Author: solarenergy

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a semi-transparent, flexible perovskite solar cell that generates electricity while providing control over both light transmission and perceived color for use in windows, building facades and curved surfaces. The research was led by Prof. Lioz Etgar and Prof. Shlomo Magdassi from the Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the Hebrew University, with a team led by Dr. Vikas Sharma. Their group produced a device that works like an energy-generating film, as designers adjust transparency and color to suit architectural requirements. At the heart of the design…

Relatively new recycling equipment Comstock metals has announced that it has received approval from Nevada environmental departments to process solar panels at its materials recovery facility in Silver Springs, Nevada. Comstock also received approval for an air quality control permit this week. A slide of Comstock’s Business Overview document. Comstock has been operating a solar panel recycling demonstration plant in Nevada since January 2024. These permits will allow the company to scale up to an industrial material recovery facility that would process more than 3 million panels annually. The equipment was delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025 and Comstock…

Polysilicon prices in China rose sharply this week as reduced production, higher costs and strong downstream demand pushed trades above CNY60,000 ($8,590) per tonne (MT). However, module prices remained stable, supported by strong tenders and a tight supply of wafers. January 9, 2026 Vincent Shaw The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNMIA) has reported a sharp increase in polysilicon prices, driven by lower operating rates at manufacturing facilities and stronger sourcing from downstream manufacturers. Average prices for n-type recharge polysilicon rose to CNY 59,200/MT, up 9.83% week on week, while n-type granular silicon rose 10.5% to CNY 55,800/MT. The CNMIA…

Australia recorded a sharp increase in electric vehicle sales in 2025, with new car sales data showing almost 157,000 electric vehicles purchased across the country, a 38% increase on the previous year. January 9, 2026 David Caroll By pv magazine Australia New figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) show a record 156,753 electric vehicles will be purchased across Australia in 2025. Last year, electric vehicles accounted for 13.1% of all new car sales, up from 9.6% in 2024. During the 2025 calendar year, Australian motorists purchased 103,269 battery electric vehicles (BEVs),…

The U.S. solar industry is in a period of transition. Now that the residential investment tax credit has expired and the 48E tax credit for large-scale projects is coming to an end, installations are expected to decline across all markets. Research groups say the U.S. solar industry will never again reach the 50 GW annual installation peak seen in 2024. To predict how the United States will fare in an era without stimulus, one might look at the past decade in Britain. That country changed its solar incentive programs around 2016, and installation habits have fallen sharply – from a…

Generating hydrogen from sunlight offers a route to low-carbon fuel production by converting solar energy into chemical energy stored in hydrogen. Researchers use photocatalysts to absorb light and split water into hydrogen and oxygen, but many existing systems harvest only part of the visible spectrum, leaving much of the incoming solar energy unused. To increase the efficiency of solar energy to hydrogen, researchers are investigating photocatalysts that respond to a wider range of visible wavelengths. A team led by Professor Kazuhiko Maeda and graduate student Haruka Yamamoto of the Institute of Science Tokyo has developed a dye-sensitive photocatalyst that absorbs…

China will remove value-added export rebates for PV products from April 1, 2026, while battery rebates will be reduced in anticipation of a complete phase-out, raising export costs for manufacturers and potentially pushing shipments to early 2026. January 9, 2026 Vincent Shaw China will abolish export value-added (VAT) rebates for photovoltaic products from April 1, 2026, according to a joint notice released on January 9 by the Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China and the State Tax Administration. As a result of the policy adjustment, VAT export discounts for solar products will be completely abolished from April…

RWE has started commissioning a 100 MW electrolyzer in Germany to supply renewable hydrogen under long-term contracts, while Hydrogen Utopia International and Hydrogen Systems are advancing plans to build waste-to-hydrogen plants in Saudi Arabia. January 9, 2026 Sergio Matalucci RWE has started commissioning a 100 MW electrolyzer in Lingen, with full capacity up to 300 MW expected in 2027, the German company confirmed to pv magazine, explaining that it is one of the largest renewable hydrogen plants in Europe. The Essen-based multinational will supply hydrogen to industries including TotalEnergies’ Leuna refinery under a 15-year offtake contract. The gas will be…

By 2050, sodium-ion batteries with fast learning rates could offer a storage capacity of €11 to €14/MWh – cheaper than lithium-ion batteries priced at €16 to €22/MWh – while also offering a higher energy-to-power ratio and high cycle endurance, new research shows. January 9, 2026 Marija Maisch Image: Southern electricity grid By ESS news Any technology seeking to compete with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) faces the challenge of rapidly declining costs for this already ubiquitous technology. While LIBs continue to expand their market dominance, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are still waiting for their moment to shine. However, a new study led by…

Plug-in solar, also called balcony solar, is a popular option in Europe and is now being introduced in the United States. Utah introduced legislation last year and became the first state to enable 1.2 kW plug-in solar panel systems without utility approval. Now, plug-in solar is finding interest in the nation’s largest solar state. Earlier this week, Senate Bill 868 was introduced in the California Senate, written by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). The “Plug Into the Sun Act” would eliminate red tape and set statewide safety standards for portable solar energy systems – commonly seen on balconies across Europe.…