Author: solarenergy

An international research team has improved the performance of triple-junction solar cells by improving the growth of perovskite crystals, increasing light absorption in the center cells and adding reflective nanoparticles. March 19, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from the The Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM) and the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) claim to have achieved energy conversion efficiency of more than 30% for three-junction solar cells that combine two thin-film perovskite cells and one silicon cell on one device. The scientists said the new result represents a world record for this cell technology, beating the previous record…

The European Union’s NIS2 directive forces PV operators to strengthen both cyber and physical security, with solar assets considered critical infrastructure. It also highlights the need for stronger physical protection measures such as site surveillance, access control and perimeter security to prevent tampering and burglary. March 18, 2026 Sergio Matalucci The European Union’s NIS2 Directive, in force since January 2023, has significantly increased security requirements for operators of critical infrastructure, including energy systems such as photovoltaic installations. Under these provisions, PV plant operators are required to implement robust cybersecurity risk management in both IT and operational technology (OT) systems, including…

A 620 MW solar project to be built in South Africa’s Free State has reached financial close. The milestone follows the signing of a more than 20-year multi-offtaker wheeling agreement with commercial and industrial customers. March 18, 2026 Patrick Jowett South African independent power producer Anthem has announced financial closure of its Notsi Solar PV project in the South African Free State. With a planned capacity of 620 MW (475 MWac), it is billed as the largest solar project in the country to date. The Notsi project will cover more than 1,000 hectares and have more than 860,000 solar panels.…

India has added 119 GW of solar panel capacity and over 9 GW of cell capacity by 2025, bringing the total capacity to approximately 210 GW and 27 GW respectively, according to Mercom India. Growth was driven by strong project demand and policy support, although a supply-demand match is expected later in 2026 as domestic cell production increases. March 18, 2026 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India According to a new report from India, India will add 119 GW of solar panel production capacity and over 9 GW of cell capacity by 2025. Mercom India. The report attributes the capacity…

Lithuania-based Refra has launched its Oasis range of water-to-water heat pumps and chillers, with capacities from 34 kW to 600 kW for small to large commercial and industrial applications. With propane refrigerant, inverter-driven compressors and a modular multi-circuit design, the units can achieve a coefficient of performance of up to 5.1. March 18, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Lithuania-based refrigeration and HVACR equipment manufacturer Refra has launched a water-to-water heat pump for medium-capacity commercial and industrial applications that require improved reliability and operational flexibility. “With heating capacities from 112 kW to 303 kW and cooling capacities from 90 kW to 238 kW,…

Researchers from TU Delft propose to use 2D carbon selenide as an anode for a sodium-ion battery, offering a theoretical capacity of 589 mAh/g with minimal volume expansion. Computer studies confirmed the material’s structural and thermal stability, as well as its tunable electrochemical properties, making it a promising candidate for large-scale renewable energy-linked energy storage. March 18, 2026 Emiliano Bellini By ESS news A group of researchers from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands have proposed using this 2D carbon selenide (β-CSe) as an anode material in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) in an effort to improve device performance…

NEDO, Japan’s State Energy Research Agency, has published new design and construction guidelines for PV systems using flexible solar cells, including perovskite, chalcopyrite and thin crystalline silicon technologies, as suitable locations for conventional solar installations in the archipelago become increasingly scarce. The new guidelines cover the design of structural loads, frameless mounting methods and flammability considerations for building-mounted systems. NEDO said in a press release this week that they were developed by a working group that builds on existing standards in architecture and electrical engineering. It noted that it compiled these with input from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial…

French renewable energy developer TE H2 has submitted a government application for approval to build a 2.7 GW solar farm and 6 GWh battery energy storage in Australia’s Northern Territory. March 18, 2026 David Caroll By pv magazine Australia TE H2, a joint venture between French oil giant TotalEnergies and Paris-based renewables producer Eren Groupe, has submitted plans for one of Australia’s largest solar and battery energy storage projects for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The federal government runs EPBC assessment process aims to protect nationally endangered species and ecological communities. The AUD2.8 billion ($1.9…

Researchers analyzed 16 years of data from more than 1 million PV systems in Germany and found that annual degradation is only 0.52-0.61%, about half of previous estimates. Environmental factors such as heat, frost and air pollution affect performance, while smaller systems degrade less than larger ones, increasing reliability and profitability in the long term. March 18, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) analyzed 16 years of data from more than 1 million solar installations totaling 34 GW in Germany and found that the vast majority of arrays perform better than lifetime expectations. “Solar energy grows…

Asset manager Capital Dynamics has acquired a planned 63 MW solar PV project from German renewable energy developer Baywa re. The Fleet solar project, in north Hampshire, is expected to start construction in 2027, the company said, and will be supported by a government-backed Contract for Difference (CfD) offtake agreement. It will likely begin commercial operations in 2028. “The UK remains one of our core markets for investment, supported by strong fundamentals. We continue to see continued momentum for the wider energy transition at a time when more investment is needed to achieve the UK’s twin energy security and climate…