Technology and R&D

South Korean scientists have developed a breakthrough lithium-ion battery technology by modifying the LNMO cathodes that enhances stability and efficiency, boosts battery lifespan, and energy density of Li-ion batteries.

Researchers in China have investigated the dust-scaling process and various water-based cleaning methods to optimise maintenance strategies for enhanced safety and efficiency in solar systems.

Victorian startup Kite Magnetics plans to accelerate the development and production of its lightweight electric motor technology with a new advanced manufacturing facility to be established in Melbourne.

Leapting will soon deploy a solar module-mounting robot at an Australian project, saying the automatic installation speed of the AI-driven machine can reach one panel per minute, delivering an estimated 30% reduction in installation costs on utility scale solar projects.

Manager of Western Australia’s South West Interconnected System Western Power has been allocated $20.8 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency for its Project Jupiter, which for the first time in Australia will integrate a live distributed energy resources marketplace with wholesale markets.

Scientists have compared conventional PV modules to self-made BIPV panels with thicker, patterned glass. They tested them both under standard conditions and outdoors under Korean summer conditions. Yield was found to be only 0.5% lower in the textured BIPV module.

A co-inventor of the passivated emitter and rear cell silicon solar cell technology, Professor Andrew Blakers, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia on the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.

The researchers built the cell with a hole transport layer (HTL) based on PEDOT:PSS and were reportedly able to reduce the losses caused by this compound with the utilisation of a thiocyanate additive. The champion lab-sized device achieved an open circuit voltage of 0.875 V, a short circuit current density of 31.84 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 83.23%.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have broken the energy efficiency world record for a kesterite solar cell, a technology that is being explored as a potential long-term improvement for silicon-based PV technology.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have used a 1 µm copper plating layer on the front silver grid of a TOPCon solar cell to create a protective barrier that reportedly reduces corrosion susceptibility. The cell showed significantly lower contaminant-induced degradation that unprotected reference devices.