Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Researchers integrated transient optical spectroscopy with ultrafast electron microscopy to capture both electronic and structural dynamics simultaneously. This enables the study of heterogeneous materials, phase transitions, and light-driven functional responses with implications for solar cells, quantum computing, and next-generation...
A novel strategy to regulate the buried interface through multifunctional molecular bridges enables efficient defect passivation and improved energy-level alignment. This results in improved efficiency and long-term stability of perovskite solar cells.
A novel multi-stage concentrating and spectrum-splitting coupling approach is proposed for complementary PV-TPV conversion. The system decouples temperature and concentration ratios, enabling efficient thermophotovoltaic conversion of high-energy photons.
Industry-wide shift towards n-type TOPCon technology dominates market share, with silicon solar cells reaching new heights in efficiency. Perovskite solar cells break single-junction barrier, while organic solar cells cross 20% efficiency threshold.
A two-year study found that small household solar power systems have limited capacity, typically only 6 watts, which does not deliver meaningful energy services. Households with access to higher-capacity systems (50+ watts) reap the most direct benefits and are more likely to adopt additional solar components.
A team of scientists and industry experts investigated the challenges of developing new solar cells, including copper indium gallium diselenide and perovskite. They recommend focusing on material resilience, stability, and sustainability to ensure long-term success.
Xiwen Gong and Zhen Xu, both from the University of Michigan Engineering, received the award for developing optoelectronics and histotripsy, a cancer treatment using sound waves. The new treatment can spare patients from chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Researchers at ISTA discover perovskites' unique photovoltaic properties rely on structural defects, enabling long-range charge transport. This finding accelerates the transition of next-gen perovskite solar cells to real-world applications.
A new international study found that deploying next-generation solar panels at scale could reduce global carbon emissions by up to 8.2 billion tonnes by 2035. The technology, known as tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics, has lower environmental impacts in fifteen out of sixteen categories compared to the incumbent PE...
A new bilayer perovskite strategy improves long-term stability in solar cells by combining a hybrid organic-inorganic absorber with an ultrathin inorganic capping layer. The approach delivers record-level efficiency together with exceptional operational stability, demonstrating a viable pathway toward durable, high-performance perovski...
A new stabilization approach for perovskite solar cells effectively blocks photo-induced decomposition pathways, delivering a certified power conversion efficiency above 26%. The strategy suppresses radical reactions responsible for light-induced degradation by scavenging reactive oxygen species and passivating electronic defects.
NTU Singapore is launching three new space projects under the Space Access Programme to accelerate the commercialization of space technologies. The projects include an AI-enabled satellite, a nanosatellite testing next-generation solar cells, and another nanosatellite with advanced propulsion systems.
A team of University of Toledo physicists predicts significant growth for cadmium telluride photovoltaics in the US, with a target manufacturing capacity of 100 gigawatts by 2030. The technology offers advantages over silicon photovoltaics, including improved performance in hot and humid climates, and supports national energy security.
Scientists introduce a groundbreaking approach to generate significant photocurrents from perfectly symmetric materials by engineering surface electronic states. This discovery opens new pathways for designing ultrafast spintronic devices and energy harvesting systems.
Researchers used a quantum device to simulate a vibrating molecule, tracking how energy moves within it. They found that vibrations can actively steer energy flow in unexpected ways, speeding up transfer and opening new pathways.
Researchers tested large-scale roofing assemblies with mounted PV solar panels, exposing the leading edge to flame and crosswind to understand fire hazards. The study aims to update building codes and fire mitigation protocols for commercial and industrial solar panel installations.
Physicists at Trinity College Dublin propose a new means of capturing useful energy from light sources like sunlight, lamps, and LEDs. Theoretical analysis may lead to the development of optical devices that can channel light energy into a concentrated beam.
The new vapour-deposition method delivers unprecedented durability in perovskite–silicon tandem solar cells, achieving over 30% power-conversion efficiency and operating stability exceeding 2,000 hours. This breakthrough paves the way for real-world deployment of tandem solar modules.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new interface engineering strategy for back-contact solar cells, which can improve efficiency and stability. The team created a bilayer tin oxide electron transport layer that enhances interfacial contact and reduces recombination losses.
Researchers at Chonnam National University have developed a new approach to thin-film solar cells using a nanometric germanium oxide layer, resulting in improved performance and device stability. The innovative design boosts power conversion efficiency by up to 4.81%.
Agrivoltaics systems can significantly augment quality of life for farmworkers by providing shelter from the sun, cooler drinking water, and reduced fatigue. Researchers found that these systems can reduce wet bulb globe temperature by up to 5.5 degrees Celsius, making them a crucial tool in protecting farmworkers from heat stress.
Researchers have developed flexible perovskite solar modules with power conversion efficiency (PCE) over 20% using acid-treated carbon nanotubes as window electrodes. These modules exhibit improved stability, bendability, and scalability, making them a promising solution for sustainable energy systems.
L. Jay Guo, University of Michigan professor, recognized for scalable nanopatterning technology enabling next-gen flexible electronics and structural color applications. His work has attracted interest from major companies like Samsung and Toyota.
Scientists have detected the faint signals of electrons in organic materials, revealing new insights into the physics of photodegradation and long-term photoemission processes. By reimagining conventional spectroscopy setups, researchers have captured the exact mechanisms of weak charge accumulation, providing direct evidence for multi...
The VTA method creates an optimal internal architecture within photovoltaic material, resulting in devices with high performance and extended stability. Champion cells reached 20.5% power conversion efficiency and demonstrated improved structural organization and reduced degradation.
A new study found that tin-perovskite solar cells have significantly lower ion density and degrade five times slower than lead-based cells. The tin material also exhibits excellent stability during operation, paving the way for developing innovative thin-film solar cells.
Researchers have developed a breakthrough strategy for ultraflat, electronically homogeneous perovskite films through supramolecule-confined growth. This innovative approach enhances reproducibility and performance of perovskite solar cells.
Researchers at NUS developed a new heat-resistant material to strengthen the weakest link in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The cross-linked molecular layer improved durability and efficiency over 1,200 hours of continuous operation.
A new monitoring system using synchronized sensors provides detailed information on solar plant performance every tenth of a second, enabling more accurate predictions. This allows for more realistic auction settings and improved grid stability.
Researchers have developed two novel fullerene derivatives to stabilize inverted perovskite solar cells, achieving higher efficiency and stability. The new electron transport layers show improved performance and operational stability under continuous light exposure.
Scientists have achieved control over the atomic structure of perovskites, creating a finely tuned energy sandwich that could transform how solar cells, LEDs, and lasers are made. The new method enables precise control over the thickness of films and interaction between layers, paving the way for scalable and high-performance devices.
Researchers at MIT have developed a nearly impermeable polymer film that could protect solar panels and infrastructure from corrosion. The film, made using a solution-phase polymerization reaction, completely repels nitrogen and other gases, outperforming existing polymers.
A novel coating at the interface between perovskite and top contact layer boosts efficiency to almost 27% and increases stability by 2,000 hours under standard illumination. The fluorinated compound forms a protective barrier, reducing defects and losses.
Scientists have developed a novel 'double molecular bridge' strategy to enhance charge transport in perovskite solar cells, leading to improved efficiency and reduced nonradiative losses. This breakthrough confirms the importance of interfaces in perovskite photovoltaics and opens up new avenues for interface engineering.
Two-dimensional materials are being explored for their potential to revolutionize photovoltaics, with a focus on improving efficiency and stability. The review highlights the innovative design and features of these materials, as well as their promising applications in next-generation photovoltaic technologies.
Researchers at PolyU developed an innovative parameter to evaluate photoactive materials for ST-OPVs, advancing high-performance devices with low-cost production and environmental sustainability. Record light utilisation efficiency of 6.05% was achieved in semi-transparent solar cells.
Researchers at Yunnan University developed a strategy to improve the performance of printable mesoscopic perovskite solar cells by using liquid gallium nanodroplets as a heteroepitaxial template. The study achieved over 20% efficiency and exceptional stability, paving the way for scalable printing of high-performance solar cells.
A University of Sydney-led team has created the largest and most efficient triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell reported, demonstrating high efficiency and durability. The 16 cm² cell achieved an independently certified steady-state power conversion efficiency of 23.3 percent.
A new spinel-type sulfide semiconductor, (Zn,Mg)Sc2S4, has been developed by researchers at Science Tokyo. The material can be chemically tuned to switch between n-type and p-type conduction, making it suitable for pn homojunction devices in next-generation LEDs and solar cells.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed new simulation methods using machine learning to understand halide perovskites, a promising material for efficient solar cells. The study provides insights into the structure and behavior of formamidinium lead iodide, helping to address its instability issues.
A team of researchers developed a new manufacturing process using bio-based solvents to reduce the production cost of perovskite solar cells by half and decrease climate impact by over 80%. AI-based reverse engineering technology was used to identify optimal conditions for efficiency and sustainability.
A tiny defect in perovskite solar cells could lead to permanent degradation and failure, as a small amount of reverse bias causes the materials to heat up and 'melt'. Researchers have used advanced imaging techniques to study the defects and understand how they affect device behavior.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that vertical solar panels can generate electricity without compromising crop yields, even with reduced shade. The system requires less land than separate installations and is better received by the public due to its innovative design.
Researchers achieved excellent passivation of perovskite top cells on textured silicon surfaces, leading to improved efficiency and conductivity. The breakthrough enhances understanding of processes occurring in top cells and paves the way for further innovation in tandem solar cell development.
Researchers are testing how crops grow between rows of solar panels on a farm in New York state. The team is growing various crops, including strawberries, raspberries, and soybeans, with promising early results.
A study published in the journal Joule estimates that space-based solar power could reduce Earth-based renewable energy costs by 7-15% and offset up to 80% of wind and solar power by 2050. The heliostat design, with higher potential for continuous solar energy capture, would outperform wind and solar power.
A new study reveals that households with solar panels can increase their returns by selling surplus power directly to their neighbours through peer-to-peer energy sharing. This approach helps stabilize the electricity grid and negotiates a better price for households compared to traditional grid export arrangements.
Researchers developed a hybrid-interlocked self-assembled monolayer strategy to enhance device stability in perovskite indoor photovoltaics. The optimized devices achieved record indoor power conversion efficiency of 42.01% and projected T90 lifetime approaching 6000 hours.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new type of solar thermoelectric generator that can harness thermal energy in addition to sunlight. The device is 15 times more efficient than current state-of-the-art devices, making it a promising source of renewable energy.
Researchers at University College London developed durable new solar cells capable of efficiently harvesting energy from indoor light. The team successfully reduced defects in the perovskite material, increasing efficiency and durability, paving the way for electronics powered by ambient light.
Researchers have discovered a phenothiazine-based self-assembled monolayer that reduces losses in tin perovskite solar cells, achieving an efficiency of 8.2%. This breakthrough paves the way for further improvements to pure tin perovskite tandem solar cells.
A Japanese study demonstrates that dual-axis sun-tracking agrivoltaic systems can produce competitive solar power while maintaining high-quality rice yields. The system achieved 75-85% rice yield improvements compared to traditional paddies, and generated nearly 44,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Researchers developed a silane coupling agent strategy that improves interfacial adhesion and charge extraction in wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells. This approach reduces defects and non-radiative recombination, leading to high efficiency and stability.
Professor Kanatzidis has been awarded the 2025 Albert Einstein World Award of Science for his groundbreaking contributions to shaping the field of solar photovoltaic materials. His work has led to the development of high-performance, low-cost, and durable photovoltaic semiconductors.
Researchers developed a strategy to control high-concentration precursor crystallization, enabling the formation of thick, high-quality perovskite films that minimize photon loss. The optimized bifacial solar cells achieved record-breaking power conversion efficiency and outstanding operational stability.
A fully autonomous robotic system developed by MIT researchers can measure important material properties like photoconductivity, increasing the speed and precision of research. The system uses machine learning and robotics to analyze new semiconductors and optimize the development of more powerful solar panels.
The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) has developed a proposal for the
The University of Ottawa's SUNLAB has developed a simulation model for multi-junction photonic power converters, which enable the conversion of laser light into electrical power with higher efficiencies and voltages. This technology could lead to more reliable telecommunication networks, reduce costs by enhancing systems performance, a...
Researchers at Kyoto University have created a new artificial heterostructure device that mimics broken spatial and time-reversal symmetry, enabling new bulk photovoltaic effects. The device shows promise for next-generation solar cells with improved efficiency and multifunctionality.
Researchers have developed a new high-performance image sensor that incorporates a built-in solar cell structure using pinned-surface double-junction photodiodes. This design improves light sensitivity and reduces image lag, making it suitable for applications such as AI smart robot vision chips.