Author
Lior Kahana
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Articles written by Lior Kahana
Leapting launches autonomous forklift for solar module transport
The Chinese robotics manufacturer has introduced an autonomous tracked forklift capable of transporting solar module pallets weighing up to 3,000 kg. The battery-powered machine features a maximum lifting height of 3 m, a 30-degree climbing capability and a navigation system combining GNSS-RTK, laser SLAM and computer vision.
18 hours ago
The case for railway-integrated solar in South Korea
South Korea’s extensive railway network could provide new space for solar generation in densely populated areas where land availability is limited. Researchers have investigated the potential of installing PV systems between railway tracks, finding that suitable sections of five surface railway corridors could host more than 8.5 MW of solar capacity.
New electrode design by German institutes increases battery energy density by up to 15%
Fraunhofer ISE and its partners have developed thicker electrodes that could increase battery cell energy density by 10% to 15% without adding weight. The PFAS-free, solvent-free concept has been demonstrated in lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and zinc-ion cells and is designed for cost-effective mass production.
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GoSun unveils solar-chargeable electric tractor
GoSun and Moonrider have launched a 27 hp electric tractor powered by a 24 kWh LFP battery, with optional 1.1 kW solar charging. The four-wheel-drive tractor offers about five hours of runtime and features a 750 kg hitch lift capacity, rear PTO and connected functions.
Sep 16, 2026
Scientists turn end-of-life PV silicon into high-value silicon nitride
South Korean researchers have developed a method to upcycle silicon recovered from end-of-life PV modules into high-value silicon nitride (Si₃N₄). The process achieved recycled silicon purity of 99.95% through optimized milling, acid etching, and sedimentation before nitridation.
Perovskite solar cell based on seed crystals achieves 23.51% efficiency
Researchers have developed a seed-assisted crystallization strategy to produce pure α-phase FAPbI3 perovskite without conventional chemical stabilizers. The resulting device reached 23.51% efficiency and retained 99% of its initial performance after 3,000 hours of unencapsulated operation.
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U.S. startup exceeds 10% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency with 100 cm² module
SunHydrogen has achieved solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies above 10% with its 100 cm² modules in tests at Sparc Hydrogen’s laboratories. The U.S. company is now targeting efficiencies approaching 15% while working to scale the technology to larger, manufacturable modules.
UNSW launches grid protection project for inverter-based power systems
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have launched a three-and-a-half-year project to examine how inverter-based resources interact with grid protection systems. The AUD 12.9 million initiative will use modeling, simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing to assess fault-current behavior and protection requirements.
Solar modules with built-in buck converters could raise rooftop PV yield by up to 20% under partial shading
TU Delft researchers found that smart PV modules with integrated buck converters can significantly improve energy yields under partial shading by allowing individual substrings to operate independently. The systems delivered 15%-20% more energy than string-inverter systems and 2%-3% more than systems using microinverters or power optimizers, while potentially supporting up to 50% higher module costs at the same LCOE.
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