Solar Technology & PV R&D News

EnFoil, a European startup, is revolutionizing the solar industry with their innovative 2mm thick CIGS-based flexible solar panels. With an efficiency of 17% and 150 Wp/m², talks to integrate their panels onto truck roofs have begun. The European Research Council has supported this project and UHasselt is recruiting a researcher - a recognition of the product's potential.

Discover how scientists are using a new process called acoustic spalling to reduce the cost of manufacturing III-V solar cells. This technique promises to create a cleaner, reusable surface, while maintaining cell efficiency. Research reveals that this technology could be commercially viable.

Harvest clean, renewable energy from raindrops with new bridge array generator - researchers propose a 5x increase in power output compared to conventional TENGs.

Research team at Fraunhofer ISE has developed a layer to boost the efficiency of organic solar cells. This could be a major step towards making renewable energy more accessible and cost effective.

Discover how researchers from the University of Sydney achieved 100% efficiency in perovskite solar cells after being damaged by proton radiation in low Earth orbit. Learn about their innovative combination of hole transport material and dopant, plus the discovery of fluorine diffusion being the cause of cell degradation.

Discover how innovative bifacial perovskite solar cells could revolutionize the renewable energy landscape, delivering higher efficiency at reduced costs with potential for 10-20% more power generation than monofacial modules. Research funded by the US DOE.

Researchers propose strategy to reduce defects and improve performance of inverted perovskite solar cells. The team achieved an efficiency of 25.1% and maintained 97.4% and 98.2% of their initial power conversion after 1,800 and 1,000 hours. Adaptable for improved efficiency and stability of other perovskite materials.

ESA's SOLARIS project investigates the feasibility of space-based solar power to provide clean energy on Earth. Swiss Astrostrom designed the Greater Earth-Lunar Power Station with 23 megawatts of energy for lunar surface operations. Discover the project's findings and implications for terrestrial power alternatives with ESA's Discovery programme.

New method developed by EPFL, University of Toronto and University of Kentucky enables perovskite solar cells to be more durable and efficient under high temperatures and humidity. Quasi-steady-state power-conversion efficiency of 24.09% achieved. Could bring us closer to large-scale deployment of this photovoltaic tech.

Experience the world's top tandem solar cells with record efficiency values of up to 33.7%. Expert teams from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and other research institutes are now making these technologies available in principle and potentially low cost.

Researchers in Thailand have developed a triple-cation perovskite solar cell for low-light applications with improved efficiency of up to 32%. VTA leads to dense, hard morphology and suppressed trap states, and could be adapted for various optoelectronic applications. Learn more in this article.

Discover the breakthrough findings of two new studies about highly efficient tandem solar cells using perovskite-silicon: a phosphonic acid additive to improve crystallization and an ionic liquid to enhance charge extraction, reaching up to 31.2% and 32.5% power conversion efficiencies.

Shenzhen S.C. is investing up to 961 million RMB (USD$134 million) in the manufacture of equipment for perovskite and perovskite tandem solar cells. This strategic investment is set to take advantage of the potential of the technology and enhance the company's position in the PV market. The project will focus on setting up production facilities in Jiangsu province, China, with an annual capacity of 160 PVD, 119 RPC, and 60 VEC equipment.

KAUST University in Saudi Arabia breaks new world record in efficiency of perovskite tandem solar cells with the help of MBRAUN systems, reaching 33.7% certified power conversion efficiency. This ultra-high performance photovoltaic technology is essential for fast green energy transition.

IIT Bombay team demonstrates a higher efficiency and greater stability in their solar cell tandem device, potentially leading to low lifetime costs for solar cells.