Climate Change Solutions Update

Author: Pv Magazine

  • 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/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/04/02/unsw-study-finds-tracker-based-pv-systems-experience-higher-uv-degradation-than-fixed-tilt-arrays/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/31/space-based-solar-startup-terraspark-to-join-spacex-and-dcubed-on-solar-array-demo-mission/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/30/pushing-perovskite-solar-cells-to-the-ultimate-thickness-limit/

  • 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.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/30/adani-green-commissions-951-mw-solar-hybrid-capacity-in-india/

  • Tongwei moves into hybrid heterojunction back contact solar cell technology

    Tongwei has partnered with GS-Solar and Golden Solar to establish a large-scale manufacturing facility for hybrid heterojunction back-contact (HBC) solar cells, focusing on technology development, manufacturing, and process optimization. The hybrid HBC technology aims to achieve high efficiency at lower production costs, streamlining processing. This collaboration could expedite the shift from laboratory-scale research to industrial production, broadening Tongwei's solar technology offerings. GS-Solar, positioning itself as a technology and equipment provider for hybrid HBC commercialization, has engaged in similar partnerships previously.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/30/tongwei-moves-into-hybrid-heterojunction-back-contact-solar-cell-technology/

  • 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/

  • Industry 4.0 technologies raise cyber risks for smart renewables grids

    An international research team has developed a novel AI-enhanced intrusion detection system (MSIDS) to detect and mitigate cyber threats in smart renewable energy grids. The system outperforms traditional intrusion detection models by achieving high accuracy, precision, and recall rates, while maintaining a low false positive rate. It utilizes supervised and unsupervised learning for threat detection, addressing known and unknown attacks, and features a multi-layer architecture with automated feature extraction and decision fusion. MSIDS's ability to provide low-latency detection allows for swift response to potential threats, ensuring uninterrupted energy distribution and enhancing decentralized security within the grid when deployed on edge computing nodes and smart meters.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/27/industry-4-0-technologies-raise-cyber-risks-for-smart-renewable-energy-grids/

  • UK’s first community-owned solar battery seeks investors

    Low Carbon Hub is seeking investors for a 12 MWh battery energy storage system to be added to the Ray Valley Solar project in the UK, making it the first community-owned co-located battery in the country. The developer has raised over GBP 10 million in community investment and is now looking for GBP 500,000 to fund the battery. Shares in the project are available for purchase starting at GBP 100, providing an opportunity for individuals to invest in a sustainable energy solution that will contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the UK.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/27/uks-first-community-owned-solar-battery-seeks-investors/

  • Solar sheep grazing delivers margins up to 40% in new study

    Agrivoltaic sheep grazing models in Ontario have been found to outperform traditional farming, offering higher margins and dual revenue streams from livestock and solar site services. The co-location of sheep grazing and solar PV arrays, known as agrivoltaics, provides a robust solution to the tightening profit margins of modern agriculture. Research by Western University indicates that these integrated business models offer a hedge against market volatility, with performance metrics consistently exceeding the broader agricultural industry's average EBITDA margin. The study explores two operational strategies – a year-round "Breeding Model" and a seasonal "Auction Model" – both of which show high financial stability and return on investment. The dual-revenue nature of the business, vegetation management fees from solar asset owners, and the technical superiority of sheep for vegetation control under solar panels contribute to the economic and environmental benefits of agrivoltaic systems. This approach could also help address trade imbalances in the meat industry, boost the rural economy by $170 million, create specialized agricultural jobs, enhance local food security, and preserve farmland while ensuring the financial resilience of family farms in the long term.

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/26/solar-sheep-grazing-delivers-margins-up-to-40-in-new-study/