Concentrated solar plant turns to plastic mirrors to power clean heat
South Australia researchers will team with industry partners to build a concentrated solar thermal plant in New South Wales featuring lightweight plastic mirrors that incorporate an aluminium-silica reflective coating to produce industrial heat or electricity.
Researchers warn of ‘hidden contaminants’ that could increase TOPCon, HJT solar module humidity-induced degradation
Australian researchers have identified five contaminants that could increase damp heat-induced degradation in TOPCon and heterojunction cells and modules. Their analysis has shown these contaminants could originate from improper handling during cell or module processing.
Silver-lean screen-printing can reduce silver use in TOPCon solar cells by 40%
Researchers from the University of New South Wales have teamed with international colleagues to develop a metallisation technique for TOPCon solar cells that can reportedly reduce silver usage in the devices’ rear side by 85%.
Jolywood’s laser-assisted firing process increases TOPCon solar cell efficiency by 0.6%, says UNSW research
New research from the University of New South Wales have found that the Special Injected Metallisation (JSIM) technique developed by Chinese manufacturer Jolywood can considerably increase TOPCon solar cell efficiency. The scientists described precisely how laser-assisted firing enhances cell performance, reportedly filling critical gaps in industrial TOPCon cell optimisation.
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.
Sydney researchers develop new approaches to PV circular economy
Researchers at two Sydney universities have developed 24 new ways of evaluating the circular economy of PV modules to identify the merits of various strategies based on current and future energy, materials and silver use.
Siemens Energy applauds progress but calls for realistic transition solutions
Siemens Energy Australia’s Samuel Morillon says the country’s energy transition is progressing very well, but believes in realistic solutions to ensure reliability in the grid, and that future energy sources like renewable hydrogen will take time to mature.
Testing reveals height benefits of floating PV
Scientists have tested the performance of floating PV panels at a height of 800 mm and 250 mm above their floating structures. Their thermal and electrical performance was compared to that of a reference land-based system and the highest panel was found to show the greatest cooling effect.
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).
