solar modules

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin for Materials and Energy have developed a carborane-based electron transport material that raises perovskite cell efficiency by up to 2.4 percentage points, addressing a longstanding stability weakness in the process.

A leading figure in European materials research for renewables, Prof Dr Ilija Nasov has spent decades shaping solar technology. He shares his personal route through EU research programmes with PV Europe.

US start-up Source Energy and the German research institute Fraunhofer ISE have developed shingled-matrix silicon modules for satellites, aiming for under five dollars per watt and six-month delivery, cheaper and faster than standard III-V cells.

Solitek shows new rugged solar modules. Valentin adds 3D building models for planning with a mouse click. A robust firefighter switch for PV systems, and Solar-Planit's new start page and project management round off this week's picks.

Baywa r.e. Solar Trade has overhauled the start page of its web-based PV planning tool, adding Kanban boards, custom project statuses and expanded management features for specialist contractors.

Now available in fire-red sheet steel, the FWS-PV firefighter switch gives arriving crews a clearly marked control point to shut down a live PV installation without delay.

A new interface enables PV*Sol premium to import LiDAR-based 3D models of German buildings automatically, pulling in every structure within a 100 metre radius of the target location.

On a steep Swiss mountainside, elevated steel frames must keep panels clear of snow and carry them through decades of wind and UV – a job Solitek's Alpine modules are built for.

The module giant's 2026 Shanghai launch stacked eight innovations spanning cells, modules, hardware and software, lifting standard module output above 690 watts, and possibly the whole sector past its ruinous price war.

CEO Talk: The utility business in Europe is growing and increasingly challenging. Solar fields now come with large batteries, and suppliers must meet standards for grid compliance, safety and security. How is the business changing and what strategy will ultimately succeed? Leon Zhang, President of LONGi Europe, shares his view.

Having worked with Belgium's Innoptus Solar Team at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, LONGi adds the Netherlands' Delft Solar Team for the American Solar Challenge, running from 25 July to 1 August.

Professor Martin Green of the University of New South Wales is a leading figure in solar research, holding numerous patents and efficiency records dating back to 1974. Now Chief Scientific Officer at Euronergy, he is focused on developing glass-free, lightweight modules that are exceptionally thin and easy to install.

The two companies have signed an MoU covering BIPV deployment at DHL sites in Europe, joint solar-plus-storage development and expanded logistics support for LONGi's growing battery storage portfolio.

Certified by ESTI in July 2026, the result is the latest in a rapid sequence of gains from LONGi's Central Research Institute, which has added more than 1.5 percentage points since mid-2024.

PV Guided Tours: With 690 W and an efficiency of 25.6%, AIKO Energy once again sets new benchmarks with its fourth-generation modules. In the video, we explore the technical details and outline future developments.

The Fraunhofer ISE team in Freiburg has developed a technique using structured coatings and cutouts to create detailed, durable patterns on modules, opening new scope for architecture and design in PV.

PV Guided Tours: Lightweight modules that offer a solution for load-restricted roofs. Or special technologies that enable durable and flexible solar modules without glass. Is this magic? Let’s find out.

The EU wants to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing through legislation allowing member states to link project funding to non-price criteria such as carbon footprint. A new DIW Berlin study warns that the resulting patchwork of national rules is driving up costs and weakening European competitiveness.

Sun.store data show solar module prices climbing across the European market in May, with the PV Purchasing Managers' Index jumping to 70 – its strongest reading since the start of the year.

The back-contact specialist has met five or more of the ten benchmarks in energy research firm Wood Mackenzie's global 2026 manufacturer assessment, qualifying for Grade A classification.

Featuring a patented shingle matrix developed at Fraunhofer ISE, the Apollon 2.0 delivers 450 to 460 W with enhanced shade tolerance and a 30-year warranty, developed, manufactured and tested entirely in Germany.

Solar Fabrik launches its first coloured module for heritage roofs, Valentin Software updates PV-Sol Premium and GeoT-Sol, Intilion unveils a modular large-scale storage platform, and Longi introduces a fire-resistant rooftop module.

Aimed at warehouses, data centres and logistics sites, the Hi-Mo X10 focuses on meeting fire safety requirements in rooftop PV installations.

PV Guided Tours: AIKO introduces the third generation of its INFINITE series, with clear advantages and significant improvements over its predecessor. Also debuting is a brand-new PV module that promises to revolutionise plant management through AI-assisted diagnostics, real-time monitoring and smart commissioning. Sound too good to be true? Watch the video to find out!

The Mono S4 Halfcut Chroma Orange is Solar Fabrik's first coloured solar module, with a red-brown finish modelled on RAL 8004 for traditional red tiled roofs and heritage-protected buildings.