Author: solarenergy

Thick-film organic solar cells mapped for efficiency and production gains Because laboratory single-junction organic solar photovoltaics (OPVs) now achieve an energy conversion efficiency of 20 percent, their performance still depends on thin photoactive layers near 100 nm. A new review led by Hangzhou Normal University and Zhejiang University investigates how high efficiency can be maintained in much thicker films suitable for industry. The authors define thick-film OPVs as larger than 300 nm and describe benefits for scalable production, stronger near-infrared absorption, and improved mechanical robustness for flexible devices. They also identify the drawbacks: increased exciton recombination, unbalanced charge transport, and…

British analysts GlobalData predict that growth in the global solar panel and inverter market will be driven by the Asia-Pacific region until the end of the decade. October 29, 2025 Patrick Jowett The global solar panel and inverter markets are on track to reach a combined value of $115.8 billion by 2030, according to forecasts from the British data analytics and consultancy firm. Global data. The latest from the analysts report expects the global solar panel market to reach $80.7 billion by the end of this decade, while the solar inverter market is expected to reach $38.8 billion. GlobalData says…

Pahal Solar has started construction of a new manufacturing complex in Surat, Gujarat. The facility will house a 2 GW TOPCon solar cell unit and a 2 GW aluminum frame production line. The factory will integrate AI-based precision and analysis systems to improve efficiency, consistency and product quality. Currently, Pahal Solar operates 2.4 GW of solar panel production and 2 GW of ribbon and busbar production. The company plans to expand its total installed capacity to 4.4 GW within the current financial year. “This investment not only strengthens our manufacturing capabilities, but also demonstrates our long-term confidence in India’s renewable…

Overall, 76% of the British public are happy to see a solar power plant being built in their area, a figure that shows the technology continues to be accepted, despite a slight drop in support. The latest Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) research into attitudes towards renewable energy shows that 43% of people are happy or very happy about a solar project being built in their area, while a further 32% “wouldn’t mind either way”. About 14% of survey respondents said they would be somewhat or very dissatisfied with the construction of a local solar project, an…

A Chinese research team has developed a new sandwich buffer layer that improves carrier transport and efficiency in semi-transparent perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. Mini-modules incorporating this layer achieved efficiencies of over 26% while demonstrating both scalability and long-term stability. October 29, 2025 Patrick Jowett A research team led by the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a sandwich-like buffer layer to improve the performance and scalability of semi-transparent CsPbI3-based perovskite solar cells and four-terminal (4T) tandem solar cells. The MoOx/Ag/MoOx (MAM) buffer layer consists of a thin layer of silver (Ag) between molybdenum oxide (MoOx)…

Coral Reef Partners recently completed a 1.94 MW ground-mounted solar system within walking distance of the headquarters of D&H Distributing, an electronics and IT distributor. The project in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, includes racks from DCE Solar. “D&H has a long-standing commitment to investing in environmentally conscious and sustainable business practices,” said Michael Schwab, co-president of D&H. “We employ energy-efficient solutions and methods in our corporate offices and distribution centers, and actively purchase available green-certified technologies. Now, with the launch of the new solar park, we are strengthening our commitment to clean energy, sustainability and innovation.” “This solar farm is among the…

Solar tracker manufacturer Nevados says its articulated tracker systems and digital design software optimize energy production on slopes of up to 37%, reducing grading costs and environmental impact. October 29, 2025 Rahul Chandra By pv magazine USA The solar industry has historically thrived on nice, flat plots of land for project development. Viewed through a product development lens, the early “customer use case” – flat locations – shaped the product requirements for tracking technologies (favoring long, continuous torque tube designs for optimal economics) and the project design tools that supported them. But now the customer use case is changing –…

The Japanese electronics manufacturer said its new heat pump system is an ideal solution for central heating and hot water installations. It offers a heating power of 9 kW to 16 kW and a seasonal coefficient of performance of up to 4.31 at low temperatures. October 29, 2025 Emiliano Bellini The T-CAP All-in-One 185L DHW tank M heat pump Image: Panasonic Japan’s Panasonic has launched a new air-to-water heat pump for use in central heating and domestic hot water installations. The system consists of a complete propane (R290) heat pump and a domestic hot water (DHW) tank. It is available…

Japanese equipment manufacturer Yanmar says its new commercial rooftop units (RTUs) include a standard model, a dual-fuel heat pump and a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) with integrated energy efficiency ratios (IEER) up to 21.3. October 29, 2025 Lior Kahana Japanese heavy machinery company Yanmar has introduced a new line of commercial rooftop units (RTUs) manufactured in the United States. The range includes a standard RTU, a heat pump with dual-fuel capability and a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS). The standard RTU is available in 13 sizes, with an integrated energy efficiency ratio (IEER) ranging from 16.6 to 21.3. The…

Advances in semi-transparent solar cell technology drive future energy solutions for buildings Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University have succeeded in setting a new benchmark for semi-transparent organic photovoltaic (ST-OPV) technology, an innovation that enables the integration of solar cells into windows, screens and other surfaces for urban environments. ST-OPVs address the crucial challenge of balancing transparency with high energy conversion efficiency, combining attractive visual design with effective energy generation for smart building integration. A major achievement of the PolyU team was the development of the dimensionless parameter FoMLUE, which screens photoactive materials by combining visual transmittance, band gap and…