Author
Lior Kahana
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Articles written by Lior Kahana
IEA PVPS updates benchmark PV life cycle inventory with 83 factory assessments
IEA-PVPS has released an updated 2026 Life Cycle Inventory report, providing more representative data on PV manufacturing, energy use, emissions, recycling, and end-of-life processes. The update highlights major improvements in silicon recycling, wafer efficiency, and reduced environmental impacts across PV supply chains.
Jul 27, 2026
Dutch student team develops solar-powered ambulance
A student team at the Eindhoven University of Technology has developed what it says is the world’s first solar-powered ambulance, designed to deliver healthcare services to remote communities. The vehicle combines a 50 kWh battery with 542 solar cells, offering a claimed range of up to 715 km on paved roads while powering onboard medical equipment.
Ingeteam announces central inverter for utility-scale BESS
Ingeteam has launched the Ingecon Sun Storage M Series, a modular central inverter platform for utility-scale BESS applications, offering power ratings of up to 4.54 MVA and battery voltage support up to 1,500 Vdc without derating. The series includes standalone inverter units and skid-mounted medium-voltage solutions with integrated transformers and switchgear reaching 9.08 MVA.
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New PV module recycling tech achieves 97.75% silicon recovery for electrode production
Researchers developed a process to recover silicon and silicon dioxide (SiO₂) from end-of-life crystalline silicon solar cells for use in lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery electrodes across different substrates. The recovered material achieved around 97.75% silicon yield and showed substrate-dependent performance.
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New method detects low-energy fractures in PV modules
Researchers have developed a daylight electroluminescence imaging method that enables detection of low-energy glass cracks in PV modules using motion-enhanced SWIR drone imaging. The approach allows simultaneous identification of cell defects and glass cracks, improving inspection efficiency for large-scale PV plants.
Grid-forming BESS to enhance stability in utility-scale PV
Scientists have simulated a 100 MW solar PV plant and a 35 MW / 60 MWh BESS with grid-forming control. In all cases, the grid-forming control provided immediate active/reactive support. Research: we provide quantitative evidence that grid-forming control strategies can support the transition to inverter-dominated power systems.
PV module recycling tech based on heavy liquid separation, metal chloride etching
Researchers in China have developed a three-step recycling process for end-of-life crystalline silicon PV modules that recovers high-purity silicon, copper, silver compounds, and other valuable materials while enabling reagent reuse. Life cycle and techno-economic analyses showed the process can cut carbon emissions by 80.42% compared with conventional methods and generate positive returns from solar cell and solder-strip treatment stages.
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