Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

Australian printed solar tech company Kardinia Energy and globally acclaimed rock band Coldplay have together delivered one of the largest live-event deployments of mobile solar while providing a high-profile test for organic, ink-based photovoltaics.

JinkoSolar led global PV module shipments in 2024, followed by JA Solar, Longi, Canadian Solar and Trina Solar, according to Wood Mackenzie. The research firm notes a growing shift toward full vertical integration among top manufacturers.

Independent testing laboratory Kiwa-PVEL has published the 11th edition of its PV Module Reliability Scorecard, having extensively tested PV modules from 50 different manufacturers. The scorecard reveals improvements in energy yield per watt-peak and resistance to potential-induced degradation, but an increase in breakage under mechanical stress and hail simulations, and an overall higher failure rate are cause for concern to many.

German home energy and electrification company 1Komma5° has unveiled a residential energy ecosystem for the Australian market including solar panels, hybrid inverter, and the brand’s intelligent battery energy storage solution.

Swiss solar cell company Meyer Burger said it filed for insolvency for its German subsidiaries, following intensive efforts to keep Meyer Burger Industries GmbH and Meyer Burger Germany GmbH operational.

An international research team has observed a significant increase in series resistance in LECO-treated TOPCon solar cells after temperature and bias treatment. The scientists said they now need to conduct further investigations into its impact on cell efficiency, reliability, and bankability.

Researchers in Netherlands and Belgium have created a numerical model to simulate the moisture ingress in PV modules. Their research work showed that climate in which a PV module is installed has a much higher impact on the moisture ingress than the choice of materials for the encapsulant of the backsheet.

The research group led by Professor Martin Green has published Version 66 of the solar cell efficiency tables. There are 21 new results reported in the new version.

Researchers in China have fabricated a perovskite-TOPCon solar cell with a top perovskite device utilising a self-assembled monolayer aimed to improved cell stability. The tandem cell achieved a high fill factor and a certified efficiency of 30.9%.

Modular solar developer 5B is Australia’s first recipient of the federal government’s $1 billion Solar SunShot program, receiving $46 million to increase the manufacturing capacity of its Maverick unit.