TOPCon solar cell achieves 24.2% efficiency via new plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition tech
A team of international researchers has simplified the deposition of thin film layers in the commercial production of TOPCon solar cells. Via a tube-type industrial plasma-assisted atomic layer deposition (PEALD) technique, they were able to achieve a power conversion efficiency of 22.8% in a 60-cell, 613 W TOPCon module.
RenewSys unveils 590 W bifacial solar module
India’s RenewSys has unveiled its DESERV Extreme series of bifacial modules, with front-side power outputs ranging from 565 W to 590 W. The modules are built with half-cut, mono PERC cells.
Global polysilicon capacity could hit 536 GW by end of 2023
Clean Energy Associates said in a new report that it expects polysilicon production capacity to exceed PV installations next year.
Longi eyes green hydrogen market in India
Longi is entering the green hydrogen market in India with its alkaline electrolyzer offerings. It will also roll a next-generation Hi-MO solar module later this year, which, it says, will outshine all the prevailing panel technologies.
JinkoSolar achieves 26.1% efficiency for n-type TOPCon solar cell
JinkoSolar has set another world record for n-type solar cell efficiencies with its TOPCon technology, this time reaching 26.1%. The new record was confirmed by China’s National Institute of Metrology.
“n-type module launch reflects our commitment to India”
China’s Trina Solar has shipped more than 8 GW of solar modules to India. It is looking to strengthen its foothold in the market with the launch of n-type PV modules.
AE Solar unveils n-type TOPCon solar modules with 22.2% efficiency
Germany-based AE Solar said its new panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.35% per degree Celsius and come with a 30-year power output guarantee for 87.4% of the initial yield.
REC places order for Maxwell’s HJT solar line
Maxwell Technologies will supply 600 MW of manufacturing equipment for REC’s latest heterojunction (HJT) innovation, REC Alpha Pure-R.
Challenges to utility-scale solar in India
The growth of utility-scale solar PV in India is marred by several challenges such as availability of land, limited local manufacturing capacity, high transmission and distribution losses, grid integration, and other inefficiencies.
Copper is the new silver lining
As the PV industry scales to annual terawatt-level production to rapidly curtail the world’s emissions, it will become more challenging to continue the cost reduction trajectory. Increasing module production from current levels of 200 GW to 300 GW to several terawatts each year will consume significantly more material resources than the industry currently uses. This will require consideration of the additional materials to be sourced, writes Alison Lennon, chief scientist at Sundrive Solar and professor at the UNSW’s School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering.
