Author: solarenergy
New research shows that the degradation of ultraviolet radiation in TOPCon solar cells is determined by physical mechanisms at the interface level, including hydrogen dynamics, defect formation and charge evolution. These processes are strongly influenced by the design of the silicon nitride/alumina passivation stack, which determines the long-term stability of the device. May 8, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Yangzhou University in China have investigated ultraviolet-induced degradation (UVID) pathways in both passivated emitter and back cell (PERC) and tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cells and concluded that this phenomenon is mainly determined by the design of the front passivation…
An international research team has improved the performance of indoor perovskite photovoltaics by tuning the absorber bandgap to better match the emission spectrum of indoor LED lighting. The approach enables improved spectral alignment under low-light conditions, with devices showing efficiency of up to 37.44%, in addition to long-term stability of more than 2,000 hours. May 8, 2026 Lior Kahana An international research team claims to have improved the performance of perovskite indoor solar photovoltaics (PIPV) by tailoring the band gap of the perovskite material to the typical operational conditions of indoor LED lighting. Tuning the perovskite bandgap is critical in…
By Brad Kramer May 7, 2026 Last year was a tumultuous year for the solar industry, as Congress voted to claw back tax credits. With the 25D residential solar tax credit set to expire in December and the ITC expiring this summer, installers are looking at a new landscape in 2026 and beyond. On Power Forward! Brad Kramer, editor of Solar Builder, discusses resetting the solar market in 2026 with David Dunlap, VP of product strategy at BayWa re 00:55 Where the solar energy market stands today 03:09 Biggest changes impacting the market in 2026 06:14 Understanding your options in…
Summit Ridge Energy has completed a 1.62 MW community solar project in Melrose Park, Illinois. The roof system was developed in collaboration with LBA Logistics, a full-service real estate investment and management company, and Black Bear Energy, a commercial buyer’s representative specializing in on-site renewable energy. The Melrose Park installation, hosted in an industrial building owned by LBA, was made possible by the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program and participates in the Traditional Community Solar (TCS) program. The rooftop solar project is part of both an Illinois Environmental Justice Community (EJC) and a federally designated Energy Community. Illinois designates EJCs…
Scientists at the University of New England’s Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence are using artificial intelligence and powerful supercomputers to assess potential solvents to separate silicon wafers with minimal contamination. May 7, 2026 Ev Foley By pv magazine Australia Researchers from the University of New England and the Australian Institute for Strategic Artificial Intelligence are using artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputers to develop methods for recycling silicon wafers with minimal pollution. Silicon, currently the most valuable component in a solar panel, cannot be recycled to its original purity due to the substrates used to prevent degradation over the life…
Continued negative and zero wholesale electricity prices, weak demand and inadequate Greek energy storage policies leave small and medium PV investors vulnerable, despite abundant solar energy resources. May 7, 2026 Ilias Tsagas Wholesale electricity prices in Greece between 8am and 6pm, when solar radiation is highest and photovoltaic systems generate the most output, have collapsed, often reaching zero or negative levels. At the same time, significant amounts of renewable generation are curtailed during these hours. Preliminary data from Greece’s energy regulator shows that 876.5 GWh of renewable energy was curtailed between January and April this year, compared to 588.5 GWh…
Hawaii’s legislature is reviewing a tax credit bill that could hurt the state’s renewable energy tax credit program and, in turn, the solar energy market. Credit: RevoluSun In January, Senator Ronald Kouchi (D) introduced. SB 3125a bill designed to reduce the economic weight of taxes on low- and middle-income residents in Hawaii. The state is reportedly addressing a $3 billion budget shortfall resulting from the Trump administration’s federal cuts. “Affordability for local families remains a top priority for the Senate,” said Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, in a story published by Spectrum News.…
At the end of April, a 200 km urban road test was carried out in Belgium under real traffic conditions and different levels of solar radiation to evaluate system performance in complex operational environments. The test serves as final validation of the vehicle’s systems. May 7, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina Innoptus Solar Team has completed a 200 km test drive in Belgium with its solar vehicle Infinite Apollo. The vehicle is equipped with back-contact (BC) technology and vehicle-integrated solar photovoltaics (VIPV), developed by Chinese PV manufacturer Longi. The test serves as technical validation prior to the team’s participation in the…
May 7, 2026 | This content is sponsored. Sponsored content is authorized by the customer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Solar builder magazine of Benjamin Media, Inc. Check out our privacy policy. Advanced technologies and design innovations are creating new opportunities for solar energy, even under the toughest conditions. In the past, the combination of ridges, rocky ground, persistent frost, undulating topography, steep hills, frigid temperatures and high winds could completely rule out a location. The level of difficulty of construction was too high and the risks too great. Image provided by Nexamp While all of these…
In the final article of a new series on solar energy production facilities around the world, pv magazine presents SoliTek’s solar energy production facility in Vilnius, Lithuania. The company recently commissioned an upgraded 200 MW production line as it transitions from semi-automated to fully automated processes for critical assembly stages. May 7, 2026 Patrick Jowett Lithuania-based solar company SoliTek was founded in 2009. It launched the SoliTek brand in 2014, after which it started producing its first glass-glass solar panels. Today, the company produces solar panels at its Vilnius factory using 100% renewable energy and offers customers European-made solar energy…