Manufacturing

Scientists in Hungary found that ground-mounted PV modules at an intermediate elevation of 1.1 m achieve the highest efficiency and power output due to improved airflow and reduced cell temperature. Their study also estimated a levelized cost of electricity of $0.0843/kWh and 577.78 kg CO₂ mitigation over 25 years, while noting results are specific to concrete surfaces.

The global capacity of utility-scale batteries increased more than 12-fold between 2020 and 2024 to 124 GW, while average battery costs fell 58% over the period, according to the Electricity 2026 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Arun Unni, Executive Vice President and Business Head – New Energy & Head of Strategy at Thermax, speaks to pv magazine about the evolving green hydrogen market, electrolysis economics, and the company’s ambitions in this space through global technology tie-ups. He also discusses the emerging carbon credit trading system and new opportunities for Thermax in biomass, sustainable fuels, and round-the-clock renewable energy solutions.

The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme says second-life PV modules have the potential to reduce waste and extend the value of solar assets, but their market today remains underdeveloped and requires advances in technical qualifications, scalable reuse infrastructure and supportive policy frameworks.

Nextpower plans to expand its steel frame manufacturing capacity in the southeastern United States to enable direct supply to Jinko Solar’s module manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, USA.

The Germany-based PV thermal process equipment and technology provider has launched c.Plasma Q Max to process up to 10,000 wafers per hour in high-volume TOPCon solar cell manufacturing lines.

The number of operational battery gigafactories will increase significantly, with more than 30 manufacturing sites expected to be in operation by 2030, targeting a total production capacity exceeding 290 GWh. However, challenges such as raw material and skilled labor shortages, insufficient R&D investment, and a lack of long-term strategic planning remain.

Saatvik Solar Industries has received and accepted an order worth INR 44.10 crore for the supply of solar PV modules. The order is scheduled for execution by March 2026.

Maxvolt Energy, a Ghaziabad-based lithium battery pack manufacturer, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to jointly develop an AI‑driven battery management system (AI‑BMS) for next‑generation energy storage and electric mobility solutions.

Fraunhofer scientists have announced two efficiency records for III-V tandem modules. The team says its 34.2% efficiency III-V germanium PV module is the most efficient solar module in the world, while its 31.3% efficiency III-V silicon PV module is a record in its class.