in heterojunction PV devices under the umbrella of an extensive research projects. Among their recent achievements there is the fabrication of a heterojunction cell that requires a minimal silver consumption of only 1.4 mg per W.
CEA-INES unveils PV module interconnection tech that reduces silver use by 26%
The French research institute found that switching from silver cell metallization to silver-copper metallization can lower the total silver quantity in a heterojunction module, with a total silver amount of only 14 mgAg/W being required. Their interconnection technique is based on low silver content electrically conductive adhesives and copper ribbons.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: PowerChina cancels 51 GW module tender for 2025
PowerChina has scrapped its 51 GW solar module tender for 2025 due to the impact of policy shifts on procurement needs. The tender, which began in November 2024, attracted 58 bids, with average quotes of CNY 0.68 ($0.093)/W for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules and CNY 0.773/W for heterojunction (HJT) modules.
Global solar module shipments hit 703 GW in 2024
The new edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV), published this week, reports that average PV module prices last year dropped by 33% compared to the end of 2023.
New research sheds light on intrinsic limitations of selenium solar cells
Danish researchers have analyzed fundamental material properties of selenium solar cells and have found their potential is higher than generally believed. They used carrier-resolved photo-Hall analysis to address discrepancies and reproduce experimental current-voltage and external quantum efficiency measurements.
Longi claims world’s highest efficiency for silicon solar cells
Longi said it has achieved a 27.81% efficiency rating for a hybrid interdigitated back contact, as confirmed by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH).
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Polysilicon output rises, stirring oversupply fears
China’s polysilicon and solar module prices held steady this week amid low trading volumes, but softening producer quotes and rising output across the supply chain signaled mounting oversupply risks.
