Section
Tech Frontier
Cell and module efficiency, perovskites, inverters, tracking, manufacturing lines and supply-chain technology. Coverage concentrates on results that move from the lab toward commercial production.
Deep Learning Models Reveal Accuracy Tradeoffs in Arid Solar Grid
Researchers in Oman evaluated deep learning models for solar forecasting, finding that Temporal Fusion Transformers outperform LSTM networks in cross-location accuracy. This study provides critical benchmarks for grid operators to improve long-term capacity planning in arid regions.
Solar perovskite finds a way to overcome one of its major commercial hurdles: light-induced degradation
Researchers from PolyU and Zhejiang University identified a mechanism for light-induced degradation in perovskite solar cells and developed a treatment to repair inter-crystal defects. This advance is significant for solar professionals as it addresses a major obstacle to the large-scale commercialization of this high-efficiency photovoltaic technology.
Solar glass survives ~20J hail impacts, but modules crack at lower energy when ice hits near the edge
Sandia National Laboratories research demonstrates that solar module glass withstands impacts up to 20 joules, but modules crack at lower energies when ice strikes near the edge. This finding is critical for engineers and installers to understand the specific mechanical vulnerabilities of large-format modules under severe weather conditions.
Kevlar textile stores solar energy and powers motion sensing in one fabric
Researchers developed a Kevlar textile that integrates molecular solar thermal storage and a triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered motion sensing. This demonstrates a new approach to wearable energy harvesting that could influence future smart textile and building-integrated photovoltaic applications.
Study Finds 0.5-Meter Row Spacing Improves Cooling in Floating Solar Farms
A computational fluid dynamics study on a floating solar project in Italy identified a 0.5-meter row spacing as the most effective configuration for reducing panel operating temperatures. This research highlights the critical role of airflow management in floating photovoltaic design, challenging the assumption that proximity to water alone ensures optimal cooling for system efficiency.
The Solar Panel Recycling Dilemma: How to Sacrifice Value for Environmental Protection (Report)
Researchers evaluated the environmental and economic performance of three recycling strategies for frameless, double-glass solar panels encapsulated with flexible polyolefin. This analysis is critical for professionals as it highlights the trade-offs between material recovery value and environmental impact in next-generation panel designs.
Lithium-Ion Batteries and Capacitors Converge as Electrode and Electrolyte
A new review in Discover Electrochemistry maps how electrode and electrolyte advances are converging lithium-ion batteries and capacitors into complementary storage solutions. This matters to solar and energy-storage professionals because it clarifies which chemistry suits grid storage versus fast-cycling applications, guiding safer and more sustainable system design.
China: Chinese team's slurry boosts capacity of manganese batteries by 409%
Shanghai University researchers reported a 409 percent capacity boost in manganese-based semi-solid batteries by using a MnO2 slurry electrolyte. This advancement is significant for energy storage professionals as it addresses capacity limitations in manganese systems, potentially enabling more efficient large-scale storage solutions.
30 Seconds of Charging for 10,000 Cycles: Sodium-Ion Battery Finally Finds Its Armor
Researchers from Fudan University and Shanghai Electric Group published a study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society detailing a new anode architecture for sodium-ion batteries. This development is significant for energy storage professionals as it addresses the structural degradation and low conductivity issues that have historically limited the cycle life and fast-charging capability of sodium-ion technology.
FOSTER Q3 Profit Jumps 64.5% to 1.13B Yuan as China PV Film Rivals Struggle at Break-Even
FOSTER reported a 64.5% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first three quarters of 2026, standing alone among major Chinese photovoltaic encapsulation film manufacturers while rivals struggled at break-even. This divergence highlights the widening earnings gap between leading and second-tier companies in the supply chain, indicating that profitability recovery is not uniform across the sector.
IoT rig tracks perovskite solar windows through a real winter
A field study in Peshawar tracked two semi-transparent perovskite window modules through a full winter using low-cost IoT logging. This provides real-world seasonal degradation data for BIPV that laboratory simulators cannot replicate.
India’s solar module manufacturing capacity could reach 3.48 TW by 2047
ISMA projects India's solar module capacity to reach 3.48 TW by 2047, requiring $89 billion in investment. This roadmap highlights the shift toward full domestic value chain integration for energy professionals.
Nickel powder optimization cuts TOPCon solar cell metallization costs by 6.8% without compromising efficiency
UNSW researchers demonstrated a 6.8% reduction in rear-finger raw-metal costs for TOPCon cells by optimizing nickel powder characteristics for partial silver replacement. This work highlights how specific powder properties influence electrical performance and printability, offering a pathway to lower metallization expe
Chinese scientists develop self-powered PV-TEG system for hotspot detection, thermal management
Scientists at Southeast University developed a self-powered PV-TEG system that integrates hotspot detection and thermal management. This approach offers a new method for monitoring PV module health using thermoelectric signals.
PV Glass November Quotes Rise Across the Board, but Module Resistance Hinders Deal Transmission [SMM Analysis] - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)
PV glass quotes for 3.2mm and 2.0mm specifications rose in late October and early November 2026, with 2.0mm showing higher price elasticity. Module production resistance and potential supply resumption may limit further price gains, impacting procurement costs for solar projects.
New framework identifies key costs of photovoltaic panel recycling
The article presents a new structured framework for assessing PV recycling costs, validated through a systematic review of 23 studies and expert evaluation. This provides a methodological tool for professionals to analyze end-of-life management costs in markets with specific regulatory and market conditions.
Ultra-thin perovskite solar cells achieve near-27% efficiency, expanding clean energy potential
Researchers from Southeast University and Soochow University published a method for flexible perovskite solar cells achieving near 27% efficiency in small-scale devices. This progress in efficiency and stability is significant for expanding solar applications to curved or mobile surfaces where rigid panels are impracti
Tesla halts production of solar roof tiles, shifts to conventional solar panel supply
Tesla has discontinued its solar roof tile product and shifted its third-party installer network to supply only conventional solar panels. This move highlights the challenges of integrating aesthetic design with practical efficiency and cost targets in the residential solar market.
Flexible, Film-Light Solar Panels Expand Applications on Curved Surfaces
Researchers in China have developed a flexible perovskite solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 27% that meets the IEC 63163 stability standard. This achievement provides a critical foundation for transitioning flexible photovoltaic technology from laboratory research to industrial production for diverse applications.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells: 35.5% record efficiency in 2026
LONGi has achieved a certified laboratory efficiency of 35.5% for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, setting a new absolute record. This milestone demonstrates the potential to overcome the physical limits of pure silicon, which is significant for professionals tracking the next generation of high-efficiency photovoltaic technologies.
China: Behind the Clean Panels: The Livelihood Concerns of 220,000 Chinese Workers
China's solar manufacturing sector is experiencing significant workforce reductions and automation upgrades as the industry undergoes a consolidation phase. This shift highlights the structural changes in production efficiency and labor dynamics that impact the global supply chain for solar professionals.
Climate change could boost solar power production in Sweden by 5%
Swedish researchers have published a study projecting a 5% increase in photovoltaic production in Sweden by 2100 due to climate change factors. This analysis provides critical data for engineers to accurately estimate local solar output in high-latitude regions with significant snow cover.
Serrated Surfaces Could Push All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells Toward 31
A simulation study from Huazhong University of Science and Technology demonstrates that serrated microstructures can reduce reflection losses and increase the simulated efficiency of all-perovskite tandem cells to 31.13 percent. This research is significant for solar professionals as it identifies a specific optical design strategy that could help overcome current efficiency barriers in next-generation perovskite tandem technologies.
Two More Companies Announce Price Hikes of Up to 15%; Multiple Solar-Related Stocks Hit Limit-Down
Huawei Digital Power and GoodWe announced price increases for inverters and storage systems, citing rising raw material and component costs. This highlights the impact of supply chain inflation on equipment margins and market sentiment for solar professionals.