Author: solarenergy
UNSW researchers have developed an intrinsically modified single-diode model that explicitly takes into account radiative and Auger recombination, improving the accuracy of the IV curve and reducing the root mean square error by up to a factor of three. It is claimed that the model can better predict performance near no-load voltage and maximum power point. February 20, 2026 Emiliano Bellini The single-diode model (SDM) is an electrical equivalent circuit used to represent the behavior of solar cells and is widely used to simulate and predict the current-voltage (IV) characteristics of solar panels under different conditions. It consists of a…
BloombergNEF’s global report shows that corporate purchasing of clean energy will decline for the first time in nine years in 2025 due to negative prices and policy uncertainty. Big Tech leads purchasing as the number of cPPA buyers in the United States has been halved. Solar energy remains the primary generation technology for cPPAs. February 20, 2026 Matthew Lynas AI-driven electricity demand made 2025 the second-highest year ever for corporate clean energy purchase agreements (cPPA), according to a new report from BloombergNEF. The analyst recorded 712 external cPPAs with a total capacity of 55.9 GW, a decrease of 10% from…
US researchers are testing regenerative agrivoltaic systems on a farm in Southern California, combining solar panels with soil-healing practices such as composting, cover crops and no-till farming to improve crop yields, soil health and water use efficiency. The pilot will evaluate the technical, environmental and economic feasibility and explore how this land sharing approach can optimize food and energy production, reduce irrigation needs and inform large-scale implementation and policy frameworks. February 20, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers at Pitzer College in the United States have proposed combining regenerative agriculture with agrivoltaic energy in an effort to maximize the benefits of both…
The US-based heating solutions provider said its Hylex inverter-driven heat pump offers 2 to 5 ton capacity, high efficiency, Wi-Fi control and reliable performance in cold climates down to -25 C. February 20, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Samsung HVAC North America LLC, a joint venture between South Korean technology giant Samsung and US-based heating specialist Lennox, this week launched a new inverter heat pump system for residential applications. “Designed with an inverter-driven compressor and engineered for installation flexibility, Hylex helps homeowners and contractors in the Northeast achieve efficiency, comfort and sustainability goals – without sacrificing performance during the colder months,” the…
Under the terms of the agreement, Germany’s NexWafe will supply its ultra-thin solar wafers to Talon PV’s planned 4.8 GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing plant in Texas. Initial qualification work will take place on a pilot production line at Fraunhofer ISE’s Photovoltaic Technology Evaluation Center. February 20, 2026 Patrick Jowett Talon PV CEO Adam Tesanovich and NexWafe VP Business Development USA Jonathan Pickering Image: NextWafe German solar wafer manufacturer NexWafe has signed a strategic partnership with Texas-based n-type solar cell manufacturer Talon PV. Under the terms of the agreement, NexWafe will supply its EpiNex silicon wafers to support Talon’s TOPCon…
The Supreme Court of the United States has struck President Donald Trump’s 2025 tariff policy, which his administration justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 national security law that allows the president to “regulate” imports in an emergency. In one 6-3 decisionAccording to the Supreme Court, IEEPA does not give the president permission to impose tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. “The Administration is reading IEEPA to give the President the power to unilaterally impose unlimited tariffs and change them at will,” Roberts…
Germany-based solar tracker developer Sunoyster Systems has developed a lightweight 440W solar panel with a tempered glass cover for low-load commercial and industrial roofs. February 20, 2026 Valerie Thompson Image: Holger Laschka, SKF Germany-based solar tracker developer Sunoyster Systems has developed a lightweight tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar panel with a 2mm tempered glass cover for low-load roofs and facades in the commercial and industrial segments. The Sunoyster G440 is a 440 W solar panel, weighs 12 kg and has an efficiency of 22.2%. It is based on 108 TOPCon monocrystalline half-cut solar cells and measures 1,756 mm x…
Panasonic has launched a new fuel cell system for detached houses, designed to boost solar self-consumption through HEMS-based smart planning. The unit generates electricity and heat from gas, supports demand response and can provide emergency power during disruptions. February 20, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Japanese industrial group Panasonic has unveiled a new fuel cell cogeneration system under the long-standing Ene-farm brand, aimed at detached homes and designed to increase on-site solar self-consumption. The system integrates with a home energy management system (HEMS) that can predict excess electricity from solar or the grid. Based on these predictions, the HEMS schedules fuel cell…
UK solar panel distributor Bimble Solar has signed a module distribution agreement with TCL SunPower Global to distribute up to 10MW of the latter’s solar panels in the UK.The agreement covers TCL’s T-Class and S-Class tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules, which have an energy efficiency of 23.1% and 22.7% respectively, and the n-type back contact (BC) E-Class modules, which have an efficiency of 23.5%. All three module series are designed for use in the distributed sector – T-Class for commercial applications, S-Class and E-Class for the residential sector – and TCL managing director Steven Zhang said the partnership would…
The German SolarEnvelopeCenter project has launched a web-based planning guide for building-integrated solar photovoltaics (BIPV), providing standardized design solutions for roofs and facades that comply with building regulations and industry standards. February 20, 2026 Jochen Siemer By pv magazine Germany The German SolarEnvelopeCenter consortium has a online planning guide to support the integration of BIPV in roofs and facades. The project brings together research institutes, architects, facade planners and solar energy companies. Participants include the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE), the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Drees & Sommer SE, Wulf Architekten, IBC Solar…