China has achieved a significant milestone by connecting the world's first GWh-scale supercapacitor-energy storage project to the grid in northwest China. The Jiayuguan NingSheng project, invested by China National Nuclear Corporation, utilizes a hybrid configuration of lithium batteries and supercapacitors to support grid stability, integrate renewables, and enable long-duration energy shifting and peak shaving. Located in a key renewable energy hub in Gansu province, this project showcases the potential for supercapacitors to provide millisecond-level response for frequency regulation and rapid grid stabilization, highlighting innovative solutions for the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
Author: Pv Magazine
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JinkoSolar pushes on perovskite-silicon tandem solar with new partnership
JinkoSolar has partnered with XtalPi to utilize AI and quantum physics-based models in advancing research on perovskite-crystalline-silicon tandem solar cells, with the goal of accelerating the discovery and optimization of tandem device stacks for increased efficiency and stability. Recently achieving a 34.76% power conversion efficiency for a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, JinkoSolar attributes the breakthrough to innovations in perovskite and tandem technologies. This collaboration with XtalPi is viewed as an extension of JinkoSolar's "next-gen" cell roadmap, showcasing a promising step towards more efficient and stable solar energy solutions.
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Maldives microgrid project with floating solar becomes model for island renewables projects
The Soneva Secret resort project in the Maldives, designed by Canopy Power, features a 2 MWp floating solar PV plant and a 3 MWh battery storage system, aiming to increase renewable energy penetration to 75-80% on the island and reduce diesel reliance. This sustainable energy solution, utilizing Ocean Sun's floating solar technology, is projected to save 900,000 to 1,000,000 liters of diesel per year and cut over 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions. With a focus on longevity and minimal maintenance, the system is built to last two decades and offers affordable and reliable power for islands, fostering economic growth and improving the lives of island communities worldwide.
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Türkiye installs 4.7 GW of solar in 2025
Türkiye's cumulative solar capacity is nearing 25 GW, with 4,694 MW of new solar deployed in 2025, primarily for self-consumption in the commercial and industrial sector. Unlicensed and licensed power plants both contributed to this growth, with a focus on easing bureaucratic barriers for residential solar systems to unlock rooftop solar potential. The solar market in Türkiye is expected to continue expanding, particularly in licensed power plant installations and the rising popularity of floating solar, showcasing the country's commitment to renewable energy solutions and addressing climate change.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/07/turkiye-installs-4-7-gw-of-solar-in-2025/
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New European solid-state battery business targets commercial production
Axens Group, Syensqo, and IFP Energies nouvelles have joined forces to establish Argylium, a company dedicated to developing high-performance sulfide solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries in Europe. Utilizing technology from Syensqo's Paris laboratory, Argylium aims to industrialize next-generation sulfide solid electrolyte materials for all-solid state batteries. With a solid-state battery pilot line in La Rochelle, France, the company's goal is to commercialize these materials and contribute to the advancement of climate-friendly energy storage solutions.
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Thicker alumunium oxide layers can reduce ultraviolet-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells
Researchers from UNSW have developed a model linking UV-induced degradation in TOPCon solar cells to hydrogen transport, charge trapping, and structural changes in the passivation stack. Thicker aluminum oxide layers improve UV resilience by limiting hydrogen migration. The study conducted on TOPCon cells showed a complex interaction between chemical degradation and temporary enhancement in field-effect passivation. High-energy UV photons break Si-H bonds in the SiNx capping layer, releasing mobile hydrogen that degrades chemical passivation. Thicker 7 nm AlOx layers act as a more effective barrier to hydrogen transport, improving UVID resilience. Researchers have identified new failure modes and degradation mechanisms in TOPCon solar modules, including the impact of soldering flux, contact corrosion, and sodium-induced degradation. The research also highlights the vulnerability of TOPCon solar cells to various forms of degradation under different conditions. The study provides design guidance for more UV-robust passivation stacks and improved testing protocols, as presented in a paper published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
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Japanese companies to build world’s largest liquefied hydrogen carrier
Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Suiso Energy are collaborating on the construction of a 40,000 cubic meter vessel to address global hydrogen demand by the 2030s. The liquefied hydrogen carrier will feature a diesel- and hydrogen-fueled electric propulsion system, specialized cargo tanks, and advanced insulation to minimize boil-off gas. Kawasaki Heavy Industries' expertise in hydrogen transportation, along with Japan Suiso Energy's ship-to-base loading project, highlights the growing focus on sustainable solutions in the maritime industry. This innovative approach to hydrogen transportation signifies a significant step towards achieving a more environmentally friendly and efficient global energy system.
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EPFL researchers enhance perovskite solar cell performance via rubidium
Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland and a collaborative team from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National University of Singapore, University of Ioannina, and Politecnico di Milano have made significant advancements in perovskite solar cell technology. By incorporating rubidium (Rb) into the perovskite lattice structure, they were able to enhance stability and efficiency, achieving champion efficiency levels of 25.77% and 20.65% respectively. The introduction of Rb+ cations at grain domain boundaries and the lattice strain approach led to improved carrier diffusion length, lifetime, and suppression of halide phase segregation. These developments mark a promising step forward in the quest for more efficient and stable solar energy solutions.
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California water district plans up to 21 GW of solar on fallowed farmland
The Westlands Water District in California has adopted the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan to develop up to 21 GW of solar generation on fallowed agricultural land in response to water shortages in the San Joaquin Valley. California law AB 2661 allows the district to repurpose the land for solar, storage, and transmission facilities, aiming to preserve agriculture viability and create economic opportunities for farmworkers. Stakeholder collaboration will be key in advancing project planning and implementation steps for this initiative, which seeks to address water scarcity while promoting sustainable solutions for the region's agricultural sector.
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Google acquires Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion
Google has acquired Intersect Power for nearly $5 billion to develop solar and storage projects for its AI data centers, aiming to bypass grid bottlenecks and scale rapidly with energy parks co-locating data centers with generation and storage assets. With $15 billion in assets, Intersect Power plans to have 10.8 GW of capacity by 2028. Google's energy park development strategy, including the Quantum Clean Energy Project in Texas, focuses on clean energy solutions for a more sustainable future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/01/05/google-acquires-intersect-power-for-nearly-5-billion/