Solar tracker repowering emerges as key to sustaining older arrays
Aging utility-scale solar projects are driving interest in tracker repowering, while asset owners weigh costs against gains in performance and longevity.
Thirty-five countries now operate GW-scale annual PV markets
The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Program highlights that 2024 was another record year for solar installations globally but large overcapacities of solar cell, module and wafer manufacturing continued.
Silver prices surge, yet ‘thrifting’ poses little threat to solar cell, module quality
With silver prices nearing $75 per ounce, researchers from the University of New South Wales and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems tell pv magazine that efforts to reduce silver use in solar cells will not compromise module quality if properly engineered.
IEA lowers 2025-30 forecast for solar growth
The International Energy Agency has cut its 2025–30 renewables forecast by 5%, citing lower solar additions, though PV still represents nearly 80% of 4.6 TW expected growth.
Operational faults cut returns in 19% of battery storage projects
A recent report from battery intelligence firm Accure reveals that while most battery energy storage systems operate reliably, nearly 19% of projects experience reduced returns due to technical issues and unplanned downtime.
Solar module prices to rise 9% in Q4, says Wood Mackenzie
Wood Mackenzie says module prices will climb as China ends export rebates and consolidates polysilicon production.
Building-integrated concentrating photovoltaics for vertical applications
An Indian-British research team has developed a building-integrated linear concentrating PV facade by sandwiching an asymmetric compound parabolic concentrator, PERC cells, and encapsulation layers between two sheets of glass.
IEA-PVPS warns soiling costs solar industry billions per year
The International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme says dust, pollution, and debris on solar panels reduce output by 4% to 7% worldwide, costing the industry billions of dollars annually and making tailored mitigation increasingly urgent.
Impact of sunlight spectral shifts on bifacial perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells
Experts from the International Solar Energy Society explain how regional spectral shifts of the standard spectral distribution of sunlight bring new insights into the performance of bifacial perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells.
Sky is the limit for EL drone testing
Infrared drone inspections are now routine for solar projects, but post-installation electroluminescence testing remains misunderstood and underutilised. With good planning and execution, EL’s ability to detect microcracks, early-stage degradation, and installation-induced damage can lead to meaningful results.
