Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a polymerizable non-flammable electrolyte for sodium-ion batteries, achieving "zero thermal runaway" and eliminating fire and explosion risks. This breakthrough in battery safety could accelerate the commercial use of sodium-ion technology, potentially revolutionizing the field of battery technology. The new electrolyte provides active thermal blocking, making it a game-changer in the quest for safer and more efficient energy storage solutions.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Internet-of-Things could bring solar module water cooling closer to commercial viability
A Czech research team has developed an IoT system for actively cooling PV panels, resulting in a 7.38% increase in daily energy yield and a positive net energy balance. The system utilizes a distributed architecture with edge, fog, and cloud layers, enabling autonomous operation and real-time decision-making. The study, published in Energy Conversion and Management: X, confirmed the system's effectiveness in improving energy efficiency and establishing a scalable foundation for future integration of AI-based control strategies. Scientists from the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and the Czech Academy of Sciences were involved in the research.
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Rooftop solar now accounts for one-fifth of Puerto Rico’s generation capacity
Rooftop solar installations in Puerto Rico have surpassed natural gas to become the second-largest power generation source in the territory, accounting for 20% of all capacity. Distributed solar has outpaced all other energy sources in Puerto Rico over the past decade, with 81% of new generating capacity added between 2016 and 2025 coming from rooftop systems. The growth in solar capacity has not displaced other generation sources like petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Additionally, the adoption of distributed energy storage, including battery systems, has grown rapidly in response to grid resilience challenges, with more than 171,000 households and businesses installing battery systems by the end of 2025. The new CEO of LUMA, Janisse Quiñones, is focused on improving grid reliability in Puerto Rico, with industry group SESA optimistic about increased collaboration under Quiñones' leadership and working towards advancing policies that support rooftop solar and battery storage as key components of Puerto Rico's energy future.
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‘Motherhood further shaped my leadership perspective’
Margarita Licht, Product Manager at Goldbeck Solar, emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and cognitive styles in the solar and energy storage sector for smarter solutions and effective problem-solving. Energy storage within the solar sector requires multi-disciplinary thinking to address complex challenges like grid balancing and battery optimization. Inclusion and diversity in teams lead to better outcomes, as different backgrounds bring unique approaches to problem-solving. Licht's leadership perspective, shaped by motherhood, highlights the need for diversity in cognitive styles to enhance decision-making processes and drive meaningful impact in the industry. She focuses on creating inclusive environments that value individual strengths and enable different perspectives to contribute to valuable solutions. The article also discusses the importance of aligning technical and commercial decisions at all levels to deliver sustainable infrastructure and reliable energy solutions, with a focus on the participation of women industry leaders and experts at Women in Solar+ Europe, including Margarita Licht.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/03/motherhood-further-shaped-my-leadership-perspective/
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TNO unveils 12.4%-efficient perovksite solar tile
The Dutch research institute TNO has developed the world's first perovskite-based roof tile, achieving up to 13.8% efficiency on standalone modules and 12.4% on curved surfaces. The flexible modules were produced using TNO's experimental roll-to-roll platform, with plans to commercialize the solar tile through its spinoff company Perovion Technologies. This building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) tile based on perovskite solar cell technology is a significant development in the renewable energy sector. The use of roll-to-roll manufacturing for perovskite solar cells is seen as a promising pathway to lower production costs and high-volume manufacturing for emerging thin-film technologies, offering potential solutions for climate change mitigation.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/02/tno-unveils-12-4-efficient-perovksite-solar-tile/
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UNSW study finds tracker-based PV systems experience higher UV degradation than fixed-tilt arrays
New research from the University of New South Wales highlights the significant impact of UV radiation on PV module degradation, with tropical and desert regions facing the highest stress. The study emphasizes the need for climate-specific testing and system design to accurately assess reliability. The researchers developed a global UV irradiance model that shows varying degradation rates based on deployment location and system design. Single-axis tracking systems in high-irradiance regions can experience up to 1.5 times more UV radiation and higher degradation rates compared to fixed-tilt installations. The study underscores the importance of considering UV exposure, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric conditions in assessing PV module performance. The article discusses the impact of UV-induced degradation on photovoltaic systems in arid and tropical climates, with rates reaching about 0.25-0.35% per year. A high-precision model to estimate UV radiation in PV systems was presented in the paper "Closing the UV-Induced Photodegradation Gap Through Global Scale Modeling of Fixed Tilt and Tracking Photovoltaic Systems." The study aims to connect fundamental degradation mechanisms with system-level impacts, combining accelerated testing with modeling to quantify energy yield losses in diverse climates and system designs. This research is part of a broader effort to understand how degradation affects real-world energy production in photovoltaic systems.
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TerraSpark, Dcubed to test space solar on SpaceX 2027 mission
Luxembourg's TerraSpark, with €5.4 million in funding, plans to conduct its first space-to-earth power transmission in 2028 using radio frequency-based wireless energy transmission. The company, led by former ESA Solaris program lead Sanjay Vijendran, aims to commercialize this technology by building scalable and reliable systems. TerraSpark will join Germany's Dcubed in 2027 to showcase in-space power generation and transmission capabilities, with a focus on advancing climate solutions through innovative energy technologies.
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Adani Green commissions 951 MW solar, hybrid capacity in India
Adani Green Energy Ltd. has recently commissioned 951 MW of solar and hybrid capacity in western India, specifically in Baiya, Rajasthan and Khavda, Gujarat. With 926 MW of solar and 25 MW of hybrid projects now operational, AGEL's total renewable generation capacity has reached 18,933.3 MW. These new projects have begun commercial operations and power generation as of March 30, 2026, contributing significantly to India's renewable energy goals and the fight against climate change.
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Pushing perovskite solar cells to the ultimate thickness limit
Researchers in Singapore have developed ultrathin perovskite solar cells with absorber layers as thin as 10 nm, achieving high transparency and stable efficiencies up to 12%. These cells offer scalable, design-flexible photovoltaics suitable for seamless integration into buildings, balancing optical transparency with electrical performance without sacrificing scalability or manufacturability. The study showed that the cells achieved power conversion efficiencies of 7%, 11%, and 12% with absorbers of 10 nm, 30 nm, and 60 nm respectively, maintaining their performance even in low-illumination conditions. Perovskite materials in buildings can generate electricity without changing their appearance, aiding in the growth of distributed renewables, with tunable optical properties and the ability to be manufactured on a large scale, potentially leading to further improvements in light-utilization efficiency in the built environment.
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DIY plug-in solar shows $0.65/W potential in US market
The emergence of plug-in solar power offers a way for renters and apartment dwellers to cut their utility bills with solar energy. The technology allows for easy installation by amateurs and can be plugged into existing outlets. While regulations around plug-in solar are not clearly defined in many places, the market is growing, with Europe serving as a model for the US. Kits are available for purchase, with prices reflecting a mature and active market. The section also discusses the challenges and solutions encountered during the installation of DIY solar panels, highlighting the potential for cost-effective solutions in the solar energy market.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/30/diy-plug-in-solar-shows-0-65-w-potential-in-us-market/