Author: solarenergy
Researchers in India have shown that ion beam implantation enables precise boron doping in silicon solar cells, reducing defects and improving charge transport. The proposed approach could support more efficient and reproducible p-n junctions, which could provide a path to higher performance silicon photovoltaics. April 1, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from Panjab University in India have demonstrated a new method for doping silicon solar cells using ion beam technology, achieving improved electronic properties and reducing losses due to defects. “Defects in TOPCon and PERC solar cells often arise from conventional manufacturing processes such as thermal diffusion, radio frequency (RF) sputtering…
Chilean Energy Minister Ximena Rincón last week at the RE+ Southern Cone Summit called for a more proactive approach to renewables, storage and electrification, emphasizing the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and invest in supporting infrastructure. April 1, 2026 Luis Ini Chilean Energy Minister Ximena Rincón. Image: pv magazine/Luis Ini By pv magazine LatAm Chilean Energy Minister Ximena Rincón called on the country to take a more proactive role in promoting renewable energy, storage, electromobility and efficiency at the RE+ Southern Cone Summit in Santiago. Speaking at the March 25-26 event at the Estación Mapocho Cultural Center, Rincón…
Research from Germany analyzed sentiment in online news reporting to investigate how heat pumps are portrayed in German public discourse. It showed that while public perception is generally positive, it is neither uniform nor stable, and dropped significantly during the debates on the German heating law in 2023. April 1, 2026 Patrick Jowett Pumping heat are generally portrayed positively Germany According to new research, the media landscape has experienced periods of negative reporting in recent years. The research paper “Tracking public perception of heat pumps: a sentiment analysis of German news articles”, available in the magazine Energy and Buildingsexplains that…
By Brad Kramer March 24, 2026 The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) on March 19 denied an application for a $98 million solar project in Morrow County, Ohio. However, the board’s view of the project may have been influenced by a flood of fabricated public comments. The 94MW Crossroads sunbathing center was a proposed dual-use project by the developer Open road renewable energy sources cattle would also graze on the site. The company proposed to build the facility within a 726-acre project area in Cardington, Lincoln and Westfield townships. The OPSB determined that, based on the opposition to the project…
Rising energy costs are one of the biggest operational challenges businesses face today. Every month, utilities send bills that seem to climb higher, cutting into profit margins and making long-term financial planning harder. For North Carolina business owners, there’s a solution that transforms energy from an unpredictable expense into a strategic asset: commercial solar panel installation. 8MSolar specializes in designing and installing custom solar systems for businesses throughout North Carolina. We understand that every business has unique energy needs, facility constraints, and financial goals. That’s why we engineer each commercial solar system from the ground up, creating solutions that maximize…
Available in 80W and 108W versions with high-efficiency SunPower Maxeon cells, the kit offers wind resistance up to 25 m/s and is easy to install on unused boat surfaces, according to the manufacturer. April 1, 2026 Emiliano Bellini Italian PV module manufacturer Solbian has unveiled a new solar kit designed for installation on boat davits. “The solution offers both recreational sailors and maritime professionals a simple and efficient way to generate sustainable energy on board, making use of surfaces that often go unused,” said a company spokesperson. pv magazine. The SunBoard kit includes Solbian’s first rigid frame module, designed to…
The German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) will present a framework for future network fees in May 2026, with industry discussions highlighting how these fees could interact with flexible connection agreements and impact battery energy storage system (BESS) revenues. April 1, 2026 Marian Willuhn Image: pv magazine, Marian Willuhn By ESS news One of the main questions on the first day of the Battery Business & Development Forum (BBDF) 2026 in Frankfurt was whether Germany’s exemption from electricity tariffs for battery storage will end, and if so, when. Many visitors to the second annual BBDF event have been waiting for months…
By ESS news The opening session of BBDF day two highlighted the completion of the project, with the discussion focusing on the very real work required to get a turnkey project off the ground. Industry experts detailed the complex negotiations that must take place between parties, with banks, optimizers, developers and an engaged industry audience all sharing their perspectives. From working with distribution system operators and navigating flexible grid connection agreements to securing credible revenue streams, attendees delved into the practicalities of completing a BESS project by 2026. Real-world examples formed the cornerstone of the session and attendees were treated…
April 1, 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. Canopies for parking garages shape the next generation of solar energy. The key to unlocking underutilized opportunities and simplifying complexity is expert design and engineering. The abundance of parking garages in the US represents an area of high growth potential, especially as greenfield space for solar farms becomes increasingly scarce and contested due to land competition. Garage structures in dense urban or commercial environments provide…
Renewable equipment distributor Segen has launched a solar panel recycling program for commercial projects in Britain. The company announced the plan today to address the decommissioning and repowering needs of commercial solar installations. It says that as solar capacity in Britain continues to grow, managing modules at the end of their life or when they are replaced by newer technologies is of increasing importance. Segen said it will recover silver, silicon and high-purity glass from decommissioned modules, which would then be “fed back into the production chain.” The company did not provide further details on this claim, including where and…