Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Pv Magazine

  • Cooling PV modules with hydrogel-coated paper

    A Vietnamese research team has developed a low-cost passive cooling system for PV modules using hydrogel-coated paper that combines water flow and interfacial evaporation to reduce operating temperatures. Outdoor tests showed temperature reductions of up to 14 C and efficiency gains of up to 16.8%, with stable operation achieved using both freshwater and natural seawater. The system was tested under real outdoor conditions and showed strong performance, with the hydrogel-coated paper maintaining effective cooling even with natural seawater. The novel passive cooling technique enables convective heat transfer through flowing water and dissipation of latent heat via interfacial evaporation, leading to significant efficiency gains for PV panels. The study involved researchers from various universities in Vietnam and aims to scale up the system for real-world use, focusing on optimizing materials for different climates, enhancing corrosion protection, and integrating energy generation with water treatment.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/28/cooling-pv-modules-with-hydrogel-coated-paper/

  • How to electrify greenhouses with semi-transparent PV, heat pumps

    Researchers in Canada found that 69%-transparent crystalline silicon semitransparent PV modules can improve tomato greenhouse yields by up to 38% while maintaining healthy plant growth through beneficial partial shading. Combining rooftop agrivoltaics with heat pumps can fully eliminate fossil fuel heating. Various bifacial STPV technologies were tested in greenhouse conditions for tomato production, with differences in light intensity and spectrum affecting plant growth. The study, published in Energy and Buildings, evaluated agrivoltaic greenhouse systems through five main stages and used software tools to simulate and analyze different greenhouse scenarios. Experimental investigations showed that the selected 69% transparent PV system with a heat pump enabled full electrification of an agrivoltaic greenhouse, covering approximately 13% of the total annual electricity demand. This combination of agrivoltaic fields and partially-powered agrivoltaic greenhouses was seen as a synergistic strategy for sustainable and economically viable production, with the potential to reduce greenhouse carbon emissions and improve crop yields.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/28/how-to-electrify-greenhouses-with-semi-transparent-pv-heat-pumps/

  • Trina Solar claims world’s highest efficiency for silicon solar cells with 28.0%-efficient device

    Trina Solar has achieved a power conversion efficiency of 28.0% for its new TOPCon-compatible hybrid back-contact solar cell, certified by Germany's ISFH. The THBC technology combines TOPCon passivated-contact capability, HJT-style passivation advantages, and a back-contact electrode structure, setting a new benchmark for large-area crystalline silicon cells. This innovation is compatible with thin wafers and current TOPCon production lines, potentially reducing commercialization costs. Trina Solar plans to release new THBC-based products and has mass-production plans in place, signaling a significant advancement in solar technology for climate solutions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/27/trina-solar-claims-worlds-highest-efficiency-for-silicon-solar-cells-with-28-0-efficient-device/

  • Meta gains early access to 1 GW of space-based solar power

    Meta has signed an agreement with Overview Energy to receive space-based solar power for its data centers, aiming to demonstrate the technology in 2028 and begin commercial power delivery in 2030. This system collects solar energy in space and beams it to existing solar facilities on the ground, offering a 30% power boost and allowing developers to bypass grid constraints and interconnection bottlenecks. The partnership reflects a broader industry shift towards non-grid solutions as companies seek to insulate themselves from grid volatility and meet the power requirements of generative AI. This innovative orbital strategy could revolutionize the way companies access renewable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/27/meta-gains-early-access-to-1-gw-of-space-based-solar-power/

  • UK solar developer secures $1.1 billion financing package

    Enviromena, an independent power producer, has secured a £825 million ($1.1 billion) senior portfolio financing package to support the buildout of a 1 GW solar pipeline in the UK. The financing, underwritten by institutional investors, includes an initial £525 million with an additional £300 million available for expansion. With a development pipeline exceeding 3 GW and over 120 solar plants built to date, Enviromena aims to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and support the UK's energy transition. This landmark financing package is a significant step towards achieving climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions in the UK.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/24/uk-solar-developer-secures-1-1-billion-financing-package/

  • Japanese scientists build all-perovskite tandem solar cell with 30.2% efficiency

    Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed an all-perovskite tandem solar cell using FAPbI3 nanoparticles, achieving 30.2% efficiency by combining a wide-bandgap top cell and a narrow-bandgap bottom cell. FAPbI3 is known for its high efficiency in solar cells but can transform into a non-functional phase, limiting performance. The researchers used a two-step method to fabricate the perovskite layers, stabilizing the material and improving durability. The four-terminal spectral splitting architecture of the device minimizes losses and efficiently utilizes the solar spectrum across both cells. The study suggests that carefully chosen spectral splitting wavelengths can lead to high efficiencies in both four-terminal and two-terminal perovskite solar cell architectures, with practical deployment options including outdoor photovoltaic systems and integration with concentrator photovoltaics.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/24/japanese-scientists-build-all-perovskite-tandem-solar-cell-with-30-2-efficiency/

  • Maldives’ largest floating solar array goes online

    Swimsol has successfully installed a 2.4 MW floating solar array at the Cheval Blanc Randheli resort in the Maldives, enabling the property to operate solely on solar power during daylight hours. The project utilizes the durable SolarSea platform, designed to withstand marine conditions with specially engineered anchors, high-quality components, and battery storage for optimized energy production and grid stability. This installation is expected to save the resort approximately $1.5 million annually in diesel costs, with a break-even point for SolarSea systems ranging between $0.65 and $0.85 per litre. With multiple SolarSea projects completed or in progress in the Maldives, Seychelles, and other island nations, this innovative solution is proving to be a sustainable and cost-effective option for transitioning to renewable energy sources in coastal regions.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/22/maldives-largest-floating-solar-array-goes-online/

  • Dutch buildings could host 36 GW of façade solar capacity

    The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) report highlights the potential for building façades to offer up to 36 GW of solar PV capacity in the country, particularly in buildings with unsuitable roofs or where architectural considerations are important. While façade PV is currently a niche solution due to high costs and regulatory complexity, it can complement rooftop systems in space-constrained or grid-limited areas. To increase uptake, the study recommends a targeted approach focusing on rooftop PV and selective use of façade systems, with more demonstration projects, improved transparency on costs, simplified permitting processes, and better communication of financial incentives. Municipalities and national authorities are encouraged to lead by example by deploying façade PV on public real estate.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/23/dutch-buildings-could-host-36-gw-of-facade-solar-capacity/

  • The world added 605 GW of new PV capacity in 2025, says IEA

    The International Energy Agency's latest report highlights the significant increase in solar PV electricity generation in 2025, with a total generation of around 2,800 TWh. Solar's share of global electricity generation has surpassed 8%, with solar covering 605 GW of new renewables capacity. Solar met more than 25% of the higher global energy demand, marking the first time a modern renewable source contributed the largest share of energy demand growth. Battery storage is identified as the fastest growing power technology, with lithium-iron phosphate batteries dominating the market and an increasing number of projects being deployed for longer durations to provide flexibility in systems with rising shares of PV.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/21/the-world-added-605-gw-of-new-pv-capacity-in-2025-says-iea/

  • Fabricating perovskite solar cells with robotic boxes

    An international research team has developed an AI-driven robotic platform that autonomously designs, fabricates, and optimizes perovskite solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 27%. The system processes information from thousands of publications and data generated during device fabrication through a seven-layer AI architecture. Scientists from multiple universities have collaborated on a system to improve recipe recommendations for robotic execution in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells, aiming to enhance efficiency and accuracy. This innovative approach combines robotic fabrication and characterization within a closed-loop system, highlighting the importance of technological advancements in the renewable energy sector.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/21/fabricating-perovskite-solar-cells-with-robotic-boxes/