IEA lowers 2025-30 forecast for solar growth
The International Energy Agency (IEA) cut its 2025–30 renewables forecast by 5%, citing lower solar additions, though PV still represents nearly 80% of 4.6 TW expected growth.
Freight costs steady after early September spike
Freight costs, which contribute towards the total cost of a solar installation, have fallen week-on-week on trade lines out of the Far East, helping to offset a price surge in the US-bound short-term market recorded at the start of September.
Astrobotic, Honda developing vertical solar, storage solution for lunar missions
Pittsburgh-based aerospace company Astrobotic and Honda’s North American subsidiary are working on integrating Astrobotic’s vertical solar array technology with Honda’s regenerative fuel cell system to develop a power and storage solution capable of supporting prolonged exploration of the moon.
IEA-PVPS warns soiling costs solar industry billions per year
The International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) says dust, pollution, and debris on solar panels reduce output by 4% to 7% worldwide, costing the industry billions of euros annually and making tailored mitigation increasingly urgent.
Tiny pinholes can lead to device failure in perovskite solar cells
Researchers in the United States have found microscopic pinholes in perovskites are responsible for the breakdown of such solar cells when under reverse bias conditions. They say the findings should push scientists and engineers to prioritize the production of pinhole-free films to make perovskites more robust and stable.
Scientists boost organic solar cell efficiency using polymer zwitterions
A research team based in China and the United States has developed electroactive polymer zwitterions to modify zinc oxide interlayers in organic solar cells. Their work was found to passivate defects in organic solar cells, helping to improve device performance and stability.
Canada set to surpass 2024 solar growth with rise in behind-the-meter PV
Canada is on track to deploy more solar in 2025 than it did in 2024, according to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA), with behind-the-meter installations having a particularly active year to date.
Nextracker acquires Origami Solar for $53 million
Nextracker has acquired U.S. steel solar frame maker Origami Solar for $53 million, expanding into panel frame production to accelerate installations, support local supply chains and improve system durability.
Canada backs 32 MW Indigenous-owned solar project
Canada is investing CAD 33 million ($23.8 million) in a 32 MW solar project to be built by George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan.
Researchers use solar to turn human waste into fertilizer
Stanford University researchers have built a photovoltaic-thermal electrochemical stripping system that extracts fertilizer nutrients from human urine. They say the system could provide a cost-effective alternative in regions with limited access to conventional fertilizers.
