Solar Now

India’s top solar energy-generating state of Rajasthan has clean energy projects of capacity amounting to ​about 60 gigawatt (GW) awaiting transmission links as planners struggle ‌to keep pace with a rapid build-out, a regulatory filing showed.
The problem underscores a critical challenge for India in its effort to nearly double its ​non-fossil based power generation to 500 GW by 2030 ​as the systems carry electricity to other states from ⁠renewable‑rich regions such as Rajasthan.
Planner the Central Transmission Utility of India ​Ltd (CTUIL), told the national power regulator it had been unable to ​provide a transmission system for about 60 GW of projects.
The western desert state has 179 GW of renewable energy potential, with more than 85% of ​projects clustered in its four districts of Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer ​and Jodhpur, the April 10 filing showed.
Applications for grid connectivity totalling about 130 ‌GW ⁠have been received in Rajasthan, while transmission systems for only about 73 GW have been planned or are being set up, it added.
“CTUIL is facing challenges and difficulties in identification of corresponding transmission ​system for 60 ​GW applications,” ⁠the planner said.
The issue was highlighted after electricity regulators told Saurya Urja Company of Rajasthan Ltd, which ​is developing a 400-megawatt solar park in Bikaner, ​it ⁠could withdraw its connectivity application and recover bank guarantees if needed.
The ruling by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) came in response to challenges ⁠in ​planning transmission the company faced.
The regulator also ​asked the transmission planner to advise project applicants about the transmission delays, allowing them ​to withdraw connectivity applications.
Also read: Ola Electric Stock Cracks 8% Today: Is the 60% April Rally a Giant Trap?

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Home → Science → Chemistry
Researchers are turning toxic, centuries-old ammunition into highly efficient and cheap solar panels.
Hundreds of years ago, lead musket balls tore across European battlefields, littering the ground with toxic materials. Today, a team of scientists in Germany has scavenged a pile of this deeply tarnished, centuries-old ammunition off eBay to forge a radically different technology. They melted down the munitions and transformed them into precursor materials for solar panels.
Manufacturers require massive amounts of extremely pure lead to build perovskite solar cells, a cheap and powerful class of energy devices. Mining for new lead ravages the environment and exposes workers to toxins. By successfully harvesting clean power from degraded scrap (not just old spent bullets), researchers offer a viable, closed-loop path to scale up green grids while cleaning up historical environmental sins.
What were once spent weapons of war have now found a second life within renewable technology.
Silicon dominates the global solar market, but perovskite crystals are rapidly gaining ground. Manufacturers can print these adaptable structures onto flexible plastics, printing them directly onto lightweight fabrics.
The secret to their performance lies in a highly adaptable molecular shape. “You can mix and match atoms and molecules into the structure,” Tonio Buonassisi, director of MIT’s Photovoltaics Research Laboratory, told MIT News in 2022. “Perovskites are highly tunable, like a build-your-own-adventure type of crystal structure.”
While scientists can construct these crystal structures using a variety of elements, lead remains the undisputed champion. So far, lead-free alternatives have generally not matched the efficiencies achieved by lead-based perovskites.
Yet, relying on a toxic heavy metal creates a severe dilemma for green energy. “Perovskite solar cells rely on high-purity lead iodide,” physicist and study co-author Ian Marius Peters wrote on LinkedIn. “But lead is both toxic and resource-intensive to mine and refine.”
To find a cleaner path forward, researchers at the Jülich Research Centre sought out the most challenging raw material available. The musket fragments were tainted with carbon residue, thick layers of surface oxidation, and centuries of dirt. The scientists reasoned that extracting high-purity lead from such a contaminated source would prove they could recycle almost any modern lead waste.
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The team designed a two-step salvage operation that aims to reduce the severe environmental costs of traditional recycling. Standard industrial methods dissolve lead in nitric acid, generating massive amounts of contaminated wastewater.
Instead, the researchers melted the antique musket balls with the help of electrical contacts. They submerged these metal rods into a liquid bath containing a chemical solvent and dissolved iodine. By running an electrical current through the liquid, they oxidized the metal and stripped away impurities. This approach produced a bright yellow powder called lead iodide with 94% efficiency.
Even after the electrical bath, the raw powder still carried tiny, lingering traces of its past life—minuscule flecks of copper, silver, and zinc. Modern solar panels, however, demand flawless ingredients. To achieve that extreme purity, the scientists dissolved the powder into a liquid and slowly cranked up the heat. As the temperature rose, the pure molecules naturally snapped together to form high-purity crystals. As these crystals grew, they physically squeezed out the unwanted metallic hitchhikers, leaving behind only the pristine material needed to capture sunlight.
The final product reached a purity level of 99.999%, an industry standard known as “five nines”.
The ultimate test arrived when the team used the recycled material to fabricate functioning perovskite solar cells. Devices constructed from the ancient weapons converted roughly 21% of the sunlight they received into electricity.
This performance level is statistically indistinguishable from control cells built entirely from pristine, commercial lead. Hitting the 21% mark with heavily contaminated waste proves the industrial viability of the technique.
The authors argue that heavy industry abandons up to 40% of all lead waste. Electronic waste alone dumps millions of tons of the metal into the environment annually. The research team envisions a future where this toxic refuse never reaches a landfill.
“Millions of tons of lead already exist in waste streams that remain underutilized,” Peters added. “This work shows that toxic legacy waste can become a resource for clean energy.”
The study was published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.

Aerospace engineer with a passion for biology, paleontology, and physics.
© 2007-2025 ZME Science – Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.
© 2007-2025 ZME Science – Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

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Vikram Solar’s milestone of 10 GW cumulative deployments is equivalent to powering over 5 million Indian homes, highlights its growing global footprint and commitment to high-performance solar solutions.
April 13, 2026. By News Bureau
Vikram Solar, a solar PV module manufacturing company, has crossed 10 GW in cumulative global solar module deployments, marking a defining milestone in its growth journey and reinforcing its expanding role in powering the global clean energy transition.
To put this milestone into perspective, Vikram Solar’s 10 GW, equivalent to over 25 million solar modules deployed globally, is enough to power over 5 million Indian homes. The company has doubled its cumulative deployments from 5 GW to 10 GW in just two years, reflecting strong demand momentum and a robust growth trajectory built over the past two decades.
India’s solar sector has witnessed remarkable expansion over the years, growing at record speed and has now successfully crossed the 150 GW capacity mark. Vikram Solar has played a pivotal role in this transformation, leveraging nearly two decades of manufacturing excellence and execution expertise to deliver high-performance solar solutions at scale.
While a majority of deployments are in India, Vikram Solar has steadily expanded its global footprint, with approximately 1.5 GW of exports contributing to its presence across 39 countries. The achievement places the company among a select group of global manufacturers, with a footprint extending well beyond India, and highlights its growing role in shaping the clean energy transition.
This milestone is further reinforced by Vikram Solar’s legacy of innovation and industry leadership. From delivering the world’s first fully solarised airport in Kochi to commissioning early floating solar installations in India, the company has been at the forefront of technology adoption. Its early inclusion in the BloombergNEF Tier 1 list, continued recognition in the KIWA PVEL module reliability scorecard over multiple years, and the EcoVadis ‘Platinum’ rating collectively reflect a strong commitment to quality, reliability and sustainability. The company has also been among the first in India to introduce next-generation module 
Gyanesh Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director, Vikram Solar, said, “Crossing the 10 GW deployment milestone is not just a moment of pride for Vikram Solar, but also a reflection of how rapidly solar energy is reshaping the global energy landscape. At Vikram Solar, our focus remains on advancing high-efficiency technologies, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and deepening backward integration as we enter the next chapter of our growth. This will enable us to contribute meaningfully to the scale, resilience and reliability the global energy transition demands.”technologies such as half-cut cells, reinforcing its focus on performance and efficiency.
Vikram Solar has built 9.5 GW of module manufacturing capacity across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with a 5 GW facility in Vallam, Tamil Nadu, that stands out for its advanced automation and next-generation manufacturing systems. As part of its backward integration strategy, the Gangaikondan site will scale up to include 6 GW of modules and 12 GW of cell capacity. The company is also expanding into energy storage through VSL Powerhive, with a planned 5 GWh BESS facility by FY27, alongside VION, its lithium battery brand for residential and mobility backup solutions.

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India’s green push gains pace, Rajasthan’s 60 GW clean energy pipeline tests grid capacity  Firstpost
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Once hailed as the engines of India’s renewable transition, power distribution companies (DISCOMs) now risk undermining the very projects they are meant to off-take.  
According to a report published by Indian energy think tank Prayas, DISCOMs bear accumulated losses of INR7.08 trillion (US$763 billion), growing at 8% annually. 
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The pressures on DISCOMs are primarily attributed to rising working capital liabilities, weak power procurement planning and pricing, delayed regulatory decisions and inadequate tariff revisions, alongside persistent lags in revenue recovery and subsidy disbursements. While efforts to reduce DISCOMs’ financial distress offer some optimism, they remain insufficient to offset the sector’s structural financial pressures. 
With more than 43GW of auctioned capacity, across renewables, stalled and financing costs elevated, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) analysts warn that India risks missing its 500GW renewable energy target by 2030 without structural reforms. 
Speaking to PV Tech Premium, Saurabh Trivedi, lead specialist, sustainable finance & carbon markets, and Charith Konda, energy specialist, say counterparty risk remains the primary driver of financing costs in Indian solar, delaying power purchase agreement (PPA) signings. 
“DISCOMs are the major buyers of utility-scale power (including solar) in India, procuring electricity from developers through long-term PPAs and distributing it to end consumers,” Trivedi explains.  
“Their financial health directly determines whether solar projects get financed and built, because lenders assess whether the off-taker can honour the 25-year payment obligation. When DISCOMs carry accumulated losses and routinely delay payments by six months or more, that uncertainty increases financing costs.” 
Financially strained DISCOMs are weighing heavily on solar deployment, particularly at the procurement stage. Trivedi notes that around 43GW of already-auctioned renewable capacity remains without signed power sale agreements, as DISCOMs, burdened with INR7.4 trillion in debt, resist new long-term commitments. 
Even when contracts are signed, lenders remain wary due to high total outstanding costs and volatile payment cycles. “DISCOM counterparty risk adds an estimated 100-107 basis points (BP) to solar debt costs,” Trivedi says. 
In 2022, India’s Ministry of Power introduced Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) rules to curb mounting dues, reducing legacy arrears from INR1.39 trillion to around INR33 billion by early 2026. However, analysts say payment discipline still falls short of investment-grade standards. 
Furthermore, analysts emphasise that operational challenges are compounding financial stress. Curtailment is emerging as a key risk, with energy think tank Ember reporting 2.3TWh of solar generation curtailed in the second half of 2025, as DISCOMs struggled to absorb daytime output while inflexible coal generation continued to set the grid floor. 
“Procurement delays, elevated financing costs and curtailment compound each other in ways that could seriously undermine India’s ability to scale from 275GW of installed renewable capacity to its 500GW target by 2030,” Trivedi says. 
Trivedi highlights the deeper structural drivers behind DISCOM distress, including retail tariffs being held below the actual cost of supply; metering and billing inefficiencies; and subsidised agricultural supply being rarely reimbursed in full by state governments. 
The cumulative effect of these challenges has resulted in a significant debt, which directly impacts solar developers. “For solar developers, this can mean PPAs take longer to get signed or are stalled entirely; payments arrive late once projects are running. In more serious cases, it can mean pressure to renegotiate tariffs after contracts are already signed,” says Trivedi. 
Recently, several states have moved to renegotiate existing solar PPAs, a trend that began in Andhra Pradesh in 2019 and has since extended to Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. The push is largely driven by the mismatch between legacy tariffs of INR7-10/kWh and significantly lower current market rates of INR2-3/kWh. 
He notes that while debt restructuring can provide temporary relief, the gap between costs and revenues will persist without reforms to tariff and subsidy policies. 
DISCOM unreliability, driven by late payments and tariff uncertainties, directly translates into higher financing costs for solar projects.  
“Payment delays don’t just create cash flow pressure — they typically lead lenders to require larger debt service reserve accounts or letter of credit facilities. Projects associated with more financially stressed DISCOMs often need payment security reserves of 10-20% of total capex to reach investment-grade ratings,” Trivedi explains. 
Developers also face higher costs, with state-level counterparty risk pushing solar bid prices around 10% above centrally procured rates, reflecting upfront risk pricing. 
Central intermediaries such as Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) and state-owned power company NTPC have helped, but their model has limitations. According to Trivedi, “Some recent PPAs include back-to-back clauses that link central agency payment obligations to what DISCOMs fulfil — a structure that rating agencies have flagged as a consideration in counterparty analysis.” 
With much of the auctioned capacity still awaiting PPA signings, expanding this intermediation model to achieve India’s wider renewable targets remains uncertain. 
The Government of India launched the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) in 2015 under the Ministry of Power to restore the financial health of DISCOMs by transferring debt to state governments and improving operational efficiencies. Although the scheme is no longer active, its impact was largely temporary. Meanwhile, the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), introduced in 2021 and currently in force, builds on this by linking financial support to performance-based reforms such as loss reduction, smart metering and improved billing efficiency. 
Trivedi notes, “UDAY provided temporary relief by transferring DISCOM debt to state governments but imposed no operational reforms. The underlying revenue gap — driven by suppressed tariffs and unreimbursed agricultural subsidies — reconstituted itself, and overdue payments returned to pre-scheme levels within a few years.” 
“RDSS took a more structured approach, tying disbursements to measurable benchmarks. This led to AT&C losses and the cost-revenue gap falling to a record low, and DISCOMs posting a collective profit for the first time. But implementation has lagged significantly — smart meter installations remain a fraction of the target, physical loss-reduction works are well behind schedule, and the scheme now requires extension beyond its original deadline.” 
However, according to Trivedi, as long as state governments keep retail tariffs low and fail to fully reimburse agricultural subsidies, DISCOMs cannot achieve true cost recovery, regardless of operational reforms. 
Energy specialists highlight short- and long-term fixes. Konda says government initiatives can improve DISCOM operations, but lasting reform requires more renewables, including solar-plus-storage, and greater grid efficiency. 
“A major advantage of renewables, such as solar and wind, is that their input costs are near zero and do not carry the risk of fluctuating input fuel costs. Also, renewables are less susceptible to supply chain risks once projects are operational. The capital costs of renewables are already lower than those of other forms of power generation, and their variable costs are fixed for about 25 years. Increasing the share of renewables will reduce power supply risks and keep costs lower in the long term,” Konda explains. 
Furthermore, solar can ease DISCOM finances by aligning generation with agricultural demand for power, which is otherwise burdened by subsidies.  
“Solarisation of feeders helps balance agricultural demand, especially during daytime irrigation loads. Further, distributed generation reduces stress on transmission infrastructure and enhances local grid reliability,” highlights Konda. 
“Decentralised agri-solar applications will reduce transmission and distribution losses by locating generation closer to consumption points and improve farm incomes through lower diesel consumption and enhanced income-earning potential from power sales to the grid.” 
Also, solar-plus-storage deployment is a part of the solution. Standalone storage bid tariffs in India reduced by 71% during 2022–2025. According to Konda, declining battery costs and demand for firm clean power will provide DISCOMs with a cost-effective way to meet evening peak demand. 
Additionally, grid operations and better planning are critical in reducing AT&C losses. 
“Efficient grid management will lower curtailment risks and build confidence among solar developers. In addition, transmission system planning should be proactive and efficient to ease offtake bottlenecks. With coordinated planning between the centre and the states regarding resource adequacy, power scheduling, and transmission and distribution infrastructure buildout will improve the functioning of the overall power system,” Konda notes. 
Furthermore, smart grid operations and increased deployment of energy storage will help raise the share of renewables while maintaining grid stability. Implementing sophisticated forecasting and scheduling frameworks will increase the absorption of variable renewable energy.  
“Renewables are less dependent on global supply chains and hence offer better financial sustainability during the lifetime of the projects,” Konda reiterates. 
DISCOM health remains key to moving India’s stalled solar auctions toward the 500GW target. As Trivedi and Konda stress, achieving this will require coordinated policy, operational reform and grid innovation — without reliable off-takers, India’s renewable ambitions face persistent uncertainty.

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Genex Technocrats LLP Recognised with Technology of the Year – AI-Based Solar Monitoring Award at India Solar Week 2026  SolarQuarter
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Australian mining giant Fortescue is fast tracking the delivery of what it says is the world’s first fully integrated green energy grid designed to completely eliminate diesel and other fossil fuels from large-scale industry.
Image: Fortescue
Fortescue is accelerating development of a large-scale off-grid renewable energy network as it races to eliminate fossil fuels, particularly diesel, from its iron ore mining and processing operations in Western Australia’s Pilbara region by as early as next year.
The company said the “islanded” system will operate as a fully standalone, high-voltage renewable network, combining utility-scale solar and wind generation with multi-gigawatt battery energy storage and transmission lines, providing continuous dispatchable power to support its mining operations and associated infrastructure.
“Unlike other large renewable hubs, which feed intermittently into national or other power systems, Fortescue’s off-grid system will be the largest of its kind dedicated to decarbonising major industry, around the clock,” the company said.
Fortescue expects to complete 290 MW of installed renewable capacity by early next year, enabling daytime “green processing” across its Pilbara ore facilities. Later in 2027, it aims to operate all of its Pilbara operations for continuous 24-hour periods without fossil fuels.
Full completion of the renewable energy grid is targeted for 2028, well ahead of Fortescue’s previously announced Real Zero plans, targeting December 2030.
At full scale, the Pilbara green grid is expected to include 1.2 GW of solar capacity, more than 600 MW of wind generation and 4 GWh to 5 GWh of battery energy storage.
Fortescue, the world’s fourth-biggest iron ore producer, said the $3.56 billion (USD 2.5 billion) project is intended to shield the miner from cost pressures and supply disruptions in global energy markets.
“As global energy supply chains become increasingly unstable and the massive risks of fossil fuel dependence are exposed, Fortescue is moving faster, proving industry can power itself with green energy, control its costs, and take back control of its largest risk – energy,” the company said.
Fortescue said it expects to save about $142 million in fossil fuel costs by next year, noting that “eliminating fossil fuels is not only achievable, but economically superior.”
“This deployment shows that a fully integrated renewable energy system can be built at speed and scale, delivering immediate benefits in cost, certainty and energy security,” the company said.
Fortescue said in addition to delivering the Pilbara project, it will look to replicate and commercialise the model globally, offering it via licensing or “energy as a service” arrangements.
The company said its proprietary AI-driven optimisation systems and in-house technologies will support scalability, with early-stage discussions underway with potential international partners.
“Fortescue has improved the speed of deployment of renewables, lowering the capital intensity, improving operating cost profile and making it highly competitive with traditional fossil fuel-based generation systems,” it said. “This represents a breakthrough in terms of delivering firmed energy generation in speed to market, capital costs and operating costs.”
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Projects “blocked” by the Region are restarting: 10,000 solar panels are looming over Noragugume.  L’Unione Sarda.it
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April 13, 2026e-Paper
The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective.
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April 13, 2026e-Paper
Published – April 13, 2026 09:08 pm IST – THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Researchers at the Kerala University have developed a new blueprint for the next-generation solar power by replacing toxic lead in perovskite solar cells for a mixture of tin and rare earth metals. The team has designed a solar cell that is not only environmentally “green”, but is also highly efficient.
While solar energy is a cornerstone of clean power, the most efficient perovskite solar cells currently used in labs often contain lead, which poses environmental risks if the panels are damaged. The new study, published in peer-reviewed journal ACS Applied Engineering Materials, is expected to provide a realistic pathway to eliminate the toxicity without sacrificing performance.
Published – April 13, 2026 09:08 pm IST
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Science World is undergoing a major energy overhaul that is reshaping the landmark for a low‑carbon future. In partnership with BC Hydro, the non-profit is undergoing a $39‑million retrofit designed to reduce the building’s energy use by more than 40 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by about 75 per cent.
Science World’s retrofit includes three solar arrays – the first-of-its kind vertical installation system in B.C. These 76 panels, in addition to the 298 solar photovoltaic panels, have been added to the roof and will start generating energy before summer. Additionally, aging fixtures are being swapped with LED lighting, new air‑source heat pumps and electric chillers are replacing older heating and cooling systems, and the windows and insulation are also being upgraded to improve efficiency.
“Science World has long been a symbol of innovation in B.C., and now it’s becoming a model for how existing buildings can be transformed for a clean energy future,” said Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix. “These upgrades will reduce emissions, lower energy and operating costs, and showcase what’s possible when we invest in energy efficiency.”
Inside the dome, a new digital display will track solar power generation, building energy use, and – once installed – how battery storage systems are charging and discharging.
“It’s an exciting time for Science World – and for the province as a whole,” said Tracy Redies, president and CEO of Science World. “With these new upgrades, we’re signalling to our community that we’re invested in building a greener future and that Science World will be here for many more years to come. Together with BC Hydro, we’re showcasing the role of clean energy in a growing British Columbia and inviting visitors to learn more about green technology.”
Some of the most complex work is happening now, as crews install five inches of insulation inside the dome – a massive undertaking that requires specialized scaffolding and a temporary closure of the 400‑seat theatre. Other upgrades, like the LED lighting installed in 2022, have already delivered big results. Despite triple the number of lights, the dome now uses less energy than before.
 
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MNRE, India’s renewable energy ministry, has issued the sixth revision of ALMM List-II for PV cells, adding two manufacturers and recording one capacity addition in the annexure. Reliance Industries Limited, Gujarat, has been added with 1238 MWs per year of HJT solar cell capacity, while its entry also lists 25.40% average efficiency, model HJNxx, and validity up to 12.04.2030. Jupiter Solartech Private Limited, Himachal Pradesh, has been added with 991 MWs per year of Mono PERC bifacial cell capacity, with 23.70% average efficiency and 7.94 W average wattage. Websol Energy System Limited, West Bengal, has received a capacity addition taking its listed capacity to 1202 MWs per year, while its entry shows 23.55% average efficiency and 7.77 W average wattage. The revision further states that revised enlisted capacity must be treated from the date of revision and not added cumulatively to earlier listed capacity.

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One-year solar farm moratorium passes Alabama Senate but still likely not to become law  AL.com
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Now
73°
Mon
79°
Tue
80°
by Darwin Singleton

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (NBC 15) —

It began with a protest and a prayer Residents of the Stockton community, along with some Baldwin County officials and candidates for office lined the street Wednesday night in front of Bay Minette City Hall. They were there to make known their displeasure about a proposed solar farm planed for thousands of acres in their community… one that many said they had little or no advanced warning before the plan was approved through the state's public service commission.
The protest came just an hour before a public hearing by Silicon Ranch, the company planning to build the farm.
It was a hearing many of these protesters approached with suspicion and doubt.
"We've got a lot of people on board but there's a lot of people that don't even know this is happening," said protester Jay Gunn, who operates an inshore charter fishing company. "And we're looking at, basically 10 thousand acres in north-north Baldwin County that's gonna be taken out of public or recreational use in perpetuity."
"People are more curious. Everyone I've talked to has said they look forward to learning more about the project, and we're excited to share. It's a great story for Baldwin County."
That's Silicon Ranch's founder and CEO, Reagan Farr, who knew he had a touch selling job before him Wednesday evening, a challenge he's faced before.
"I think there's some misinformation out there that we can correct."
Farr says one of the reasons they went to the state public service commission about the deal before many in the public knew about it is because the state required them to do so.
"The only thing that was different than what we generally do is because Alabama Power had to being something to the public service commission. That public service commission meeting, it was required for us to actually have a contract with Alabama Power, and we wanted to have a contract, so we knew there was a project, and then we were going to engage in our community outreach in a large format like this."
It's a procedure that protestor Jeff Ramsey, a candidate for Alabama Public Service Commissioner says ought to be changed.
"If that is the case, if that is the scenario, then the PSC should change that, because if anybody is trying to do business within Alabama, they should ask the Alabama people before they go to businesses and say this or say that or whatever, to see what the public interest is first."
Taking the public's temperature was exactly what Silicon Ranch's intent was as the meeting got underway. The audience listened patiently as the CEO shared pictures and videos from other company projects, using livestock instead of herbicides to keep down unwanted vegetation, touting their methods as a way to improve the soil and habitat for natural wildlife as well.
"We have been on a journey of turning our entire land portfolio into regenerative land management," Farr told the audience. "And that has meant that a power company, Silicon Ranch, we now own the largest flock of sheep in the southeast, we are a member of the National Land Improvement Program."
Did the night's presentation sway the doubters in the Stockton community? That answer to that question can probably be found over the next few days online, were most of the opposition and organization against the solar farm project has been cultivated.

2026 Sinclair, Inc.

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Peak Energy Korea Starts Power Supply From 1.19 MW Youngjin SP Rooftop Solar Plant After Successful Completion  SolarQuarter
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“Exposure is happening all the time.”
Photo Credit: iStock
A striking new report has revealed that we may not merely be living through a “microplastic storm” — we may be born into it, with exposure beginning far earlier than many might imagine.
Research from the Plastic Soup Foundation and The Flotilla Foundation highlighted how everyday items may be quietly exposing people to tiny plastic particles.
Reflecting findings from more than 350 peer-reviewed studies, the report tracked microplastics release across five key areas of life: outdoor sources, indoor environments, children’s products, health care and personal care, and food and drink.
Among the most concerning sources identified were hospital equipment, baby bottles, children’s toys, and household paint.
An alarming finding showed that premature babies receiving IV nutrition could be exposed to up to 115 microplastic particles within just 72 hours.
“Exposure is happening all the time, not only from products we recognize, but from systems and processes that most people would never consider,” report author Heather Leslie told Euronews.
Researchers have found that microplastics may accumulate in various parts of the human body and could be linked to various health concerns, including inflammation, cellular damage, cancers, and cardiovascular issues. The full extent of potential risks remains under study.
The report also noted that microplastics may be carried in rain, originating from sources like car tires, synthetic textiles, and clothing.
In other words, personal exposure may extend far beyond individual habits, having become embedded in the environment itself.
“This is not just about waste or environmental pollution, it is about the materials that manufacturers have built into our world, and the particles they continuously release into the spaces we live in,” Leslie told Euronews.
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Understanding where and how exposure occurs could help guide safer product design, stronger regulations, and further research into long-term health impacts.
“When plastic stops being the answer to almost every design question — from teabags to towels to toys and beyond — humanity can end up successfully abating the microplastic storm,” Leslie said.
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Is solar sheep farm project good for Alabama or is Baldwin Co. being fleeced?  AL.com
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According to Ministry of New and Renewable Energy data, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation inputs, and Samta Power, Rajasthan led India’s solar expansion with nearly 27% share by FY 2025–26. National solar capacity reached 150,260 MW, with Gujarat ranking second at about 20%. Together, Rajasthan and Gujarat accounted for nearly 47% of India’s total solar capacity. However, Rajasthan faced transmission constraints, leaving 1,500–2,000 MW of solar power unused daily. Registrations for new solar projects in the state increased to about 40,000 MW. Around 3,000 MW of additional solar capacity is expected to be commissioned in the next six months. Officials said new transmission infrastructure and battery storage remain critical to avoid capacity losses.

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Swedish retailer continued to advertise partnership with Soly and failed to offer me any advice
I am one of many left thousands of pounds out of pocket after signing up for solar panels via Ikea’s website late last year.
Ikea had partnered with the European installer Soly, and the fact the panels were being advertised via such a well-known company gave us confidence.
In February I emailed Soly to check when the installation would start and received an out-of-office notification. My next email, in March, bounced back. Phone numbers no longer worked either, though the website was still up and running.
That’s when I found out that the European operation had gone bust. The partnership was still being advertised on the Ikea website, and Ikea agents assured me that Soly’s UK division was still operational.
I checked the Companies House register and found that the UK arm had entered liquidation in January this year. Ikea has since quietly removed Soly but offered no advice to customers who paid deposits for installations.
I’ve contacted Ikea in-store and online several times for help but received no reply. I had to find out the details of the administrator via Companies House and am told the chance of reclaiming my £3,000 deposit are very slim.
ZR, Dalkeith
Ikea’s silence is a disgrace given the fanfare with which it launched its solar partnership last September.
Customers were encouraged to invest in a “better future life at home” in “five easy steps” by applying for a free quote via the Ikea website. Your paperwork boasted that, as an Ikea customer, you enjoyed “Ikea pricing”.
Within a month or so of the launch, Soly’s European business had gone bust. Its UK arm followed in January, but neither company informed customers.
In December last year, Soly was bought by the energy company Otovo, but the deal did not include liabilities, warranties or unfulfilled installations.
I asked Ikea why it had not notified customers on its website about Soly going bust and their options . It ducked the question, and stated that it was not party to Soly contracts, although it was to have received commissions for each successful referral had Soly not collapsed before it could pay.
It told me (but not its customers) to contact HIES, a consumer protection organisation covering the installation of renewable energy and home energy efficiency products, for advice.
Your plight exposes the vulnerability of customers whose solar panel provider ceases to trade before installation has begun.
Those with completed projects can claim through the “insurance-backed guarantee” if the installer was signed up to a contractor scheme such as HIES.
HIES also offers deposit protection insurance, but only if your contract was registered with the scheme. It appears that yours was not, and HIES has not responded to my requests for information.
Soly’s administrators, S&W Group, told me that customers should register a claim with them, but that the chance of a refund is uncertain.
Unfortunately, you paid the deposit by bank transfer, so I’m afraid you are probably unlikely to see your money again. If you had used a credit card, you could have claimed from your card issuer, which is held jointly liable under the Consumer Credit Act.
We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions.

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“It’s very alarming.”
Photo Credit: iStock
Utility companies around the country are grappling with the new emergence of AI data centers. The facilities, which are required to further Big Tech’s AI boom, are famously energy- and water-intensive, driving up Americans’ utility bills.
Now, utilities are in the crosshairs for allowing the massive growth of data centers to wreck states’ clean energy goals.
NextEra Energy, the world’s largest electric utility, made waves in 2022 with its plan to fully eliminate carbon pollution from its operations by the year 2045. 
But the company, which provides electricity services to residents in at least a dozen states, has fully given up on this goal almost two decades before the deadline, according to the Associated Press.
NextEra’s failure to commit to its goal is unfortunately not a unique situation among utility companies, many of which have required additional gas-powered infrastructure to support the new data centers.
These highly polluting facilities will make major pollution reduction goals incredibly difficult to achieve.
In North Carolina, lawmakers eased requirements for utility companies to lower their pollution levels as AI data centers popped up across the state. 
Similarly, in Nevada, the state’s largest utility, NV Energy, announced that it will likely need to use highly polluting fuels to support a trove of newly proposed data centers.
In response to NV Energy’s announcement that it will require triple the amount of energy that Las Vegas uses to satisfy the state’s proposed AI data centers, advocates are speaking up.
Olivia Tanager, who serves as director of the Toiyabe chapter of the Sierra Club, told the AP that “it’s very alarming, and it’s probably the single largest natural resource issue of our time.” 
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One member of the Nevada legislature, Howard Watts, added that “building more gas plants seems like going in the exact opposite direction of what we need to do as a state.” 
The Data Center Coalition, an industry group, opposes this framing and claims that these facilities can actually help produce more clean energy. Dan Diorio, who serves as the Data Center Coalition’s VP of state policy, claimed that his industry actually helped procure 50% of all American corporate clean energy for the year 2024.
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Construction on the 31MW project in England kicked off in December 2023, and marks the company’s first solar PV project online.
March 30, 2026
Utility and power firm SSE has put its Littleton Solar Farm in Worcestershire into full operation, the company's first solar PV project. 
Construction on the 31MW project in England kicked off in December 2023, covered by Solar Power Portal at the time (although reported as starting in August). 
Grupotec was the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project. 
The Littleton Solar Farm incorporated a wide range of measures across its 77 acre site to protect and enhance local biodiversity, SSE said. This includes maintaining existing hedgerows, planting new trees and hedgerows with locally sourced species, and establishing wildflower margins to support pollinators. 
The UK looks set to deploy 5.5-6GWh of grid-scale solar in 2026, according to our colleagues at Solar Media Market Research. 
SSE acquired the Littleton project in early 2022, following its Net Zero Acceleration Programme, launched the previous year, which outlined a £12.5 billion investment plan. The company is also active in deploying other clean energy technologies, including wind, battery storage and green hydrogen, and is active abroad including in Polish solar. 
Related:Two consecutive records broken as GB solar generation hits 14.4GW
Just last week, SSE commissioned a 300MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project in West Yorkshire. 
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If a bill introduced in the Legislature passes this session, a small solar array would be a mere plug in away for Minnesotans.
The legislation would establish regulations for installation and operation of plug-in solar devices. Also known as balcony solar, homeowners or renters could place units outside near an outlet as a way to harness solar energy and cut down on surging electricity bills. 
The idea is to “democratize” solar, making renewable energy more accessible, said Sen. Rob Kupec, DFL-Moorhead, the bill’s author in the Senate.
More: Minnesota’s graduation rate reaches a record high
“Solar is expensive,” he said of rooftop arrays. “This is a much more low-cost option for people to get in on and save a little money on their electric bill.” 
Utah became the first state to approve plug-in solar regulations in 2025, passing them unanimously on a bipartisan basis. Minnesota is one of dozens of other states considering similar laws.
Rep. Larry Kraft, DFL-St. Louis Park, first introduced the bill in the House. At a House Energy Finance and Policy Committee hearing in February, he estimated plug-in solar can reduce energy usage in a residence by 5% to 25%. 
More: After tough headlines, Paynesville takes steps to attract developers
“We’re talking about savings of between $35 and $55 per month,” he said. “The thing that’s exciting about this is there are dramatically lower up-front costs.”
Rooftop solar arrays can cost tens of thousands of dollars, while plug-in devices have dollar ranges in the high hundreds to low thousands. Both systems are designed to have users come out ahead on energy savings over time.  
The latter option is also attainable to people who don’t have a roof suitable for solar panels and renters who don’t own their roof. Kupec described his home as having three peaks on the roof, difficult architecture to lay an array. But at ground level he knows a south-facing wall would be a sunny spot for a panel.
The bill sets a maximum output for units at 1,200 watts, which advocates say is similar to common household appliances.
“It’s about the same wattage as your household blender and usually less than your household hairdryer,” said Patty O’Keefe, Midwest regional director at Vote Solar. “So we’re not talking about a lot of wattage here.”
As currently written, the legislation lays out a mostly plug-and-play, or do-it-yourself, process for using the devices without the need for a utility’s approval or an electrician’s installation. Someone could buy a solar device that meets the standards, plug it in, and be good to go by law, a similar approach to what is apparently all the rage in Germany.
A recent addition to Kupec’s bill adds one possible step. A utility could require users to notify them about the usage, more as a courtesy than a request for permission.
As other states pursued plug-in solar legislation, utilities tried to zap it. In Georgia, for example, utilities raised safety concerns related to installation and operation of the systems. 
The argument there was if solar units are generating electricity during an outage, line workers could be in danger. The bill in Minnesota seeks to address this by requiring devices to meet standards that would cut them off from the grid with a switch if an outage occurs.
Utilities in Georgia also opposed exempting plug-in solar from requirements imposed on larger solar units, like those found on roofs. Rooftop solar users in Minnesota need to enter into an interconnection agreement requiring utility approval before using the arrays. One reason for this is these types of arrays may generate more energy than the home needs, with the surplus flowing out into the larger grid.
Plug-in solar units aren’t designed to act in the same way, said Will Mulhern, director of clean electricity at Fresh Energy, a group advocating for the legislation. They provide a portion of power to a home rather than producing it in excess of what a home needs. 
Minnesota’s bills are also likely to encounter lawmaker opposition, as displayed in committee hearings. House Republicans brought up how many solar arrays are built in China, and how people could take advantage of the law by plugging multiple solar panels into the same outlet. 
Sen. Jason Rarick, R-Pine City, speaking at the Senate’s Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee on Tuesday, raised concerns about the standards set in the bill.
Rarick, an electrician by trade, brought a copy of the National Electric Code book to the hearing. While the bill requires plug-in units to meet certifications established by Underwriters Laboratories, a testing lab recognized by federal regulators, Rarick said that shouldn’t be the final say on compliance.
“In order to meet code, they must meet some type of standard, like a UL listing or equivalent, but that in and of itself does not make it code compliant,” he said, adding that the legislation is going out ahead of its skis by not going through the NEC. 
Underwriters Laboratories recently put out “UL 3700” standards for plug-in solar devices, which serve as a guide for manufacturers to build products meeting specifications for safe use. This should be enough to establish the safety of the units once they hit the market, said John Goeke, a Duluth electrician whose business, Star Power Electric, specializes in solar units. 
“As long as people are buying UL equipment and staying under the 1,200-watt limit, I’m in favor of the plug-it-in approach,” he said.
Following Tuesday’s hearing, Kupec checked with the Minnesota Department of Labor on the standard requirements for plug-in solar units. He said the agency confirmed that there is no need to alter electric code to allow these devices if they meet UL standards.
He’d like to see the bill make it out of energy committees and go to a floor vote or be included in an omnibus bill this session. He’s feeling optimistic about it, a sentiment echoed by advocates who testified at the Capitol. 
Bipartisan support for plug-in solar in other states will hopefully carry over into Minnesota, O’Keefe said. 
“I have been a clean energy advocate for 14 years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much organic excitement about a solar solution,” she said. “It’s something that people can visualize and understand and wrap their mind around.” 
As an electrician who helps people tap into the benefits of solar panels, Goeke said he wants legislators to see the light.
“I want people to experience that,” he said. “I’m excited for that. This technology really works, and it feels like magic, but it’s just physics.”
The MinnPost is a nonprofit newsroom.

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Green Energy Stocks Defy Market Fall As Sensex Drops Nearly 1% On April 13, 2026  SolarQuarter
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Sigenergy has entered the European utility-scale photovoltaic systems market. Together with Arausol, a German-based PV specialist, and the European distributor Memodo, it is developing Germany’s largest PV plant with decentralised storage systems that operate on direct current (DC)
The project, located in Weissach im Tal, is currently under construction and will include an installed peak PV capacity of 11.6MWp and a battery capacity of 20MWh. This capacity will be distributed across 1,660 Sigenergy battery modules, each with 12kWh capacity, installed in stackable SigenStacks and deployable in a decentralised manner.
Installing SigenStacks on the Arausol mounting structure, similar to PV module racks, requires no complicated cabling, cranes, or other heavy equipment. The solution helps to avoid soil sealing, which is common in projects involving large central batteries housed in containers.
Compared with AC-coupled systems, it eliminates the need for multiple conversions between DC and AC. Instead, excess photovoltaic DC power is fed to the batteries and converted to AC by the inverters when it is time to feed power to the grid. DC coupling increases the overall system’s efficiency by at least 4% and can eliminate the need for duplicate inverter infrastructure.
The DC mode also enables Arausol to increase the PV system's output, further enhancing the project's economic viability.
In comparison, AC-coupled systems have technical limitations. As a result, consistent use of DC coupling in large-scale PV projects would enable a smaller-scale expansion of the power grid required for Germany's energy transition, helping to keep costs low for customers. 
Sigenergy is also supplying Arausol with other electrical components, including medium-voltage transformer stations with pre-installed low-voltage connections. Memodo ensures reliable procurement through its delivery capability and market knowledge, whereas Arausol is responsible for construction and project management, as well as for providing substructures from its own facilities. Connection to the grid is scheduled for July 2026.
Emanuel Spahrkäs, senior account manager at Sigenergy, said, "This project sends a clear message: DC coupling enables utility-scale energy systems to be built faster, smarter, more efficiently, and in a more environmentally friendly way. By combining Sigenergy's unique DC-coupled solution with a decentralised battery architecture and Arausol's easy-to-install mounting system, we achieve faster commissioning, higher performance, and lower operating costs."
Jaime Arau, CEO and founder of Arausol, said, "As a leading systems integrator and project developer for photovoltaic systems, we are committed to implementing the latest technology. Thanks to its innovative DC coupling, Sigenergy is an ideal partner for realising this goal."
Memodo worked closely with the customer to define the system architecture and position Sigenergy as a suitable partner.
Jonas Hollweg, head of Sales at Memod, said, "Our strength lies in actively bringing innovations to the market and supporting projects across the entire value chain. The project underlines the potential of close and strategic cooperation between manufacturers, project developers and distributors in delivering advanced energy solutions."

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Mexico’s solar energy sector continues to experience steady growth, driving demand for more efficient technologies tailored to evolving market needs.
Against this backdrop, Growatt has confirmed its participation in RE+ Mexico 2026, one of the country’s most prominent renewable energy industry events.
The exhibition will take place from 14 to 16 April at Expo Guadalajara, where the company will unveil its updated portfolio of solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications. These offerings incorporate next-generation technologies designed to enhance solar PV system performance, optimise energy management and improve project profitability.
Growatt’s presence at RE+ Mexico also aims to strengthen relationships with clients, distributors and strategic partners, while providing a platform to share market trends, technological advancements and new opportunities within Mexico’s solar sector.
The company will be present at Booth N30, where its sales, product and technical support teams will offer specialised guidance and respond to technical enquiries throughout the three-day event.
Through its participation, Growatt continues to consolidate its footprint in Mexico and reinforce its role as a key player in the energy transition towards a more sustainable model.
by Strategic Energy Keep reading
The deal includes 17 onshore wind farms generating around 750 GWh annually, boosting Galp’s renewable capacity to 2 GW and increasing wind’s share in its energy mix.
by Strategic Energy Keep reading
Energía Estratégica and Future Energy Summit outline key signals for Argentina’s power sector, including PPAs, storage tenders and transmission expansion plans.
by Strategic Energy Keep reading
The European Union has designated 235 cross-border energy projects for accelerated permitting and funding access, prioritizing power grids, offshore wind, green hydrogen, and CO₂ transport to strengthen integration and decarbonization.
by Strategic Energy Keep reading
The deal includes 17 onshore wind farms generating around 750 GWh annually, boosting Galp’s renewable capacity to 2 GW and increasing wind’s share in its energy mix.
by Strategic Energy Keep reading
Energía Estratégica and Future Energy Summit outline key signals for Argentina’s power sector, including PPAs, storage tenders and transmission expansion plans.
by Strategic Energy Keep reading
The European Union has designated 235 cross-border energy projects for accelerated permitting and funding access, prioritizing power grids, offshore wind, green hydrogen, and CO₂ transport to strengthen integration and decarbonization.
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‘There are better places for it’: Residents concerned over Hamburg solar project  wivb.com
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Credits: File, representative image, The Pulse internal edition
Solar panels are benefiting the world in more ways than we expected.
The green energy transition has been gaining major traction over the last few years as the world comes to accept that the energy industry needs to change. But how can a solar plant encourage endangered species to thrive around it, especially as the panels influence the temperature of the surrounding area?
What has led to some endangered species living beneath solar panel arrays?
The overwhelming realization that our own progress as a society is irretrievably damaging our only home in the universe has been startling, to say the least.
To date, over 190 countries have agreed to a plan that will protect 30% of the planet’s land and oceans over the next three years in multiple programs. Many have pointed to this being the “tipping point” to avert a mass extinction event in the not-too-distant future.
Protecting the Earth is paramount to our own future as a species, but developing carbon capture technology is exceedingly expensive.
The climate crisis can be somewhat averted by simply protecting the world’s oceans and forests, as they act like massive sinks that absorb the vast majority of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.
There can be no denying the astonishing impact that our progression as a society has had on the planet.
The civilization we have built requires vast amounts of energy for daily life. But over the last century or so, energy generation has ravaged the natural resources of the planet, leading to a new era of climate disasters that are becoming an all too common factor of modern-day life.
We know that new energy production methods are mostly spared by the recent weather-related events that have enveloped parts of the world.
But even the undisputed king of the renewable energy sector, solar power, has had to face the fury of Mother Nature in recent times. Solar panels now have more than just snow and rain to concern themselves with.
As we enter a new era of clean energy generation led by the renewable energy subsector, the impact of our collective decision is surfacing.
Parts of the world have turned to the untapped and often overlooked power of the wind energy sector. But even that can be brought to a complete standstill if Mother Nature chooses so.
However, everything is not all doom and gloom, as the Wildlands Network has recently shown us.
With the climate crisis becoming the issue of our time, some states that have built a reputation for oil production have now turned to solar power.
The Texas-based Impact Solar project is one such development. Located in Lamar County in North Texas, it was one of the first major solar installations in the iconic region of the nation.
The plant’s management has found that several endangered species are not only living nearby, but are actually thriving directly underneath the solar panel array.
The camouflaged Texas Horned Lizard, as well as the ancient Alligator Snapping Turtle, have been monitored as they set up camp underneath the solar plant’s thousands of panels. This proves that through strategic design and habitat management, we can develop a perpetual balance with nature.
Solar panels have been found to create near-perfect conditions for some species to not only survive, but thrive.
What will the next unforeseen benefit from our green energy transition be as more and more nations and states opt to turn to solar power?
© 2026 by Ecoportal
© 2026 by Ecoportal

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Cork Airport said today it plans to build the country’s largest solar-powered carport, in conjunction with Waterford-based Greenvolt Next, by summer of 2027.
A solar carport is a dual-purpose structure, where a canopy is being constructed and fitted with a roof of photovoltaic (PV) panels.
The solar carport will provide shelter for parked cars in the airport’s Holiday Blue car park while also generating up to 20% of Cork airport’s electricity needs into the future.
The project is expected to be completed in August 2027 and is being grant supported by the Department of Transport and Department of Climate, Environment and Energy.
Cork Airport saw its busiest year ever for passenger traffic last year, with a total of 3.46 million passengers. It was also named as Europe’s Best Regional Airport by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe.
The new carport, which is being constructed over the existing Holiday Blue car park, shall be rolled out in two phases – the first of which will start in early summer, with the second stage planned for October. Once completed in late summer 2027, it is envisaged that the 3,696 solar panels and five inverters will generate 1.5 GWh of renewable energy each year for the airport.
Cork Airport said the works on the construction of the new solar carport will be followed by an extension to the existing Holiday Blue Car Park, with 669 more long-term car parking spaces.
Niall MacCarthy, Managing Director of Cork Airport, said the airport acknowledged the support of daa Group, the Department of Transport and the Department of Climate, Environment and Energy for making this “exciting” project happen.
“We will meet our 2030 energy reduction targets and we are proud to confirm that,” he added.
Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland, said the company’s aim is to make renewable energy easy, and this solar carport does exactly that by enabling Cork Airport to be more resourceful, have more control, and use more reliable infrastructure.
“It will also deliver tangible benefits from both a financial and environmental perspective. We look forward to working with Cork Airport to both creating the largest solar carport in Ireland and future-proofing the aviation sector,” he added.
© RTÉ 2026. RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland’s National Public Service Media. RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Images Courtesy of Getty Images.

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Below you’ll find the latest features highlighting the upcoming events here on the Isle of Wight.
If you would like to promote an event to OnTheWight readers, find out more.
Our Travel section is the place to check for fast and accurate travel updates from all the ferry companies, bus, train and hovercraft operator.
In this section, we’ll also let you know about road closures and diversions.
Below are articles relating to Isle of Wight travel.
Solar Options for Schools has submitted a planning application to the Isle of Wight Council seeking prior approval to install a large solar photovoltaic array on the roof of Christ the King College in Newport.
The company proposes fitting around 634 panels across the flat roof of the main school building on Wellington Road, generating approximately 290 kilowatts peak (kWp) of renewable electricity.
Prior approval required
Although the installation falls within permitted development rules under Part 14, Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, the capacity significantly exceeds the 50kWp threshold that triggers the need for prior approval from the Local Planning Authority.
How the panels would sit
The panels would rest on ballasted frames mounted on protective padding to shield the existing roof membrane, tilted at an angle of just 10 degrees.
At that angle, the panels would sit less than 0.3 metres above the roof surface – well within the one-metre maximum height permitted under planning rules.

The layout keeps all panels at least one metre back from the roof edges, as required for non-residential buildings under permitted development criteria.
Visibility and neighbouring properties
The applicant argues that the height of the building, combined with the low profile and southward-facing orientation of the panels, means they would not be visible from ground level.

On that basis, the application claims the installation would have no impact on the amenity of the surrounding area or on neighbours to the school.
School’s decarbonisation ambitions
The application states that the proposed 290kWp installation would support the school’s ambition to maximise on-site zero-carbon electricity generation as part of a wider decarbonisation strategy.
The school building sits outside any Conservation Area, National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or World Heritage Site, removing a number of potential planning obstacles.
What happens next
The Isle of Wight Council’s planning department will now consider whether to grant prior approval, focusing on the design and external appearance of the installation and the potential for glare or glint affecting neighbouring properties.
You can view the application on the council’s planning’s register (26/00435/14JPA)
The public consultation runs until 11th May and a decision is due by 26th May 2026.



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A Chinese-US research group claims to have achieved a power conversion efficiency of over 50% in an n-type single-junction solar cell by inhibiting light conversion to heat at extremely low temperatures. The result was achieved at temperatures of 30-50 Kelvin, which are a few tens of degrees above absolute zero.
Image: Zhigang Li, Bingqing Wei
From pv magazine Global
Researchers from the University of Delaware in the United States and Taizhou University in China claim to have achieved a record power conversion efficiency of “50%–60%” in a silicon solar cell by inhibiting the lattice atoms’ thermal oscillations at extremely low temperatures.
“For our experiment, we used pieces of commercial PV cells,” the research’s lead author, Bingqing Wei, told pv magazine. “We had to put the 4 mm x 8 mm cells inside a low-temperature chamber that is not big enough to hold an entire cell.”
If confirmed, this result may be the “first experimental breach” of the upper theoretical limit of energy absorption efficiency for silicon solar cells, called the Shockley-Queisser limit, which is about 33.7%.
“So far, we have confirmed the results internally,” Wei went on to say. “The testing was conducted at extremely low temperatures, which prevented us from finding a third party who could do the experiments and certify the results.”
The scientists explained that the record efficiency was achieved at very low temperatures of 30–50 Kelvin (K), which are a few tens of degrees above absolute zero. They also noted that, below 150 K, conventional solar cells collapse as energy carriers become trapped.
“When the temperature is less than 150–200 K, the efficiency will decrease with decreasing temperature due to the effects linked to carriers. The hypothesis that increasing efficiency by cooling no longer applies at low temperatures appears to challenge the law of thermodynamics,” they also stressed, noting that this freeze-out effect can result in a strong short-circuit current reduction and a nearly zero efficiency at extremely low temperatures.
“The traditional theory may face challenges when applied to solar cells operated at extremely low temperatures,” they added.
Below 150 K, free charge carriers in solar cells collapse, but photocarriers remain unaffected by the freeze-out effect and could survive even at zero K if photons are available. The photocarrier density of the bottom cell layer is determined by the light intensity reaching it, which means the freeze-out effect can be overcome by enhancing light penetration depth and decreasing the cell thickness.
Their strategy consisted of enhancing the light penetration depth to effectively mitigate carrier freeze-out while reducing thermal losses, which reportedly expanded the operational temperature range of silicon cells to 10 K. They used homochromatic lasers with different photon energies to increase carrier mobility through temperature regulation.
Under standard illumination conditions and at a temperature of 30 K, the cell reached an efficiency of around 51%, which the scientists said doubled the 27.3% world-record efficiency achieved at room temperature by Chinese manufacturer Longi for a heterojunction back contact (BC) solar cell and is around 20% higher than the S-Q limit at the same temperatures.
The experimental results were presented in the study “Surpassing Shockley–Queisser Efficiency Limit in Photovoltaic Cells,” published in Nano-Mirco Letters. “This work rewrites the low-temperature PV playbook, turning the once-dreaded freeze-out regime into an ultra-efficiency window—pointing toward over 50% single-junction devices for extreme-environment energy harvesting.”
Looking forward, the research group intends to develop 4 cm² “flight-style” cells that could be used for space applications and to qualify for NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services.
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CT News Junkie
Connecticut News from your locally owned & operated news source at the state Capitol since 2005.
Prospect and Winchester are the latest Connecticut municipalities to be approved for automated traffic enforcement cameras by the state. 
They join 11 other municipalities approved so far: Beacon Falls, Fairfield, Greenwich, Marlborough, Middletown, Milford, New Haven, Stratford, Stamford, Wethersfield and Washington. 
Hamden, Hartford, and West Hartford have also submitted plans that are awaiting approval. 
Prospect’s plan includes three separate locations for speed cameras on main thoroughfares: On Route 69 south of Oak Lane, Route 69 north of Talmadge Hill Road and Route 68, also known as Cheshire Road, west of Matthew Street. 
The town, which is just south of Waterbury, has about 10,000 residents and reported four fatal accidents between 2016-2018 in its application. The three specific locations were selected due to ongoing safety concerns, officials said.
Winchester’s plan includes two speed cameras: One is planned for Main Street, also known as Route 44, by Route 183. The second one is planned for Norfolk Road, also Route 44, east of Dam Road. They will go along with the town’s Vision Zero plan, which hopes to eliminate fatal and serious injury accidents by 2034. 
The town, which includes the city of Winsted, has a population of just over 10,000 residents. Officials said in the plan that the municipality handles a high-volume of traffic, often at very high speeds, based on recent traffic studies. 
Speed cameras, once installed and activated, take a picture of an offending vehicle’s license plate that is going 10 or more mph over the posted speed limit. This image will be reviewed by a law enforcement official. If applicable, a fine will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner, with a first offense costing $50 and subsequent offenses $75. Most municipalities will also charge a $15 administrative fee to process the fines.   
For the first 30 days after cameras are activated, only written warnings are sent out before fines will start being issued.
A municipality looking to submit a plan to the state DOT for automatic traffic devices must first hold a public hearing, and the plan must show how the devices could help improve traffic safety. 
The roadway safety law passed in 2023 provides 60 days for submitted plans to be reviewed by the DOT and then approved or rejected. If a plan is rejected, the DOT will provide specific justifications and guidelines on how to resubmit. 
Once a plan is approved, it is good for three years. Municipalities can reapply once the three years are up, the DOT said.
Viktoria Sundqvist is a veteran Connecticut journalist, a CTSPJ board member, and a former newsroom data analyst. She also runs the CT Missing People & Cold Cases Substack. Sign up here!
















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Researchers in Austria discovered a wasp nest inside the junction box of a 1998 rooftop PV module, illustrating how insects can exploit even sealed electrical components. The affected module showed significant degradation and partial failure, though overall results confirmed the surprising durability of older PV module designs.
Image: Gernot Oreski
Wasps are known to build nests in a wide variety of sheltered, dry, and protected environments. Common nesting sites include outdoor locations such as under roof eaves and overhangs, in attics or loft spaces, inside wall cavities accessed through small gaps or vents, as well as in sheds, garages, or storage boxes.
They may also establish nests inside bird boxes, hollow trees, beneath decking or patio structures, or within dense bushes and hedges. In addition to natural and semi-natural settings, wasps frequently occupy man-made structures, including spaces behind cladding or siding on buildings and ventilation openings or chimneys. They can also be found in unused machinery or vehicles, where undisturbed and enclosed conditions provide suitable nesting opportunities.
Occasionally, nests are discovered in more unusual or unexpected locations, highlighting the adaptability of wasps in exploiting a wide range of concealed spaces, including PV module junction boxes, as recently observed by Gernot Oreski, head of the Research Group Aging Behavior of Polymers at the Austrian research center Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH.
“We made the discovery in a module that was part of a rooftop system installed in Graz, Austria, in late 1998,” Oreski told pv magazine. “My former PhD supervisor at the Technical University of Leoben, Reinhold Lang, contacted me because he was interested in the condition and aging state of the modules, and I agreed to carry out the investigation.”
The frameless 100 W modules were manufactured by Shell Solar, a company that is no longer in operation, and consist of 72 polycrystalline silicon cells, EVA encapsulant, and an aluminum–Tedlar backsheet. A range of degradation features and failures was observed, predominantly backsheet discoloration and localized burn marks associated with hotspot formation. Only one module exhibited severe corrosion.
“Last week, we went to perform module characterization at 2nd Cycle, a start-up company in Austria developing an automated PV module test line,” Oreski continued. “There we can measure IV curves, electroluminescence (EL) and ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence imaging, and high-resolution images of the module in less than two minutes. For preparation, we dismantled the junction boxes of all modules and found this old wasp nest inside, along with burn marks on the casing and backsheet.”
“It is likely that the junction box remained partially operational,” Oreski went on to say. “One string of the module was probably still functioning, while the other, where the copper ribbon and contacts were completely destroyed, was no longer conducting properly and was instead operating through the bypass diode.”
The researcher believes that a similar phenomenon could be hardly observed in PV systems deployed in recent years. “I would assume it is less likely as the junction boxes got smaller and thinner, and most of them are sealed with a pottant,” he said. “I have seen spider webs and bird nests attached to modules, but never something like a wasp nest inside the junction box. On the other hand, how many people really open the junction box?”
He also observed that the copper ribbons were encapsulated in a polymer film, which was also burned. “I assume that due to moisture ingress, the copper ribbon corroded. Consequently, we could no longer contact the cells in this module, and therefore we have no power data or EL images,” he added.
The other modules tested showed between 10% and 20% power loss, with some cell breakage detected. “This is another confirmation that PV modules from that time were more robust in their design and more tolerant toward degradation effects and failure modes. Now that we have completed testing, we will proceed with destructive material-level characterization. We plan to publish the results in a paper and present them at conferences next year,” Oreski said.
 
 
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Performance comparison of an overfeed large-scale photovoltaic-thermal heat pump under different numbers of operating compressors  ScienceDirect.com
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Nature Communications volume 17, Article number: 1479 (2026) Cite this article
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Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI₃) perovskite is a leading candidate for high-efficiency solar cells, but its application is hindered by the kinetic instability of its α-phase crystallization. Here, a highly effective strategy for directing the ordered crystallization of α-FAPbI₃ in the n-i-p architecture is developed by incorporating a self-assembled molecule (SAM) into the anti-solvent, unlike conventional phosphate-based SAMs requiring polar protic solvents, the -SCN SAM are processed from non-polar, aprotic solvents compatible with perovskite surfaces. An in-situ formed, self-assembled layer acts as a dynamic template, guiding the top-down crystallization process to yield highly ordered α-phase films. Through a series of in-situ measurements, it is rigorously demonstrated that this SAM treatment suppresses undesirable intermediate phases, accelerates the δ-to-α transition, and strategically slows crystal growth, promoting highly ordered films. This meticulously designed strategy culminates in high-quality perovskite films, enabling single-junction devices with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.18% (certified at 25.67%) and mini-modules with a PCE of 21.70%. These results underscore the power of directed self-assembly in fabricating highly efficient and stable n-i-p perovskite solar cells.
Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI₃) is a leading candidate for high-efficiency solar cells due to its near-ideal bandgap and superior stability^1,2,3,4. However, its practical application is fundamentally limited by the challenge of its crystallization. The required transition from a non-photoactive δ-phase to the desired photoactive α-phase is kinetically unstable and often incomplete^5,6,7. This results in films plagued by residual δ-phase impurities and high defect densities, which ultimately compromises both device performance and operational stability, making the precise control of the δ-to-α phase transformation the critical challenge^8,9,10.
Numerous efforts have been dedicated to controlling the crystallization kinetics of FAPbI₃, aiming to achieve the desired black α-phase and enhance device performance^11,12,13. These strategies include manipulating precursor adducts^14,15, optimizing solvent^16,17,18 and anti-solvent systems^19,20, controlling intermediate phase formation^{5,21,22,23,24}, and employing various deposition techniques^25,26. However, a common limitation of these strategies, especially in the widely used one-step method coupled with anti-solvent treatment, is the difficulty in achieving precise control over the crystallization process^27,28. While anti-solvents accelerate nucleation, they can also lead to uncontrolled crystal growth. This is further exacerbated by the inherently top-down crystallization process of perovskites, where rapid solvent evaporation from the wet film surface leads to preferential nucleation at the surface, potentially resulting in non-uniformity and a higher density of defects²⁹. This top-down crystallization process, while posing challenges, also presents a unique opportunity for manipulating the perovskite film formation. Previous research has shown that top-surface modulation is more effective than traditional additive engineering in reconstructing the perovskite lattice and achieving precise control over crystal quality^30,31,32,33. By acting as a template, the modified perovskite film surface can induce epitaxial growth and promote the formation of well-crystallized, low-defect perovskite domains^34,35,36,37. Therefore, it is crucial to develop strategies that effectively leverage this top-down crystallization process to guide the formation of a highly ordered perovskite crystal structure while minimizing defects.
Self-assembled molecules (SAMs) have recently become a powerful tool in perovskite solar cell engineering, especially as hole selective layers (HSLs) in inverted (p-i-n) devices^38,39,40. As HSLs in p-i-n structures, SAMs effectively reduce interfacial recombination and enhance hole extraction by modifying work function, passivating defects, and improving interface contact^41,42,43. However, unlike their established success in p-i-n devices, the use of SAMs to direct perovskite crystallization in conventional (n-i-p) perovskite solar cells remains largely unexplored because inherent structural differences in the n-i-p architecture, particularly the position of the HSL above the perovskite layer, limit the realization of effective SAM anchoring and uniform coverage required for crystallization control.
To overcome this challenge, this work introduces a pioneering top-down strategy that leverages the incorporation of SAMs into the anti-solvent to direct the ordered crystallization of α-FAPbI₃ in the n-i-p architecture. We demonstrate that a rationally designed SAM (Synthesis route in Supplementary Fig. 1), which consists of a carbazole core, a flexible butane linker, and a terminal anchoring group, spontaneously forms an ordered, self-assembled layer on the nascent perovskite surface during film formation. This in-situ formed self-assembled layer then acts as a dynamic template, guiding the subsequent top-down crystallization process to yield highly ordered α-phase films (Fig. 1a). Employing a series of in-situ measurements, we rigorously demonstrate that the incorporated SAMs effectively suppress undesirable intermediate phases, accelerate the efficient δ-to-α phase transition, and strategically slow down crystallization, ultimately promoting highly ordered perovskite film growth. A systematic investigation comparing the -SCN group to other anchoring groups (-NH₂, -CN, -COOH) confirms that this self-assembly-driven crystallization control is unique to the -SCN variant, owing to its superior interaction with the perovskite lattice. This meticulously designed strategy culminates in high-quality, ordered perovskite films that exhibit significantly enhanced efficiency and stability, yielding a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.18% (Certified PCE = 25.67%) for single-junction devices and 21.28% for mini-modules, thus demonstrating the significant potential of SAMs in controlling perovskite crystallization within the n-i-p architecture.
a Schematic diagram of the self-assembled molecule (SAM) directed the crystallization of the perovskite film during the fabrication process. SAM (Cz-SCN) is introduced via the anti-solvent to form a templating layer on the nascent film surface that directs ordered perovskite crystallization. b Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and c Top-view SEM images. Scale bar, 1 μm. PbI₂ is marked by blue circles. d 2D Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) patterns and corresponding e 1D out-of-plane intensity plots. The incident angle was set as 0.10°. f Time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) depth profiles and g corresponding ion images of the SAM-treated perovskite film. The profiles show the distribution of characteristic ions for perovskite components (NH₄⁺, FA⁺, Pb⁺), SnO₂ (Sn⁺), and the SAM fragment (Cz⁺).
9-(4-thiocyanatobutyl)−9H-carbazole (Cz-SCN) (denoted as SAM in Figs. 1 and 2) was successfully synthesized and incorporated into the anti-solvent (optimal 10 mmol/L in Ethylacetate (EA), Supplementary Fig. 2, Supplementary Note 1) to manipulate perovskite crystallization. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images (Fig. 1b) reveal a significant difference in perovskite film morphology upon SAM treatment (w/SAM). The irregular crystals observed in the control film are replaced by monolithic grains spanning the entire film thickness, suggesting enhanced crystal growth and a reduction in grain boundaries. Top-view SEM images (Fig. 1c) and grain size distribution histograms (Supplementary Fig. 3) further confirm this enhancement, showing an increase in average grain size from 0.5 to 1.3 μm and a complete suppression of residual PbI₂ impurities in the w/SAM film. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy (AFM) images reveal a significant decrease in surface roughness for the w/SAM perovskite films, from 23.9 to 18.8 nm (Supplementary Fig. 4). Collectively, this transition to larger, phase-pure grains with fewer boundaries and a smoother surface creates a highly ordered morphology. This is crucial for superior device performance as it minimizes defect-driven recombination losses while providing unobstructed pathways for efficient charge transport and extraction^44,45. Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements performed at different incidence angles offer further insights into how SAM affects perovskite crystallization (Fig. 1d and Supplementary Fig. 5)⁴⁶. The w/SAM perovskite film exhibits a pure black α-phase with no detectable PbI₂ signals, compared to the control counterpart. Notably, the w/SAM film displays a distinct signal at q_z = 0.13 Å⁻¹ along the direction perpendicular to the substrate, corresponding to a lamellar spacing of approximately 4.5 nm (Fig. 1e and Supplementary Fig. 6). This observation suggests the presence of ordered lamellar structures within the film, potentially arising from the self-assembly of SAM molecules. Increasing the concentration of the SAM reveals additional lamellar stacking peaks at q_z = 0.13,0.35, 0.57, and 0.79 Å⁻¹ (Supplementary Fig. 7)⁴⁷. This indicates a preferential edge-on orientation of SAMs relative to the substrate, facilitating efficient vertical charge transport across the perovskite film. To further investigate the spatial distribution of the SAM within the perovskite films, we employed time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) (Fig. 1f, g). The SIMS depth profiles, acquired in positive ion mode, revealed characteristic fingerprint ions, including NH₄⁺ (m/z = 18), FA⁺ (m/z = 45), GA⁺ (m/z = 69), Sn⁺ (m/z = 120), Pb⁺ (m/z = 208), and a fragment of SAM (Cz⁺, m/z = 225, corresponding to the carbazole moiety after loss of SCN). These fingerprint ions provide direct evidence for the presence of SAM and perovskite components throughout the film. Furthermore, the cross-sectional ToF-SIMS images confirmed a uniform distribution of Cz-SCN throughout both the bulk and surface of the perovskite film²². This homogeneous distribution suggests that SAM effectively permeates the perovskite layer during film formation, potentially influencing crystallization throughout the entire film. It should be noted, however, that the apparent uniformity in ToF-SIMS depth profiles mainly reflects fragment distribution generated during sputtering, together with depth resolution limits that can smear sharp interfacial features and broaden organic signals. Consistent with this interpretation, UPS measurements show a clear increase in work function at the Cz‑SCN‑modified top surface but negligible change at the buried perovskite interface, indicating minimal SAM accumulation there (Supplementary Fig. 8). In addition, SEM analysis of the buried interface reveals improved crystallinity, which is attributed to more complete perovskite crystallization induced by SAM (Supplementary Fig. 9). Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra indicate that SAM treatment does not alter the bandgap of the perovskite films (Supplementary Fig. 10).
a, b In-situ GIWAXS patterns of control and SAM-treated perovskite films during spin-coating and annealing. Spin-coating lasted 40 s (10 s at 1000 rpm, then 30 s at 5000 rpm), with 120 μL ethyl acetate (EA) dripped as antisolvent during the final 10 s (30–40 s). Data from this interval were selected, and annealing is shown immediately afterward, starting at 40 s. c Temporal evolution of the α/δ phase intensity ratio derived from the GIWAXS data. d Density functional theory (DFT) calculation of the surface formation energy for the α-FAPbI₃ perovskite with and without the SAM. e, f In-situ photoluminescence (PL) spectra for the control and SAM-treated perovskite films and g, h corresponding magnified view of the 40–100 s annealing period. i, j In-situ Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectra for the control and SAM-treated perovskite films and k, l corresponding magnified view of the 40–100 s annealing period.
Figure 2 provides a comprehensive analysis of the perovskite crystallization process using in-situ GIWAXS, in-situ photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and in-situ UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, revealing the profound impact of the SAM on nucleation, crystal growth, and phase transformation. In-situ GIWAXS measurements (Fig. 2a, b and Supplementary Note 2) reveal distinct crystallization pathways for the control and w/SAM perovskite films. During spin-coating, after the anti-solvent dripping step, the control film exhibits signals corresponding to the hexagonal 2H (δ-phase, q_z = 0.80 Å⁻¹), hexagonal 4H polycrystal (q_z= 0.84 Å⁻¹), and 3 C (cubic) phase (q_z= 1.0 Å⁻¹), indicating a heterogeneous mixture of intermediate phases^48,49. In contrast, the w/SAM perovskite film predominantly shows the 2H phase, suggesting that SAM influences the initial perovskite nucleation, promoting a more uniform intermediate phase. During annealing, the in-situ GIWAXS data reveals two distinct stages: Stage I, representing the δ- to α-phase transition as residual solvents evaporate, and Stage II, corresponding to the growth and stabilization of the α-phase perovskite. In the control film, the δ- to α-phase transition is incomplete, with residual hexagonal 6H polytype (q_z= 0.87 Å⁻¹) persisting even after 260 s of annealing (Fig. 2a). The presence of MA₂Pb₃I₈·2DMSO during Stage I further complicates the crystallization process and hinders the complete phase transformation, as our previous report²². In contrast, the w/SAM perovskite film exhibits complete conversion to the α-phase within 35 s (Fig. 2b). Intriguingly, a strong signal appears at q_z = 0.13 Å⁻¹ during Stage II, indicative of ordered lamellar structures formed by SAMs. During the early stage of annealing, rapid solvent loss and preliminary crystallization produce a disordered grain structure. Continued thermal input drives the SAM toward an ordered arrangement that guides crystal growth. This spatiotemporal evolution, driven by thermodynamic stabilization and facilitated by molecular diffusion, explains why long-range lamellar stacking appears only after 20–30 s of annealing, as evidenced by Bragg diffraction spots in the GIWAXS pattern. These results indicate that SAM-assisted crystallization requires both thermal activation and structural relaxation before exerting its templating effect on perovskite grain growth. This observation confirms that SAM self-assembly occurs concurrently with the α-phase transition, suggesting a templating effect on crystal growth. This process likely disrupts the face-sharing octahedral structure (6H) of the δ-phase, facilitating the transition to the corner-sharing architecture (3C) of α-FAPbI₃. The formed surface crystallization of α-FAPbI₃ serves as a template, propagating the phase transition towards the bulk of the film. The time evolution of peak intensity ratios between the α-phase and δ-phase (α/δ) further highlights the impact of SAM. The steeper slope for the w/SAM film indicates a faster and higher transformation rate from δ to α-phase (Fig. 2c). Moreover, the near-linear evolution of the α/δ ratio for the w/SAM film suggests a more direct conversion pathway, whereas the staged evolution observed in the control film indicates competing transformation processes, involving both δ- to α-phase transition and the conversion of MA₂Pb₃I₈·2DMSO to the α-phase²². Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided further insights into the thermodynamics of perovskite crystallization and phase transition (Fig. 2d)⁵⁰. The presence of SAM significantly reduced the surface energy of α-phase perovskite (from 3.32 to 1.45 eV), thermodynamically driving the preferential formation of the black phase (Supplementary Fig. 11 and Supplementary Note 3).
In-situ PL measurements reveal complex nucleation and growth dynamics of the control perovskite film (Fig. 2e and Supplementary Note 4)^51,52. Upon antisolvent dripping, an intense, broad PL peak emerges at ~700 nm, attributed to Methylamine-rich (MA-rich) nanocrystal nuclei. This peak rapidly redshifts to ~735 nm within 8 s as FA-rich nuclei form and grow. The consistently large full-width at half-maximum of the emission throughout this initial stage indicates a highly polydisperse size distribution of these luminescent species. The subsequent annealing process is marked by three distinct and dramatic stages. As shown in the enlarged PL spectrum in Fig. 2g, during the initial 15 s, the PL intensity undergoes pronounced oscillations as it redshifts towards 760 nm. This heterogeneous behavior reflects a competition between PL enhancement from crystalline growth and severe quenching caused by defect generation during the disordered coalescence of nanocrystals. Second, the intensity becomes severely quenched for an extended period (~55–100 s). This prolonged PL quenching, consistent with the incomplete δ-to-α phase transformation observed in the in-situ GIWAXS data, is attributed to the presence of the photoinactive δ-phase, which quenches the α-FAPbI₃ luminescence. Finally, after 60 s annealing, a gradual PL recovery occurs as grains coarsen. However, the PL intensity does not fully recover its initial peak value due to the persistent presence of defects and grain boundaries in the fully annealed film. The crystallization dynamic of the w/SAM film presents a stark contrast, indicative of a highly ordered process (Fig. 2f, h). Upon antisolvent treatment, no MA-rich emission is observed. Instead, a single, weaker PL peak appears at ~680 nm, which can be attributed to an intermediate phase involving the SAM and perovskite precursors, consistent with our in-situ UV–vis absorption data as discussed below. During annealing, the PL emission undergoes a smooth and continuous redshift while its intensity steadily intensifies, tracking the formation and growth of α-FAPbI₃⁵³. This controlled evolution likely stems from a “slow-release” effect, where SAM molecules temporarily chelate with perovskite precursors, retarding their immediate reaction and facilitating a more orderly crystallization process. Crucially, the redshift in the w/SAM film initiates earlier (5 s) than in the control film (7 s), indicating that the SAM effectively lowers the formation energy barrier of the α-phase and accelerates the δ-to-α transformation (enlarged spectrum in Fig. 2h). Unlike the control, the w/SAM film exhibits only a single, shallow dip in PL intensity, which corresponds to the minimal non-radiative energy loss during the orderly phase transition. Subsequently, the PL intensity increases monotonically and surpasses its initial value, a direct consequence of the high-quality, defect-minimized crystal lattice formed under the guidance of the SAM monolayer.
In-situ UV-vis absorption spectroscopy (Fig. 2i, j) provides further insights into the crystallization process, particularly the role of the antisolvent in promoting nucleation. Immediately after antisolvent dripping during spin-coating, the control film exhibits several strong absorption peaks in the 410–440 nm range, attributable to various intermediate species present in the perovskite precursor solution. As the solvent evaporates and nucleation proceeds, multiple strong absorption peaks appear between 450 and 500 nm, due to the formation of multiple types of nuclei. In contrast, during the spin-coating process, the w/SAM perovskite film initially shows a single, strong absorption peak at 420 nm, corresponding to PbI₄²⁻• SAM intermediate phase. This suggests that SAM preferentially adsorbs onto the Pb-I framework, displacing iodide ions and promoting a more homogenous intermediate phase⁵⁴. As spin-coating continues, a prominent peak appears at 460 nm in the w/SAM perovskite film, assigned to the δ-phase perovskite, consistent with the formation of a single dominant type of nucleus, as also observed in the GIWAXS data. During the initial annealing stage (Stage I, Fig. 2k, l), the absorption onset of the w/SAM perovskite film redshifts earlier (5 s after annealing) compared to the control film (7 s). This faster redshift, indicating an accelerated δ-to-α phase transition, is consistent with the in-situ PL observations and is attributed to Cz-SCN reducing the energy barrier for α-phase formation. Moreover, as highlighted in Fig. 2k, l the w/SAM perovskite film exhibits a near-linear redshift from 420 to 750 nm, suggesting an ordered and gradual δ-to-α phase transformation guided by the SAM. In contrast, the control film undergoes a multi-stage redshift, indicative of a disordered phase transformation arising from the presence of multiple nuclei species. Furthermore, the delayed emergence of the long-wavelength absorption beyond 770 nm in the w/SAM perovskite film, compared to the control, suggests that SAM retards the crystallization of α-FAPbI₃ during Stage II. This slower, more controlled crystallization is conducive to the formation of high-quality perovskite films⁵⁵. We speculate that Pb²⁺-SCN coordination is the dominant driving force for α-phase stabilization and templated crystallization, while π-π stacking among carbazole backbones cooperatively sustains ordered packing and enhances the robustness of the templating effect.
To elucidate whether the successful crystallization control demonstrated by Cz-SCN is a general property of this molecular class or a specific function of this molecule, three analogous Cz-molecules (Cz-NH₂, Cz-CN, and Cz-COOH) are investigated. A comparison of the resulting films reveals a stark contrast. GIWAXS and SEM analysis show that films treated with these alternative molecules not only suffer from residual PbI₂ impurities but also completely lack the self-assembled lamellar structure unique to the Cz-SCN case (Fig.1d, Supplementary Figs. 4 and 12–14). This pivotal finding confirms that the ability to simultaneously ensure phase purity and drive self-organization is a capability exclusive to the Cz-SCN molecule. Quantitative GIWAXS analysis further demonstrates this distinction, showing that the Cz-SCN film exhibits the strongest and sharpest (100) diffraction peak together with the highest (100)/PbI₂ intensity ratio, confirming its superior ability to suppress PbI₂ formation and promote highly ordered crystallization (Supplementary Fig. 15). To understand the fundamental origin of this unique ability, a synergistic investigation is undertaken to dissect the underlying molecule-perovskite interactions. DFT calculations provide the initial theoretical analysis. By calculating the adsorption energy (E_ads) of each molecule onto a perovskite surface with an iodine vacancy, we found that Cz-SCN possesses a remarkably strong adsorption energy of −0.77 eV, substantially more favorable than its counterparts (Fig. 3a)⁵⁶. This superior energetic stabilization, rooted in the large dipole moment and highly negative electrostatic potential of the molecule, provides the robust anchoring force necessary to form an ordered template and resist impurity formation (Fig. 3b). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) further tracks changes in the chemical bonds of the anchoring groups (Fig. 3c). The S-C≡N stretching vibration in Cz-SCN undergoes a substantial blueshift of 10 cm⁻¹ upon interaction with the perovskite, indicative of a strong coordination bond. In contrast, the other groups exhibit weaker interactions, reflected by smaller blueshifts for the C≡N (3 cm⁻¹) and C=O (5 cm⁻¹) stretches, while the N-H stretch remain effectively unchanged⁵⁷. XPS analysis of the Pb 4f_5/2 peak (Fig. 3d, Supplementary Fig. 16 and Supplementary Note 5) for the Cz-molecule-treated films reveal a downshift in binding energy, indicative of a Lewis acid-base interaction with undercoordinated Pb²⁺ ions. Cz-SCN induces the largest energy shift (0.41 eV), significantly greater than the shifts from Cz-COOH (0.30 eV), Cz-CN (0.19 eV), and Cz-NH₂ (0.09 eV). To further substantiate this observation, XPS measurements of the relevant core levels (N 1s and O 1s) reveal clear binding energy shifts upon SAM introduction (Supplementary Fig. 17 and Supplementary Note 6). Among them, Cz-SCN shows the largest shift (N 1s: +0.46 eV), indicative of strong Pb²⁺-SCN coordination. The varying interaction strengths are corroborated by complementary characterizations. UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy (Supplementary Fig. 18) shows that Cz-SCN treatment most effectively suppresses the characteristic absorption of PbI₂-related species, which is visually confirmed by the bleaching of the yellow PbI₂ film to transparent (Supplementary Fig. 19). Consistently, XRD analysis (Supplementary Fig. 20) reveals that the PbI₂ diffraction peak at 12.8° disappears in films prepared from Cz-SCN/PbI₂ solutions, whereas control and other Cz-analogue samples still exhibit residual PbI₂ signals. These results collectively suggest that PbI₂ is not preserved as a separate phase but is rapidly consumed, most likely through the formation of a transient intermediate. Collectively, although the four Cz derivatives exhibit distinct aqueous pKa values (Supplementary Table 1, Supplementary Note 7), the direct influence of acidity/basicity on crystallization is limited in the non-aqueous DMF/DMSO precursor environment, where coordination strength with undercoordinated Pb²⁺ dominates.
a DFT-calculated adsorption energies (E_ads) of four Cz-molecules (Cz-NH₂, Cz-CN, Cz-COOH, Cz-SCN) on the perovskite surface with an iodine vacancy. b Calculated dipole moments and electrostatic potential (ESP) maps for the four Cz-molecules. c Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showing the vibrational shifts of the anchoring groups upon interaction with PbI₂. d X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of the Pb 4f_5/2 peak for perovskite films treated with different Cz-molecules. e In-situ PL spectra and corresponding f PL intensity evolution at 770 nm for films treated with different SAMs during thermal annealing. In all the figures, arb. units is defined as a.u.
The profound consequences of this superior, Cz-SCN-guided crystallization are evident in the optoelectronic properties and formation kinetics of the film. The Cz-SCN-treated film exhibit the lowest trap-state density (N_t) in both hole-only or electron-only devices, the values approximately 60% lower than the control and markedly superior to the other modified films (Supplementary Figs. 21 and 22, Supplementary Tables 2–3, and Supplementary Note 8). These findings on static trap states are further corroborated by an analysis of charge carrier dynamics using time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectra (Supplementary Fig. 23 and Supplementary Note 9). The Cz-SCN-based film display a substantially longer average PL lifetime (τ_ave) of 1980.9 ns, a 2.9-fold increase compared to the control film (677.4 ns) (Supplementary Table 4). The reduced trap density and extended carrier lifetime demonstrate that the Cz-SCN treatment effectively suppresses non-radiative recombination. To quantitatively probe the crystallization kinetics during thermal annealing, the temporal evolution of PL intensity at 770 nm was monitored in-situ (Fig. 3e, f). All as-deposited films initially exhibit a transient PL peak within the first 25 s of annealing, where the brief emission from nascent crystallites is rapidly quenched by defects as non-radiative recombination pathways. The subsequent recovery and rise in PL intensity directly track the growth and perfection of the emissive α-phase crystalline domains. The control, Cz-NH₂, and Cz-CN films display a slow and inefficient PL recovery to low final intensities, indicating a crystallization pathway plagued by defect formation. While Cz-COOH offers a modest improvement, the Cz-SCN film exhibits a remarkably superior kinetic evolution. It demonstrates a rapid and sustained PL recovery to a final intensity far surpassing all other samples. This steep rise and high final efficiency provide compelling dynamic evidence that the Cz-SCN-guided process most effectively suppresses non-radiative recombination during annealing, yielding a film of the highest electronic quality. Ultimately, this well-ordered, defect-minimized interface, formed by the strong Cz-SCN dipole, also establishes the most favorable energy level alignment, upshifting the perovskite valence band maximum to an optimal −5.18 eV for barrier-free hole extraction, as confirmed by Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) (Supplementary Fig. 24)⁵⁷.
N-i-p type PSCs are fabricated, employing the structure of glass/FTO/CBD-SnO₂/perovskite/Spiro-OMeTAD/Au. A comparative evaluation of devices incorporating the various Cz-molecules reveal the clear superiority of the Cz-SCN treatment (Supplementary Fig. 25 and Supplementary Table 5). While control devices yield an average PCE of 23.5 ± 0.7%, the Cz-SCN-based cells achieve a significantly higher average PCE of 25.8 ± 0.4% (Supplementary Figs. 26 and 27). The champion device featuring the Cz-SCN-modified perovskite layer deliver a remarkable PCE of 26.18%, driven by an enhanced open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 1.190 V and a high fill factor (FF) of 83.65% (Fig. 4a). This performance is confirmed by a stabilized power output (SPO) of 25.9% (Supplementary Fig. 28). A device sent for external certification achieved a PCE of 25.67%, which is among the top certified efficiencies reported for n-i-p architectures (Supplementary Fig. 29 and Supplementary Table 6). The integrated short-circuit current densities (J_SC) from IPCE measurements (Fig. 4b) of PSCs are within 5% mismatch of the J–V results. The enhanced V_OC and FF in Cz-SCN-based devices are attributed to a synergistic improvement in device physics. Mott-Schottky and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements collectively confirm that the Cz-SCN treatment enlarges the built-in potential, which both facilitates more efficient charge extraction and suppresses carrier recombination (Supplementary Figs. 30 and 31, Supplementary Tables 7–8, and Supplementary Notes 10–11)^58,59. To demonstrate the scalability of this approach, 5 cm × 5 cm mini-modules comprising six series-connected subcells are fabricated. The champion mini-module, with an active area of 14.21 cm², achieved a high PCE of 21.7%, with a V_OC of 7.024 V, a J_SC of 4.01 mA cm⁻², and an FF of 77.05% (Fig. 4c). Such efficiency is lower than that of small-area devices due to inevitable series resistance and inactive area losses in module fabrication^60,61.
a J–V curves of the champion devices with different Cz-molecules. b Incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) spectra and corresponding integrated short-circuit current densities (J_SC) for the champion devices. c Photograph and J–V curve of the champion 5 cm × 5 cm mini-module based on the Cz-SCN treatment. d Long-term stability of unencapsulated devices stored in ambient air (23 ± 3 °C, 50 ± 10% RH) (ISOS-D-1). e Photostability of unencapsulated devices under continuous 1-sun illumination in a nitrogen atmosphere (ISOS-L-1). f Operational stability of the unencapsulated control and Cz-SCN-based devices under continuous maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in a nitrogen atmosphere (ISOS-LC-1). All of the error bars in Fig. 4d, e represent the standard deviation for six devices.
The practical viability of the Cz-SCN treatment is validated through a series of rigorous long-term stability tests on unencapsulated devices. The Cz-SCN-treated PSC demonstrate exceptional environmental robustness, retaining 95% of its initial PCE after 1500 h in ambient air (23 ± 3 °C, 50 ± 10% RH). This stands in stark contrast to the control device, which catastrophically degrade to just 60% of its initial performance under the same conditions (ISOS-D-1, Fig. 4d)⁶². This enhanced humidity stability stems from the superior hydrophobicity of the Cz-SCN-treated surface, where the dense, uniform monolayer effectively shields the perovskite from moisture ingress (Supplementary Fig. 32). Furthermore, the Cz-SCN treatment impart outstanding photostability. Under continuous 1-sun illumination in a nitrogen atmosphere, the device maintains 90% of its initial PCE after 2000 h, outperforming all others devices (ISOS-L-1, Fig. 4e). Even more impressively, during continuous maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for 1000 h, the Cz-SCN device retain a remarkable 92% of its initial efficiency; in comparison, the control device decay to 80% of its initial value after only 450 h (ISOS-LC-1, Fig. 4f). Post-aging SEM and XRD analyses further confirm that Cz-SCN treated devices retain more compact morphology and strong α-phase crystallinity with negligible PbI₂ formation, in sharp contrast to the degraded control counterpart (Supplementary Figs. 33 and 34). These collective results unequivocally demonstrate that the self-assembly-directed, ordered crystallization induced by Cz-SCN is a highly effective strategy for producing n-i-p solar cells with the exceptional efficiency and long-term stability required for practical applications.
In summary, we develop a highly effective strategy for directing the ordered crystallization of α-FAPbI₃ in the conventional n-i-p architecture by incorporating a SAM, Cz-SCN, into the anti-solvent. Through a systematic comparison of anchoring groups, we demonstrate that the thiocyanate (-SCN) functionality is unique in its ability to drive the in-situ formation of a self-assembled guiding layer, a capability not observed for its analogues. Our synergistic investigation reveal that this capability stems from the superior adsorption energy of the -SCN group, which establishes a robust template on the perovskite surface. This template layer accelerates the efficient δ-to-α phase transition and guides the top-down crystallization process, thereby obtaining a highly ordered α-phase film with reduced defect densities and optimized energy level alignment for efficient hole extraction. This self-assembly-directed crystallization strategy translates directly into a profound enhancement in device performance and stability, yielding a champion PCE of 26.1% (certified at 25.67%) with outstanding operational and environmental stability. This work not only provides a powerful solution to the long-standing challenge of FAPbI₃ crystallization control in n-i-p devices but also underscores the critical role of molecular design in guiding self-assembly for the advancement of next-generation photovoltaic technologies.
The reagents for Cz-SCN, Cz-COOH, Cz-CN, or Cz-NH₂ synthesis were purchased from Aladdin and Energy Chemical (China). Formamidinium iodide (FAI) was sourced from Greatcell (Australia), while other reagents such as methylammonium chloride (MACl), cesium iodide (CsI), methylammonium bromide (MABr), lead bromide (PbBr₂), Spiro-OMeTAD, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Li-TFSI), and FK209-Co(III)-TFSI were obtained from Xi’an Yuri Solar Co. (China). Lead iodide (PbI₂) was supplied by TCI Shanghai (China). Solvents, including N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), chlorobenzene (CB), ethyl acetate (EA), isopropanol (IPA), acetonitrile (ACN), and 4-tert-butylpyridine (TB), were purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific (USA). Stannous chloride (SnCl₂·2H₂O), thioglycolic acid (TGA), and urea were acquired from Sigma-Aldrich (USA). All reagents had a purity of at least 99%.
The glass substrates with pre-patterned fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) were thoroughly cleaned. Ultrasonication was employed, with the substrates being successively immersed in detergent, deionized (DI) water, and ethanol, each immersion lasting for 20 min. After that, prior to utilization, the purified FTO-coated glass underwent a 15 min UV-ozone treatment. The electron-transporting layer consisted of a dense SnO₂ film. This film was deposited on the FTO layer via a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The CBD solution was formulated as follows: per 100 mL of deionized (DI) water, 1.25 g of urea, 1.25 mL of HCl, 25 μL of TGA, and 275 mg of SnCl₂ 2H₂O were mixed. The FTO-coated glass was then submerged in a diluted version of this mixed solution at 90 °C for 3 h. Subsequently, it was cleaned with DI water and IPA through sonication for 5 min, and thereafter annealed at 170 °C for 1 h. A 1.5 M perovskite precursor, FA_0.98MA_0.02Pb(I_0.98Br_0.02)₃, was prepared. To achieve this, 252.79 mg of FAI, 711.56 mg of PbI₂, 33.76 mg of MACl, 3.36 mg of MABr, and 11.01 mg of PbBr₂ salts were dissolved in 1 mL of a DMF/DMSO (8:1, v/v) mixed solvent. A volume of 50 μL of the perovskite precursor solution was then dropped onto the CBD – SnO₂ film. Consecutive spin-coating was carried out, first at 1000 rpm for 10 s and then at 5000 rpm for 30 s. During the last 10 s of spin-coating, 120 μL of ethyl acetate (EA) was added as an anti-solvent to the center of the perovskite film. The Cz-SCN, Cz-COOH, Cz-CN, or Cz-NH₂ solution (3 mg/mL in EA) was then applied. The formed FAPbI₃ film was annealed at 100 °C for 60 min. After this, a Spiro-OMeTAD layer was prepared. It had a concentration of 0.059 mmol mL⁻¹ in chlorobenzene (CB) and was doped with Li-TFSI (0.033 mmol), 4-tert-butyl pyridine (0.205 mmol), and FK209-Co (III)-TFSI (0.0057 mmol). This layer was spin-coated onto the perovskite film at 3000 rpm for 30 s. Finally, an 80 nm gold electrode was thermally evaporated onto the film, followed by a 100 nm MgF₂ coating on the glass. A perovskite module composed of six series-connected sub-cells was constructed on a 5 cm × 5 cm glass/FTO substrate. The interconnection were carried out by laser scribing at a wavelength of 532 nm. The active area of the module is 14.21 cm². The geometric fill factor (GFF) calculation result is GFF = (4.0 cm⁻⁵ × 680 μm)/4.0 cm = 91.4%. The line widths of P1, P2, and P3 were 30 μm, 200 μm, and 150 μm, respectively, with inter-line spacings of 100 μm (P1-P2) and 200 μm (P2-P3).
¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR were conducted in d₆-DMSO using a Bruker 400 MHz instrument. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) tests are performed by Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Orbitrap instruments to provide accurate molecular mass measurements. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurement was performed by the INVENIO S Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Measuring 64 scans per sample, from 4000 to 400 cm⁻¹ with a resolution of 2 cm⁻¹. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed on Shimadzu DTG-60H at a heating rate of 10 °C min⁻¹ under a nitrogen atmosphere, respectively. The absorbance spectra were measured by a UV–vis spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere (PerkinElmer, Lambda 950). ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectra, HRMS tests, and TGA characterization of Cz-molecules were showed in Supplementary Figs. 35–53.
SEM measurement was conducted using the JEOL JSM-7800F. Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) experiments were conducted at the BL14B1 beamline of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, with samples prepared following the same film preparation procedure in the SSRF chemistry lab. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) measurement. The instrument used was the Focused Ion Beam-scanning electron microscope at Westlake University. The in-situ PL spectra were recorded using an ISPL-HI001 instrument equipped with a 445 nm laser source (Nanjing Ouyi Optoelectronics Technology). In situ UV–vis absorption spectra were recorded using a setup where Y-type optical fibers were connected to the glovebox through a flange interface. A Hamamatsu EQ-99-FC served as the white light excitation source positioned outside the glovebox, while an Ocean Optics QE-PRO spectrometer was employed to monitor the real-time absorption changes during both the spin-coating and annealing stages. The surface morphology of the perovskite film was analyzed using AFM with the Park XE7 instrument. XPS measurements using the Thermo-Fisher ESCALAB 250Xi system equipped with a monochromatized Al Kα X-ray source were utilized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were acquired using a Smartlab 3KW diffractometer (Rigaku Corporation, Japan). Space charge limited current (SCLC) measurements were performed using the Keithley 2450 SMU. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements were obtained using the Delta Flex TCSPC system from Horiba, with data collected at 820 nm under 530 nm excitation. UPS measurements were conducted using the PHI 5000 Versa Probe III instrument, equipped with a He I source (21.22 eV).
The current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics of the devices were measured by a Keithley 2400 source meter under a Class AAA sunlight simulator (XES-40S3, SAN-EI). The light intensity was calibrated to 100 mW cm⁻² by a National Institute of Metrology (NIM) certified standard silicon reference cell (QEB1) at AM 1.5 G. Incident photon to electron efficiency (IPCE) testing was accomplished using a QER-900AD system (Nanjing Ouyi Photonics Technology) with a NIM-calibrated Hamamatsu Model S1337-1010BQ silicon detector for response correction. EIS and Mott-Schottky analysis were accomplished with the aid of a CHI760E electrochemical workstation (Chenhua Instruments, China). SPO tests were evaluated by biasing the device at the maximum power point (MPP) determined by its J–V curve and recording the steady-state current; the steady-state photoelectric conversion efficiency was calculated from the product of the applied voltage and the stabilized current density. Device humidity stability testing was conducted at 23 ± 2 °C and 40 ± 10% relative humidity, during which a Class AAA sunlight simulator was used to periodically monitor performance changes. In addition, MPPT tests were conducted under 1 sun irradiation in a nitrogen atmosphere at 20°C ± 3°C using a self-assembled multichannel potentiostat to further evaluate the device stability under operating conditions. For these measurements, we employed poly[bis(4‑phenyl)(2,4,6‑trimethylphenyl)amine] (PTAA) doped with 4‑isopropyl‑4′‑methyldiphenyliodonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate (TPFB) instead of spiro‑OMeTAD, with a PTAA concentration of 30 mg mL⁻¹ and a PTAA:TPFB weight ratio of 10:1.
Further information on research design is available in the Nature Portfolio Reporting Summary linked to this article.
All data generated in this study are provided in the article and Supplementary Information and the raw data supporting this study are available from the Source Data file. Source data are provided with this paper.
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This work is supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (62474091 F.W., 62288102 W.H., 62374085 T.Q.); the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U21A2078 R.L.), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20241871 F.W.), and the Major Program of Natural Science Research of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China (24KJA480003 F.W.). The authors thank the beamlines BL02U2, BL17B1, and BL19U2 at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) for providing the beam time and the User Experiment Assist System of SSRF for their help.
These authors contributed equally: Qingyun He, Junbo Wang, Mengyang Wu.
State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE) & Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), School of Flexible Electronics (Future Technologies), Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech), Nanjing, China
Qingyun He, Junbo Wang, Mengyang Wu, Chongyu Zhong, Lei Li, Xiangru Zhao, Mengzhu Ding, Pinghui Yang, Renzhi Li, Wei Huang, Tianshi Qin & Fangfang Wang
Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Xi’an Institute of Flexible Electronics (IFE), Xi’an Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), Xi’an, China
Wei Huang
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F.W. and R.L. conceived the idea, designed the experiment, and wrote the manuscript. F.W. and R.L. supervised the work. R.L. contributed to the data analysis and revised the manuscript. Q.H. synthesized and characterized the new materials. Q.H. and J.W. fabricated the n-i-p type PSCs and performed the PV characterizations. J.W. performed theoretical calculations. Q.H. and J.W. performed the GIWAXS. P.Y. performed the in-situ PL and in-situ UV-vis, supervised by R.L. M.W. performed TRPL and PL tests. C.Z. performed AFM and Water contact angle tests. X.Z. performed SEM. L.L. and M.D. performed formal analysis. F. W., W.H., R.L., and T.Q. contributed the funding acquisition.
Correspondence to Renzhi Li, Wei Huang, Tianshi Qin or Fangfang Wang.
The authors declare no competing interests.
Nature Communications thanks Yuhang Liu, Zonglong Zhu and the other anonymous reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. A peer review file is available.
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Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, which permits any non-commercial use, sharing, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if you modified the licensed material. You do not have permission under this licence to share adapted material derived from this article or parts of it. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.
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He, Q., Wang, J., Wu, M. et al. A self-assembled molecule directs ordered α-FAPbI₃ for n-i-p perovskite solar cells. Nat Commun 17, 1479 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-68214-1
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Analysis from Wiki-Solar finds the world’s 33 largest utility-scale solar markets had a cumulative capacity of 1,008 GWac by the end of last year.
Image: Wiki-Solar
From pv magazine Global
The world’s large-scale solar capacity surpassed 1 TWac in 2025, according to analysis from PV data consultancy Wiki-Solar.
Wiki-Solar’s database of utility-scale solar, consisting of projects 4 MWac and larger, now covers 23,285 projects across the 33 leading countries for large-scale solar, which together account for 1,008 GWac as of the final quarter of last year.
These countries represent around 92% of the world’s total, according to Wiki-Solar’s analysis. Last year’s additions represented a record in a calendar year, nearing 250 GWac.
Image: Wiki-Solar
Wiki-Solar founder, Philip Wolfe, said that at current growth rates utility-scale solar should match wind power by the end of 2026.
Total solar generation, also including rooftop and distributed systems, is already much larger. Recent figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) put current global solar capacity at around 2.4 TW.
Wolfe also predicted that solar power will become the world’s primary energy source within twenty years “despite being written off as irrelevant when I joined the sector fifty years ago.”
China remains the world’s leading large-solar market, with 5,639 plants totaling a cumulative capacity of 446 GWac in Wiki-Solar’s database. The United States and India follow, with 3,796 and 1,965 large-scale solar plants with cumulative capacities totaling 162.8 GWac and 109.6 GWac respectively.
Spain and Germany sit at fourth and fifth on the list, with 39.3 GWac and 25.1 GWac of large-scale solar. The top ten is rounded out by Brazil and Japan, each with 21 GWac of large-scale solar, followed by Australia (16.2 GWac), France (12.6 GWac) and Chile (12.5ac).
Saudi Arabia is the leading country in the Middle East, sitting at twelfth with 11.9 GWac of large-scale solar, while South Africa is the lone African nation in the leading 33 nations. Its 6.2 GWac of large-scale solar places it eighteenth in the ranking.
Mexico, Ukraine, Malaysia and Taiwan are all new entries to the top 33 ranking since Wiki-Solar’s equivalent analysis from early last year, sitting at positions 14, 27, 30 and 32 by the year end.
Wolfe also told pv magazine Wiki-Solar is evolving into RenewAtlas on an enhanced platform with a database of over 30,000 utility-scale solar projects, around three-quarters of which are operational. The platform also features battery energy storage systems and other hybrid systems.
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Odisha CM Inaugurates Jupiter–AMPIN’s Integrated Solar Cell & Module Facility In Bhubaneswar Photograph: (Jupiter International)
Jupiter International Limited and AMPIN Energy Transition Private Limited have formally inaugurated their joint venture manufacturing platform, AMPIN Solar One Private Limited, marking a significant addition to India’s domestic solar manufacturing capacity. The integrated solar cell and module facility, located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was inaugurated recently by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The facility is designed as an integrated manufacturing unit, bringing together solar cell and module production under one platform. AMPIN Solar One Private Limited, the JV entity between Jupiter International Limited and AMPIN Energy Transition Private Limited, aims to strengthen India’s domestic supply chain and reduce reliance on imports, particularly in the upstream segments of solar manufacturing.
Commenting on the development, Alok Garodia, Chairman and Managing Director of Jupiter International Limited, said the commissioning of the facility represents a strategic step towards building a robust domestic manufacturing backbone for India’s energy transition. He added that the platform combines scale, manufacturing depth, and a focus on quality execution to enable a reliable supply of high-performance solar cells and modules within the country. He also highlighted the company’s collaboration with AMPIN and the Government of Odisha in advancing India’s clean energy ambitions.
The inauguration comes at a time when India is accelerating efforts to localise solar manufacturing, backed by policy support such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework. With rising solar deployment targets and continued dependence on imported cells, particularly from China, the development of integrated manufacturing facilities has become a priority for both policymakers and industry players.
Odisha has been positioning itself as an emerging hub for renewable energy manufacturing, offering policy incentives, land availability, and port connectivity. The commissioning of the AMPIN Solar One facility is expected to further strengthen the state’s role in India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem while contributing to employment generation and industrial development in the region.
Earlier, several companies like Waaree Energies, Inox Solar, Saatvik Solar, Icon Solar and others picked Odisha for their solar cell and solar module manufacturing. In recent years, the coastal state has become a new hotbed for solar investments. The Industrial Policy Resolution of the state, which gives several incentives for the manufacturing sector, its proximity to ports and others seems to have given the state an upper hand in attracting investments. 
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MyNu Energy has launched a mobile solar generation and battery energy storage system designed to reduce reliance on diesel as the Middle East crisis continues to cause concerns about fuel shortages and uncertain energy costs.
Image: MyNu Energy
Brisbane-based energy solutions provider MyNu Energy has unveiled a trailer-mounted solar and battery energy storage system designed to replace traditional diesel-fuelled generators as businesses look to manage energy costs and reduce exposure to fuel supply disruptions.
The PowerQub-M Mobile Power Station combines a 3 kW demountable solar array with battery storage options ranging from 60 kWh to 240 kWh and can deliver between 25 kVA and 160 kVA of power depending on configuration, with both three-phase and single-phase outlets.
The company said the mobile power plant can also be customised to meet specific customer requirements, including integrating with larger ground-mounted portable solar systems.
MyNu said the PowerQub-M is designed and assembled in Australia, with company co-founder Shaun Nugent highlighting that the ability to deploy power quickly in remote or temporary locations was a key driver behind the design.
“We wanted to create something that could be moved easily and set up quickly wherever power is needed, whether that’s a construction site, a farm, an event or even disaster recovery situations,” he said.
“The trailer-based design means it can be deployed rapidly without the need for permanent infrastructure.”
MyNu expects demand across sectors including construction, agriculture, remote infrastructure, events and emergency response, particularly in regions where diesel logistics remain challenging.
“This isn’t just about sustainability, it’s about practicality,” Nugent said. “Businesses need power they can rely on, and increasingly they’re looking for solutions that aren’t tied to diesel.”
Nugent said the system also offers advantages for equipment performance, with battery-based power delivering more stable electricity compared to some diesel generators.
The PowerQub-M Mobile Power Station is priced from $49,750, not including GST, with MyNu estimating it could reduce diesel usage by up to 25,000 litres per year.
MyNu co-founder John Myler said the launch of the mobile energy plant comes amid a growing shift toward alternative power solutions as businesses look to exert more control over their energy use and costs.
“We’re hearing from farmers, construction operators and regional businesses who are struggling with both the cost and availability of diesel,” he said. “Power is critical to their operations, and they need solutions that are reliable, but also independent of fuel supply chains.”
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
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The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) of Ontario has awarded contracts for 1.3GW of new renewable energy capacity for 14 projects to be deployed in the Canadian province.
The projects received 20-year contracts under the IESO’s Long-Term 2 Request for Proposals (LT2 RFP), and comprise 12 solar projects, with a combined capacity of 915.1MW, and two wind projects, with a total capacity of 400MW. The IESO is still finalising contract negotiations with the successful applicants, and plans to announce full contract details, including prices, in May this year.
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CarbonFree, a Canadian carbon capture company, was a major winner in this round, with its renewable energy developer subsidiaries receiving awards for three solar projects, with a combined capacity of 381.2MW. One such subsidiary, CarbonFree Fort Frances, will develop a solar project of the same name near Fort Frances, north-west Ontario, which is the largest solar project by capacity in this auction round, of 167.2MW.
The news follows the first round of the government request for proposals, which was launched in 2023 and awarded contracts to projects that aim to begin commercial operation between 2026 and 2028. This round saw 13 contracts awarded, for a total of 2.1GW of capacity, with the majority of this capacity offered to battery energy storage systems (BESS), alongside two natural gas plants and a biogas project.
As a result, LT2 RFP is a clear shift towards renewable electricity generation, and sustained investment in batteries; IESO noted that it expects to award 1.6GW of BESS in LT2 RFP, as batteries are likely to continue to feature prominently in the province’s energy mix.
While IESO has awarded less capacity in LT2 RFP than it did in the previous round, it noted that it expects to complete another three procurement rounds, “making it the largest electricity procurement in Ontario’s history”, according to the system operator.
This round comes as Canada expects to significantly increase its operational solar PV capacity in the coming years. Figures from the Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) published last year estimated that Canada would add 17-26GW of new solar capacity over the next decade.

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Hildisrieden, LU – April 03, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Oekoboiler Swiss AG, a Swiss manufacturer specializing in energy-efficient heat pump boilers, continues to expand its sustainable hot water solutions that seamlessly integrate with photovoltaic systems across Switzerland. The company’s advanced systems combine heat pump and solar technology to deliver significant energy savings while reducing CO2 emissions in residential and commercial buildings.
The company’s innovative approach addresses the growing demand for sustainable building technologies as Switzerland moves toward stricter energy-efficiency standards. Oekoboiler’s systems utilize a dual-energy approach that draws approximately 75 percent of the required energy from ambient air and only 25 percent from electricity, resulting in up to an 80 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional water-heating methods.

The company’s heat pump boilers operate independently from central heating systems, making them particularly suitable for both new construction and retrofitting existing buildings. This flexibility has positioned Oekoboiler as a key provider of sustainable hot water solutions throughout Switzerland, where the company plans, installs, and maintains systems tailored to individual building requirements. Learn more here: https://pressadvantage.com/organization/oekoboiler-swiss-ag.
As Switzerland prepares for the implementation of EnEV 2025 energy efficiency standards, Oekoboiler’s technology offers building owners a pathway to compliance while maintaining comfort and reliability. The systems feature smart controls that optimize energy usage based on demand patterns and available solar energy, ensuring maximum efficiency throughout the year.
The integration capabilities extend beyond basic functionality, with WiFi-enabled models allowing remote monitoring and control. This connectivity enables property owners and facility managers to track energy consumption, adjust settings, and receive maintenance alerts, contributing to long-term system efficiency and reliability.
Oekoboiler’s product range includes storage capacities from 150 to 450 liters, accommodating various building sizes and hot water demands. Each system undergoes rigorous testing in Switzerland, ensuring quality and performance standards that meet the country’s stringent building regulations.
The environmental benefits of Oekoboiler’s technology extend beyond energy savings. The heat pump operation naturally dehumidifies basement spaces where units are typically installed, preventing mold formation and eliminating the need for separate dehumidification equipment. This dual functionality adds value for property owners while contributing to healthier indoor environments.

Oekoboiler Swiss AG maintains its commitment to Swiss engineering excellence through continuous product development and comprehensive service support. The company’s focus on quality consultation and customized solutions has established its reputation as a trusted partner for sustainable building projects throughout Switzerland. Additional information about Oekoboiler Swiss AG can be found at https://oekoboiler-swiss-ag.localo.site.
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Senegal's national electricity company is deploying two hybrid installations at Diass and Linguère, combining photovoltaic solar and battery storage, to strengthen grid stability and accelerate the energy transition.
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Jupiter International and AMPIN Energy Transition have inaugurated a 1.3 GW solar cell and module facility in Bhubaneswar, India, under a joint venture.
Image: Jupiter International
From pv magazine India
Jupiter International and AMPIN Energy Transition have inaugurated an integrated solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, through their joint venture, AMPIN Solar One. The site was inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The facility has a production capacity of 1.3 GW per year and was developed under India’s production-linked incentive scheme. Modules produced at the site will be used by AMPIN and supplied to third-party developers.
Jupiter International’s Alok Garodia said the project is intended to strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity for India’s energy transition and support local supply of solar cells and modules.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
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USD 1.7
Baku 10 °C
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Baku 10 °C
Rooftop solar panels have been installed on more than 2,000 residential and public buildings in Karabakh and East Zangezur, APA-Economics reports, citing the Ministry of Energy.
Solar panels with a capacity of over 7,000 kW have been installed on these facilities.
“Rooftop solar panels, which are among the main elements of modern urban planning, play an important role in transforming Karabakh and East Zangezur into a green energy zone. This approach both increases energy efficiency and contributes to the more sustainable and environmentally friendly development of these regions,” the statement said.

 
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Former head of Azerbaijani diaspora in Urals Shahin Shikhlinski jailed for 9 years, son gets 8 years
Azerbaijan produces over 6.5 mln tons of oil this year
Parliament to approve Host Country Agreement between Azerbaijan and ECO Clean Energy Center
Five killed as Israeli strikes and heavy shelling intensify across southern Lebanon
Azerbaijan and Ethiopia to cooperate in defense sector
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to visit China
Iran says US, Israeli vessels will be barred from Strait of Hormuz
Azerbaijan reveals budget funds audited last year
Amount of funds restored to Azerbaijan’s state budget last year revealed
Azerbaijan sends materials on AZN 40.2 mln in budget damage to law enforcement authorities
Audit reveals 584.8 mln manat in compliance violations in Azerbaijan in 2025
ADY completes major overhaul of Alabashli–Gizilja railway section – VIDEO
Earthquake strikes Türkiye
Gold and silver prices fall in commodity markets
Natural gas prices rise on New York Stock Exchange
Brent oil price exceeds $102
Trump: U.S. to blockade ships entering or exiting Iranian ports
Bitcoin price drops below $71,000
Russian diplomat: UN peacekeepers could guard Bushehr NPP only with Iran’s consent
Trump attacks Pope Leo, calling him ‘terrible’ for foreign policy and ‘weak’ on crime
Trump: U.S. financial commitment to NATO under “very serious examination”
Malaysia detains two tankers suspected of illegally transferring diesel
‘Enmity begets enmity’, says Iranian foreign minister
Telegraph: Britain to send minesweepers to Strait of Hormuz
US to allow Strait of Hormuz transit to and from non-Iranian ports — Pentagon
Tisza Party leader Magyar declared victory in Hungary’s parliamentary elections
US plans to begin naval blockade of Iran on April 13
Magyar received congratulations from German Chancellor and NATO Secretary General on his election victory in Hungary
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Reliance has entered the ALMM List-II for solar PV cells by adding 1,238 MW of HJT solar cell capacity, while Jupiter International has added 991 MW of Mono PERC capacity from its new plant in Himachal Pradesh. Websol has enhanced its capacity by 600 MW to reach 1,202 MW. Total enlisted capacity in ALMM List-II has increased to 30,056 MW.
April 13, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey

Solar to BESS: Reliability Begins with Advanced Sealants, Explains Manish Gupta, Fasto Adhesive

Anand Jain of Aerem Solutions on Scaling Solar, Storage, and Finance for Sustainable India

JIRE CEO Amit Kumar Mittal Explains Rising Role of Energy Storage and Green Hydrogen in India

Icon Solar Modules Are Engineered for India’s Harsh Conditions, Says Rajat Shrivastava

Mobile Charging and Energy Storage Will Drive India’s EV Adoption: Mobec’s Harry Bajaj

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One-year moratorium on solar farms fails on Alabama Senate procedural rule  Alabama Reflector
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From left are Sushil Shivaji Sangale, Kwon Sung-nam and Na Seok-in / Courtesy of Jeonbuk National University
A team of researchers from Jeonbuk National University, DGIST and Sungkyunkwan University has developed a new type of solar panel that is both highly efficient and eco-friendly. They are professors Sushil Shivaji Sangale, Kwon Sung-nam and Na Seok-in.
These solar panels are made from a material called perovskite, which is considered a promising alternative to traditional silicon due to its lower cost and higher efficiency. However, until now, making perovskite solar cells has required toxic chemicals and has been difficult to scale up to larger sizes without losing performance.
To solve these problems, the researchers created a new kind of liquid “ink” used to manufacture the solar panels. This ink works like a printable coating that forms the light-absorbing layer of the solar cell. In older methods, a harmful chemical called DMF was commonly used, but the team replaced it with a safer alternative called DMSO. They also added a small amount of iodobenzene, a special ingredient which helps the material form more evenly.
One of the most important parts of making solar cells is how the material solidifies and forms tiny crystal structures. If this process is uneven, the solar panel becomes less efficient. The new ink allows the researchers to carefully control how the material forms, resulting in a smoother and more uniform structure that improves performance.
Using this method, the team achieved an efficiency of 22.3 percent, meaning the solar panel can convert over 22 percent of sunlight into electricity, which is very high for this type of technology.
Just as importantly, the panels maintained strong performance even when scaled up, reaching 21 percent efficiency in smaller modules and 19.5 percent in larger ones. This is significant because many experimental solar technologies work well only at small scales but lose efficiency when expanded.
The researchers say this work demonstrates that it is possible to create solar panels that are efficient, eco-friendly and suitable for large-scale production at the same time. This advancement could help reduce the use of toxic chemicals, lower manufacturing costs and bring next-generation solar energy technology closer to everyday use.
This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.

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The public-private partnership plans a 2028 demonstration of its LEPTON technology designed to deliver photovoltaic power to the moon’s surface from low orbit.
Volta rendering of the LEPTON system
Image: Volta Space Technologies
Volta Space Technologies, has announced the development of its Laser-Enabled Power Transmission Orbital Network (LEPTON), a solution to the challenge of providing power to missions on the surface of the moon during so-called “lunar nights” — periods in which half of the lunar surface is faced away from the sun that can last as long as 14 days.
The LEPTON system uses “a satellite-hosted, high-power, collaboratively pointed laser payload” in orbit to deliver power to a “high-efficiency, tuned photovoltaic receiver” on the surface via optical wireless power transfer (OWPT).
The Montreal-based technology startup is planning a demonstration project for 2028 in which the LEPTON system will complete the long-distance delivery of power to the moon’s surface from satellites in low-lunar orbit. 
To that end, the company has booked a spot for its LightPort wireless power receiver on the upcoming Blue Ghost Mission 2 being planned by space and defense technology company Firefly Aerospace. The LightPort receiver will be integrated into the Firefly lander’s top deck. 
Blue Ghost Mission 1, which took place in early 2025, resulted in the first successful landing of a private spacecraft on the moon.
Technology and potential applications
The LEPTON system is designed to transmit electric power across hundreds of kilometers, which the company says will reduce the cost and mass represented by large batteries currently needed to power lunar missions, allowing exploration into permanently-shaded regions like the inside of deep craters.
The company also envisions this technology could be used for surface-to-surface power distribution from remote sources, such as fission surface power reactors or vertical solar arrays in lieu of traditional cables for future missions to the moon and Mars, and could also be used terrestrially for defense applications or delivery of power to disaster-stricken regions.
However, before any of that can occur, much is left to be proven by OWPT. On its website, Volta touts demonstrations in which it successfully used the technology to power a lunar rover from 200 meters away in an indoor test, and the laser delivery of power from a distance of 880 meters in an outdoor test.
Other experiments in the space-based solar field include those from Overview Energy, who seek to beam power not over lasers, but through near-infrared beams from space, and researchers from Caltech, who tested power transfer over microwaves.
 
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The Northeast Hoped to Lead on Climate. Now It’s Rethinking.  The New York Times
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The newly inaugurated AMPIN Solar One facility in Bhubaneswar will focus on building integrated solar cell and module manufacturing capabilities to support India’s clean energy transition.
April 13, 2026. By News Bureau
Jupiter International and AMPIN Energy Transition inaugurated their joint venture manufacturing platform, AMPIN Solar One, in Bhubaneswar. The facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, on April 8, marking a push to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing.
Commenting on the inauguration, Alok Garodia, CMD Jupiter International, said, “The inauguration of the manufacturing facility of  AMPIN Solar One is a significant step towards building a stronger domestic manufacturing backbone for India’s energy transition. This platform brings together scale, manufacturing depth and quality-focused execution, so as to enable the reliable supply of high-performance cells and modules from within the country. We are proud to partner with AMPIN and the Government of Odisha in advancing clean energy ambitions.”
AMPIN Solar One is the joint venture of AMPIN Energy Transition and Jupiter International, established to build and operate an integrated solar cell and module capability in India.

Solar to BESS: Reliability Begins with Advanced Sealants, Explains Manish Gupta, Fasto Adhesive

Anand Jain of Aerem Solutions on Scaling Solar, Storage, and Finance for Sustainable India

JIRE CEO Amit Kumar Mittal Explains Rising Role of Energy Storage and Green Hydrogen in India

Icon Solar Modules Are Engineered for India’s Harsh Conditions, Says Rajat Shrivastava

Mobile Charging and Energy Storage Will Drive India’s EV Adoption: Mobec’s Harry Bajaj

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