ConFlow's iLamps are innovative streetlamp units equipped with solar panels, batteries, and a processing chip to create a virtual power plant network. The company plans to deploy half a million units in countries like Nigeria, the UK, and the US, offering AI power, communication, and data processing services. Local authorities pay for the compute-per-hour and power provided by the iLamps, generating revenue for ConFlow and offering benefits like carbon credits. Additionally, the lamps offer various intelligence services based on user requirements, such as weather data and sports performance analysis. Fitzpatrick's project involving iLamps with cameras and panic buttons adds a surveillance aspect to the service, which he defends as governments show interest in purchasing.
Author: Pv Magazine
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View article, Scientists achieve 27% efficiency in a co-deposited inverted perovskite, Scientists in China have developed a new technique to prevent self-assembled molecules from clumping together and degrading co-deposited inverted perovskite cells. The approach enabled the highest certified power conversion efficiency reported for the architecture.
Researchers from China have developed a novel approach to improve the performance of co-deposited inverted perovskite solar cells by addressing the issue of self-aggregation of self-assembled molecules (SAMs). They designed an asymmetric SAM, PhBr-4PACz, to suppress aggregation and promote SAM accumulation at the bottom interface, enhancing adhesion and coverage. Additionally, they introduced a grain-boundary crosslinking additive, AVIMCl, to improve device stability by suppressing SAM diffusion. The research resulted in a certified power conversion efficiency of 27.03% in co-deposited inverted devices, the highest reported for this architecture to date. The approach also demonstrated versatility by achieving high efficiencies on different substrates and device architectures. Chen and his team are working on a co-deposition strategy to improve the efficiency of solar modules by suppressing SAM diffusion and optimizing crosslinking, with plans to scale this strategy to large-area modules and adapt it to industrial coating techniques. Collaboration with scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shandong Normal University contributed to the study, aiming to increase open-circuit voltage and reduce recombination losses through further optimization of the SAM and crosslinker.
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Tandem PV announces 30.4% efficient perovskite/silicon demonstration module
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.
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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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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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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.