Author: solarenergy

The scientists found that UV exposure in PERC and TOPCon solar cells increases interface defects and makes them more recombination active, boosting ultraviolet-induced degradation. They found strong degradation on PERC front and back surfaces and TOPCon front surfaces, while the TOPCon back remains stable due to poly-Si UV absorption. May 21, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the University of South New Wales (USNW) in Australia have investigated the physical origins of ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) in PERC and TOPCon solar cell technologies and have found that UV exposure not only causes additional interface defects, but also changes their electronic activity, making…

Since early March, European solar photovoltaics have generated enough electricity to avoid an estimated €10 billion in gas imports, saving an average of €110 million per day, according to SolarPower Europe. May 21, 2026 Ralph Diermann According to calculations by the European PV association SolarPower Europe, since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East in early March, European photovoltaic systems have supplied enough electricity to theoretically avoid additional gas imports worth 10 billion euros. In March, estimated savings averaged around €110 million per day. Gas prices have increased noticeably due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz…

The new modules have a bifaciality of 85%, an efficiency of up to 24.8%, an annual degradation of 0.35% and a 30-year performance guarantee. May 21, 2026 Emiliano Bellini TCL SunPowera division of Chinese PV manufacturer TCL Zhonghuan, has launched a new range of solar panel panels based on TOPCon cell technology. The new TCL Solar T5 Pro product line combines TOPCon multi-cut cell technology with a shingle design, which the company says eliminates inactive holes in the cell surface, allowing for greater light capture. An optimized circuit design ensures stable performance under partial shade conditions. “The module is designed…

Stray voltage is an unwanted electrical potential difference in the environment, often found around equipment or grounding systems in dairy farms. This phenomenon is dangerous for animals because even very small unintended electrical currents can pass through the ground, metal equipment, or water sources in a stable and be picked up by an animal’s body. Livestock such as dairy cows are especially sensitive because they frequently stand on damp concrete floors and have large contact areas with milking machines, water bowls, or metal stalls, which can complete an electrical path. Cows are more sensitive that other animals due to their body mass.…

Scientists in Sweden have experimentally evaluated a prototype Carnot battery (SECB) based on a Stirling engine, using low-cost sand as thermal energy storage, with the aim of validating electricity-to-heat-to-electricity storage concepts. Tests showed that higher engine temperatures improved power and duration, but return efficiency remained low, mainly due to thermal losses and limited heat transfer in the sand bed. May 21, 2026 Lior Kahana Researchers from Finland’s Aalto University have conducted experimental and numerical evaluations of a prototype Carnot battery (SECB) based on a Stirling engine, which uses sand as a thermal energy storage (TES) material. SECB is a system…

Developing robust hedging strategies and controlling energy consumption are some of the most effective ways for a customer to reduce the cost of their energy, amid Britain’s high energy prices.This was a view expressed by speakers during the first panel discussion of the Summit on Procurement and Revenue from Renewable Energy Sourcesheld this week in London by Solar energy portal publisher Solar Media. Claire Thornhill, director of economic consultancy Frontier Economics, set the tone for the conversation, pointing out that Britain is currently struggling with “really high” energy prices, especially for industry.“The latest figures from the Department for Energy Security…

UK renewable energy developer Island Green Power has secured planning permission for a 125MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project in East Devon. The Broadclyst Energy Storage Project will be located on approximately 25 hectares of agricultural land approximately 1 mile east of the village of Broadclyst in Devon. The plan includes battery containers and associated infrastructure, designed to support electricity grid stability and energy security in the South West of England. The developer said the project will help balance electricity supply and demand as Britain increases its deployment of renewable energy and phases out intermittent generation capacity. Jamie Gleeson,…

Across Europe, the first and second generations of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems are now reaching ages where maintenance, refurbishment and component replacement are becoming unavoidable operational questions. At the same time, European policy discussions around circularity and resource efficiency are spotlighting long-term system serviceability. Within several ongoing European research projects, including SPHINX and EVERPV, investigations are underway to better understand the technical, economic and regulatory barriers that currently limit repair and recycling pathways for building-integrated photovoltaics. In Europe, BIPV using building-integrated PV products such as tiles, shingles, and ventilated facades has been a small but steadily growing segment of the…

Political uncertainty in Britain is “the biggest challenge” in delivering the energy transition, as a lack of long-term political coherence could deter the necessary long-term investment to achieve energy security in Britain.This was the view of David Maguire, founder and CEO of BNRG, who spoke on a panel at Solar Media’s Renewables Procurement & Revenue Summit this afternoon. He said that “we are quite long-term thinkers” at BNRG, which operates in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and North America, and as a result has been held back from investing in the UK network in the long term. there…

Research from Indiana University shows that concerns about the impact of solar development on U.S. agricultural production are largely overstated, with corn, soybean and wheat prices expected to rise less than 5.6% if the buildout of large-scale solar on cropland is consistent with historical patterns. May 21, 2026 Patrick Jowett Expanding utility-scale solar energy in the United States is unlikely to jeopardize food security, according to new research. Researchers Jerome Dumortier and Rafael M. Almeida, from Indiana University, used a county-level agricultural model to investigate how replacing cropland with utility-scale solar farms could affect land allocation, crop prices, agricultural production,…