Technology and R&D

The new Tesla Solar Panel and mounting system pairs with the company’s inverter, Powerwall battery, EV charging and vehicles, creating an all-Tesla residential solar offering for the first time.

Conceived for stationary energy storage, the proposed sodium-ion battery configuration relies on an P2-type cathode material and an hard carbon anode material that reportedly ensure full-cell performance. Electrochemical testing revealed initial capacities of 200 mAh/g for the cathode and 360 mAh/g for the anode with capacity retentions of 42% and 67.4% after 100 cycles.

The Ariya demonstration vehicle features 3.8 m² of Lightyear’s custom solar panels integrated across the hood, roof, and tailgate. Testing showed that the car could generate 0.5 kWh of solar energy during a 2‑hour, 80 kilometer trip, delivering up to 3 kilometres of range at no extra cost or charging time.

South Korean researchers from Chungnam National University have developed a one-step, photoresist-free graphene patterning technique that results in very low electrical resistance and avoids damage, showing scalability in the fabrication of transparent, flexible electronics like solar cells.

Engineers at the University of New South Wales have developed a real-time monitoring technique that reveals how silicon solar cells can self-repair following ultraviolet-induced damage, offering new insights into solar panel degradation and lifetime performance.

Australian manufacturer Siltrax will push forward with the commercialisation of its silicon-based hydrogen fuel cell technology after securing the tick of approval from international testing, inspection, and certification body TÜV Rheinland.

With silver prices rising, more large solar manufacturers are expected to switch to copper for cell metallization. Radovan Kopecek of ISC Konstanz tells pv magazine that he expects the entire industry to follow. Ning Song of the University of New South Wales says a small efficiency tradeoff may be acceptable if the cost savings are significant and do not introduce new reliability risks.

Chinese manufacturer Sungrow has introduced a new utility string inverter, a three-phase hybrid inverter for commercial and industrial applications, and a liquid-cooled energy storage system.

Next-generation solar innovator Halocell Energy is set to benefit from the development of a sovereign supply chain for high-purity precursors to perovskite after signing a memorandum of understanding with Queensland advanced materials company Lava Blue.

China-based PV equipment supplier Ideal Energy Sunflower Semiconductor has completed an AI-enabled pilot line for ultra-thin, flexible heterojunction solar cells, targeting lightweight power systems for space and near-space applications.