Author: solarenergy

The Japanese electronics manufacturer is testing its glass-based perovskite solar PV technology in office windows made by YKK AP, a construction and building materials company. December 3, 2025 Valerie Thompson Japanese electronics manufacturer Panasonic Holdings and YKK AP, a construction and building materials company, are testing the installation of windows made with glass-based perovskite photovoltaic (PV) solar panels from Panasonic. The focus of the test is to “examine installation methods for interior windows and confirm workability,” a spokesperson said pv magazine. The study uses Panasonic glass-type perovskite solar PV in four YKK internal windows with weatherproof wooden sash frames measuring…

Renewable energy research firm Pexapark says Europe’s independent power producers (IPPs) are evolving into customer-centric platforms with a focus on adding battery energy storage systems (BESS) to their portfolios and more structuring and pricing capabilities to prepare for the next wave of deals. December 3, 2025 Patrick Jowett Swiss renewable energy research firm Pexapark has released a white paper documenting the changing role of independent power producers (IPPs). Titled “The next generation IPP playbook”, the publication features insights from interviews with senior leaders and executives at eight of Europe’s leading IPPs: Eurowind Energy, Mirova, Nadara, Nuveen Infrastructure, OX2, Sonnedix, Taaleri…

A University of Cambridge-led team of researchers has demonstrated precisely controlled layer-by-layer epitaxial vapor growth of two-dimensional halide perovskite films in an industrially compatible process. Their findings could help in the development of more thermally stable perovskite solar cells. December 2, 2025 Valerie Thompson A team led by researchers from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom has demonstrated layer-by-layer (LbL) vapor-phase based growth of halide perovskites, specifically cesium, lead and bromine (CsPbBr3), grown on a two-dimensional (2D) perovskite single crystal. The 2D substrate was PEA2PbBr4, where PEA is an acronym for 2-phenylethylammonium. “The resulting CsPbBr 3-PEA 2 PbBr…

US-based solar panel manufacturer Endurans Solar has achieved IEC 62788-2-1:2023 certification for its new D15T transparent back plate product, as part of the full validation of the D15 series safety standard by the accredited independent testing laboratory TÜV Rheinland. Designed specifically for large-scale bifacial solar applications, the D15T backplate provides a powerful, lightweight alternative to standard rear glass, which directly translates to significant cost savings and project efficiency. The D15T backplate can provide panel manufacturers with cost savings through weight savings. Replacing the 2mm thick glass on the back with the transparent polymer solution reduces the overall weight of the…

An international research team consisting of scientists from Chinese module manufacturer Longi has examined the resistance distribution of antimony and phosphorus doped wafers used in solar cell production and found that they provide comparable mechanical strength. However, their work also showed that antimony-doped wafers have a more uniform resistivity, with a slight increase near the tip. December 2, 2025 Emiliano Bellini An international research team led by the Australian National University and Chinese module manufacturer Longi has investigated antimony (Sb)-doped Czochralski grown silicon rods as an alternative to phosphorus (P)-doped blocks in PV wafer production and found that they exhibit…

Australian researchers have developed a high-resolution energy modeling framework to assess how PV and batteries can provide 24/7 electricity to heavy industries, taking into account costs, grid interaction and load flexibility. They found that while reductions in technology costs help, smart grid integration and flexible industrial operations are much more effective at reducing electricity costs and enabling 100% sustainable energy use. December 2, 2025 Lior Kahana Researchers from the Australian National University have explored the techno-economics of PV and battery integration in heavy industry through energy simulations and a new high-resolution energy modeling framework that includes life cycle degradation and…

By Brad Kramer December 1, 2025 Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday (for those of you in the United States). This edition of Projects weekly highlights RWE’s recently commissioned 200 MW PV + 200 MWh storage Stoneridge Solar project in Texas. In addition, Wisconsin utilities received approval to add solar + storage and other renewable energy sources to the state’s energy supply. In addition, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Colville Tribes) in northeastern Washington and Open Access Technology International Inc. (OATI) together to deploy microgrids throughout the reserve. Finally, a school district in Minnesota is switching to solar…

By 2025, more than $14 billion in clean energy investments have already been canceled or postponed in the United States. May analysis by the E2 group and consultancy firm Atlas Public Policy. Key reasons include increasing policy uncertainty, permit barriers and development risks, especially around site control and project readiness. While much of the conversation focuses on tax credits and federal policy, the less discussed reality remains land strategy, which often aborts or accelerates projects long before the concrete is poured. Land used to be the easy part: getting a multi-year option for a few thousand dollars; close when ready…

Chinese manufacturer Sunman is to build a 500MW-per-year solar panel manufacturing facility in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley after receiving funding from both the state and federal governments. December 2, 2025 David Caroll By pv magazine Australia The Sunman Group, founded by solar energy pioneer and University of New South Wales (UNSW) alumnus Zhengrong Shi, has announced it will develop Australia’s largest solar module manufacturing plant in the Hunter Valley, after securing AUD171 million ($111.92 million) in federal and state government funding. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed up to AUD 151 million in conditional funding through the…

The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity stood at 29.7 GW at the end of September. December 2, 2025 François Puthod By pv magazine France France deployed 4,445 MW of solar energy in the first three quarters of this year, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. This compares to 3,735 in the same period of 2024 and 2,408 MW in the first nine months of 2023. In the third quarter alone, new installed capacity amounted to 1,533 MW, compared to 1,463 MW a year earlier. The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity stood at 29.7 GW at…