First Solar to open its fifth U.S. factory, adding 3.7 GW of annual production
The company’s share price jumped 15% following its Q3 earnings call, which included the announcement of a factory that is expected to produce over 8 million finished solar panels per year at full capacity.
Cadmium telluride vs. crystalline silicon in agrivoltaics
Canadian researchers investigated how the transparency of cadmium telluride and crystalline silicon solar panels affects lettuce growth in agrivoltaic systems. They found that 69%–transparent silicon panels increased lettuce yield by 3.6%, whereas cadmium telluride panels led to a reduction in yield.
Experts weigh in on solar recycling, repowering and public policy
A panel at RE+ Northeast 2025 considered many of the tough questions centered around solar end of use.
U.S.-made First Solar modules available through new partnership
Distributor Guided Path Solar offers First Solar modules made in Ohio facilities. The modules contain 100% domestic content and are expected to qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act’s domestic content bonus.
China adds export restrictions for minerals used in thin-film solar
Restriction on cadmium telluride exports is expected to increase costs for U.S.-based thin-film solar manufacturer First Solar.
U.S. startup develops 28%-efficient perovskite-silicon tandem solar module
PeroNova specializes in metal halide perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells made with its novel stability-enhancing interfacial treatment. It is targeting a range of applications including space and rooftop markets.
First Solar commissions 1.3 million square-foot R&D facility
The Jim Nolan Center for Solar Innovation in Lake Township, Ohio includes a high-tech pilot manufacturing line allowing for the production of full-sized prototypes of thin film and tandem PV modules.
U.S. manufacturer Toledo Solar closes business
The Ohio based thin-film solar module producer was sued last year by First Solar, alleged that Toledo Solar sold Malaysian-made First Solar modules under the Toledo name.
Tandem solar cell based on cadmium telluride, iron disilicide promises 43.9% efficiency
Researchers in Bangladesh have designed a dual-junction tandem solar cell with a bottom device based on iron disilicide (FeSi2), an emerging absorber material know for its high thermal stability and good optoelectronic properties. Their simulation showed the advantage of combining the larger bandgap of the top cadmium telluride cell and the smaller bandgap of the bottom FeSi2 cell.
Cadmium telluride solar cell based on indium gallium oxide emitter achieves 17.2%
Developed by the University of Toledo, the cell achieved the highest efficiency ever reported for flexible cadmium telluride solar cells to date. The device reached an open-circuit voltage of 861 mV, a short-circuit density of 27.8 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 71.7%.
