New metallization tech to reduce microcracks in solar cells
A U.S. research group has developed a metal-carbon-nanotube composite – MetZilla – which can be embedded in commercial, screen-printable silver pastes and is said to reduce the formation of hotspots in solar modules and to prolong panel lifespan. The composite metal contacts are also ‘self-healing’ as they are able to regain electrical continuity after cycles of complete electrical failure caused by extreme strain.
New material for radiative cooling of solar panels
Spanish researchers have discovered a material said to offer radiative cooling and self-cleaning of devices which undergo critical heating during operation, such as PV panels. The thermal emitter enabled the scientists to lower the daytime temperature of silicon wafers by 14 degrees Celsius.
The long read: Considering the competitive landscape for HJT
The benefits of heterojunction technology are well known. But as the first modules come onto the market from REC Group’s new HJT lines, the competitive landscape is crowded, but not without opportunity.
Assam will begin producing quantum dots for solar cells in Q1 2020
Amtronics’ Tech City facility—constructed to a 75,000 sq.ft footprint—will use US firm Quantum Materials Corp’s technology to manufacture quantum dots and thin-film quantum dot solar cells.
7 GW solar tender gets one-week extension—but will it help?
The manufacturing linked ISTS tender may face a ‘no bid’ situation even with amendments and bidding extensions, industry insider Gopal Lal Somani tells pv magazine as he explains the major reasons for developers’ cold response to some of the recent tenders.
JinkoSolar launches Tiger module Down Under
The Chinese manufacturer officially unveiled its high-efficiency product in Melbourne after celebrating a 13.6 MW panel order from the nascent Hungarian PV market.
Solar cells using imported blue wafers will not qualify as domestically manufactured: MNRE
The decision is likely to push upstream solar manufacturing in India, which currently has negligible wafer and cell production capacity to meet domestic content requirements for government projects.
Bangladeshi developer accuses India of dumping poor quality panels over the border
Visitors to this year’s Solar Bangladesh Expo have called for the implementation of quality standards on solar imports – action which the government is currently pursuing – with one industry insider rubbishing Indian-made products.
Manufacturing-linked solar tender scaled up to 7 GW
Solar generation capacity aggregating to 7 GW—as against 6 GW earlier—will now be awarded against setting up of 2 GW of annual manufacturing capacity. Tariff ceiling has also been increased to Rs2.93/kWh, from Rs2.75, for a period of 25 years. Bids can be submitted till October 31.
Central Electronics Ltd now tenders for supply of monocrystalline solar cells
Bids are invited for supply of 5-busbar cells with peak power output of 5.1W or greater and an efficiency of minimum 18.8%. The quantities to be supplied are 1000. Bidding closes on October 16.
