Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy (ISE) has set a new world record for PV module efficiency. Scientists at the institute achieved 41.4% efficiency for a solar module using both tandem cell and high-concentration PV technology.

Zinc battery specialist NantEnergy has acquired the U.S. energy systems and services business from Japanese electronics giant Sharp. The acquisition, according to NantEnergy will provide the company an important foothold in the U.S. market, and allow it to provide ‘energy as a service’ business models, using its Zinc-air battery, in multiple markets.

Revenue for the polysilicon maker’s solar materials segment fell almost 70% on the previous quarter, and the company reports its Moses Lake, Washington facility is running at only 25% capacity.

Researchers and Berkeley Lab have discovered a shade of blue – dating back to ancient Egypt – which has impressive qualities they say could reduce building energy consumption and boost solar energy output. Meanwhile, NREL has developed a perovskite cell material that could be applied to a substrate using a paintbrush.

The polysilicon maker has been a casualty of the trade war between the United States and China. Following layoffs, the company expects its plant in Washington to run at only 25% capacity until the trade war is resolved.

The latest reports from analysts at PV InfoLink and EnergyTrend show prices continuing to fall, though at a slower rate than was immediately seen after China’s 31/5 announcements. High efficiency mono-PERC modules fell to around $0.32/W, while multicrystalline module prices held steady at between $0.26 and $0.29/W.

Alta Devices has launched a new gallium-arsenide based solar cell, which it says improves on the power to weight ratio of its previous cell by 160%. The cell is designed to provide lightweight, high efficiency generation for integration with cars, drones and other vehicles.

A team of researchers the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has discovered a method of coating particles with organic dye, which can capture near infrared light, a breakthrough which could greatly boost solar cell efficiency by capturing a larger section of the light spectrum.

Microlink Devices has achieved a record efficiency of 37.75% on its triple junction thin film cells, as confirmed by NREL. The lightweight cell achieves a power density of more than 3000 W/kg, and is designed for use in satellites and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).

The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a new software package, developed alongside SunPower and kWh Analytics, which it says will improve the accuracy and reliability of PV plant performance data, and improve the industry’s understanding of degradation.