Emiliano Bellini
Is solar really root cause of Spain’s massive power outage?
Some media outlets have speculated that Spain’s April 28 blackout may have been caused by a disconnected solar plant, but DNV grid analyst Andrea Mansoldo tells pv magazine that it was likely due to a combination of grid weakness and low-frequency oscillations.
Top-cell transparency remains critical challenge for tandem solar cells
New research has shown how improving top-cell transparency and performance remains key to the commercialization of tandem perovskite-silicon solar cells, as well as for all other types of tandem devices. The analysis demonstrated, in particular, that the top cell must achieve higher single-cell efficiency to compensate for reduced transparency.
EVA-induced degradation has significant impact on power losses in TOPCon solar modules
New research from UNSW shows EVA-encapsulated TOPCon solar modules under damp-heat testing can suffer significant power losses and fill factor drops. The study describes metallisation degradation mechanisms driven by EVA-generated contaminants and demonstrates the effectiveness of metallisation adjustments in reducing EVA-induced degradation rates
Longi achieves 34.85% efficiency for two-terminal tandem perovskite solar cell
The result was confirmed by the United States Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Fronius launches hybrid inverters for residential, commercial applications
The Austrian manufacturer said its new hybrid inverters can increase the usable output of the PV system to up to 150%. They are available in six version with rated AC power ranging from 15 kW to 33.3 kW.
Global solar module shipments hit 703 GW in 2024
The new edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic, published this week, reports that average PV module prices last year dropped by 33% compared to the end of 2023.
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.
BYD launches its first integrated home storage system
The Chinese manufacturer said its Battery-Box HVE is now being sold with either a single-phase hybrid inverter or a three-phase device. The system is available in two versions with capacities of 4.29 kWh and 6.45 kWh.
Research shows degradation mechanisms in rear side of TOPCon solar cells
Researchers from UNSW and Longi have found that the silicon nitride layers used in TOPCon cell rear-side are particularly prone to chemical degradation from sodium contaminants. This can lead to significant open-circuit voltage losses and reduce cell efficiency.
BloombergNEF expects up to 700 GW of new solar in 2025
BloombergNEF says global solar installations could reach 700 GW in 2025, with additions rising to 753 GW in 2026 and 780 GW in 2027.
