Tandem PV has achieved a record-breaking conversion efficiency of 30.4% with their perovskite glass tandem configuration module, surpassing the 30% efficiency barrier and showing promising durability with a 1% degradation rate per year. The company, with former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on board, aims to quickly scale production modules that could achieve 28% efficiency. Their design allows for integration with various cell technologies, ensuring continued improvement in the future and providing more affordable and reliable clean energy solutions for America.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Trina Solar announces 907 W tandem solar module with 29.2% efficiency
Trina Solar has successfully developed a high-efficiency tandem solar module with a record-breaking conversion efficiency of 29.2%, utilizing n-type TOPCon crystalline silicon and perovskite cells. This module, designed for mass production, aims to absorb a wider solar spectrum and has passed reliability testing. The company plans to ramp up production by 2026, showcasing their world-leading performance in efficiency and power output with their tandem solar cell technology.
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All solar cell efficiencies at a glance – updated
The Solar Cell Efficiency Tables, led by Professor Martin Green from UNSW, have been updated to Version 68 and will be available as open access in Joule starting from July 2026. The latest results show new efficiency records for large area silicon cells, modules, and lead halide perovskite cells. Progress has also been made with perovskite-silicon tandem cells and modules, indicating a positive trend towards more efficient and sustainable photovoltaic systems. Additionally, Version 67 presented a new record of 27.9% efficiency for an interdigitated-back-contact (IBC) device developed by Longi, showcasing significant advancements in solar cell technology since the tables were first published in 1993. Scientists from various institutions around the world, including the European Commission Joint Research Centre, Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, and the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, have contributed to these advancements.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/29/all-solar-cell-efficiencies-at-a-glance-updated-6/
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The Hydrogen Stream: JCN launches hydrogen-powered backhoe loader
Climate solutions experts are seeing a surge in hydrogen-powered initiatives worldwide, with companies like JCB, Syntholene, and Ohmium International leading the way in developing sustainable energy solutions. From hydrogen buses in Italy to large-scale electrolyzer projects in Rotterdam, the shift towards green hydrogen is gaining momentum. Collaborations between companies like Lhyfe and Strabag in Germany and InSolare Energy in India are further driving the adoption of hydrogen technology. Additionally, the University of Canterbury in New Zealand joining Hydrogen Europe Research signifies a growing global network of universities and research organizations dedicated to advancing climate solutions.
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German consortium developing aluminum facade elements with integrated PV modules
Researchers from Germany have developed a PV-activated design facade element with aluminum as the base material, funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The approach involves directly laminating a PV module onto the aluminum facade element, with challenges such as bending and electrical insulation addressed. The prototypes of the PV-activated facade element differ from a facade element without PV by only two connectors, making them more likely to be accepted and used by installers. Scientists have developed a prototype called BIPV-4 for a façade element that utilizes aluminum-based PV technology, demonstrating that it can match conventional module performance while maintaining safe electrical isolation. The design includes rear junction boxes, insulated cross-connectors, a zigzag 3D structure, golden anodized aluminum, and optimized use of M12 cells. The group also created multiple PV design façade variants with adaptable cell formats, different surface geometries, and customizable color options, allowing for integration into diverse façade geometries and scalable to different module sizes up to 2 meters.
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Battery storage key to solar project bankability in Africa
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for solar project bankability in Africa, focusing on delivering flexible, dispatchable power for long-term value creation in the energy transition. Key factors for successful projects include credible counterparties, clear dispatch frameworks, and robust engineering structures. Strategies for scaling commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage projects in Africa involve long-term financing, standardized contracts, and risk mitigation techniques to attract private capital. Challenges include financing constraints, currency risks, and the need for innovative financing models like power support agreements. The African storage market is growing, with over 31.8 GWh of projects under development, emphasizing the importance of credible partners, bank guarantees, and effective project management to address collection risks.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/28/battery-storage-key-to-solar-project-bankability-in-africa/
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Storing renewables with compressed air in urban heating pipeline
Researchers in China have developed a heating pipeline compressed-air energy storage (HP-CAES) concept that repurposes urban district heating networks for storing surplus renewable electricity. The system stores compressed air and recovered compression heat within existing pipelines, improving efficiency and reducing infrastructure requirements. The method allows for simultaneous heating and energy storage functions without complex modifications, enabling widespread application in urban heating networks. The HP-CAES system was designed using thermodynamic modeling and simulations, with a total compressed-air storage volume of 38,334.69 m3 in three pipeline sections. A study compared an adiabatic compressed air energy storage (HP-CAES) system using a heating pipeline as storage with a metal tank-compressed air energy storage (MT-CAES) system. The HP-CAES system showed higher energy storage density and efficiency, especially when using sliding pressure mode. Optimizing pressure ranges and stage numbers is crucial for balancing energy efficiency, storage density, and ecological performance. The HP-CAES system also had lower investment costs and shorter payback periods compared to the MT-CAES system, making it a favorable option for urban heating networks.
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Assessing Elon Musk’s massive 100 GW solar ambitions
Elon Musk's ambitious plan for Tesla to build 100 GW of annual PV manufacturing capacity in the US, double the current capacity, highlights the potential for the company to lead in renewable energy solutions. Despite challenges such as significant investment, expertise, and space requirements, Tesla's track record of rapid factory construction and cash reserves position it as a strong candidate for success. By importing Chinese-built equipment and navigating interconnection processes with local utilities, Tesla aims to meet the increasing demand for renewable energy in the country. The plan could also impact the workforce and international trade policies in the solar manufacturing industry, providing a larger market for domestic companies like Tesla. Overall, Tesla's goal of expanding solar manufacturing capacity showcases its potential to drive new power generation and grid-scale battery storage in the US.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/05/27/assessing-elon-musks-massive-100-gw-solar-ambitions/
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EU awards €400 million to 65 industrial heat projects in auction
The European Commission has awarded €400 million to 65 industrial heat decarbonization projects in 10 European countries under the Innovation Fund's first heat auction. These projects aim to deploy electrified and renewable heat technologies in energy-intensive industries such as pulp and paper, glass, and steel, with the goal of avoiding over 6.6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and producing 16.3 TWh of decarbonized heat in their first five years of operation. The funding, sourced from EU Emissions Trading System revenues, requires projects to reach financial close within two years of signing grant agreements. This initiative is considered a pilot for the future Industrial Decarbonization Bank under the Clean Industrial Deal.
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DAS Solar, UNSW build tunnel back-contact solar cell with 27% efficiency, lower silver content
Researchers from UNSW and DAS Solar have developed a zero-busbar metal grid optimization approach for tunnel oxide passivated back-contact (TBC) silicon solar cells, reducing silver consumption by 3-4 mg/W. The first TBC cells produced using this technique have achieved efficiencies exceeding 27%. The ZBB design cuts silver paste consumption significantly, supporting large-scale industrialization of TBC solar cells. DAS Solar has begun mass production of ZBB TBC cells with silver consumption of approximately 6 mg/W and peak conversion efficiency exceeding 27%. The cell design includes textured front surface with passivation layers and relies on p-type and n-type polycrystalline silicon at the rear side. The article also discusses the benefits of larger busbar segmentation and efficient current routing in improving solar cell efficiency, comparing ZBB cells with pad-based cells. The study found that ZBB cells offer at least a 0.1% efficiency gain over pad-based cells, with potential for further improvement with reduced silver paste consumption. DAS Solar introduced a circuit-model-based method to detect hot-spot risks in TOPCon back-contact modules, addressing limitations of existing approaches.