Canadian Solar sets multi-crystalline conversion efficiency record – “Canadian Solar Inc. today announced that the Company has set a world record of 22.28% conversion efficiency for its p-type multi-crystalline P5 cell. The record high P5 cell efficiency was tested and certified by Fraunhofer ISE of Germany in April 2019. Canadian Solar has been developing its P5 (casted mono) technology and products for the past few years. The 22.28% record cell was fabricated by utilizing 157mmx157mm P5 multi-crystalline wafers and other production-ready technologies such as selective emitter, silicon oxide passivation, multi-layer anti-reflection coating, aluminum oxide backside passivation, and advanced metallization. In addition, the MCCE (or Metal Catalyzed Chemical Etch) black silicon technology, originally developed by Canadian Solar, was also employed.” Source: Canadian Solar

Trina Solar sets mono-crystalline conversion efficiency record – It’s like deja vu but not! “Trina Solar Co. Ltd. announced today that its State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of China has set a new world record of 24.58% for a high-efficiency n-type mono-crystalline silicon (c-Si) i-TOPCon solar cell. The record-breaking bifacial solar cell was fabricated on a large-sized 244.62 cm2 wafer with a low-cost industrial process of advanced i-TOPCon (Industrial Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) technologies, having a front boron emitter and a rear full-area passivating contact. The bifacial solar cell reached a total-area front side efficiency of 24.58%, without using any dedicated aperture during the illumination. This result has been independently confirmed by the ISFH CalTeC in Germany.” Source: Trina Solar

NeoVolta home battery approved for Cali self generation incentive program – California’s $830 million Self-Generation Incentive Program has a new member, as NeoVolta’s home battery has officially been approved. This subsidy comes on top of the expiring 30% investment tax credit that homeowners already receive for installing the battery system in the first place. Source: NeoVolta

Tompkins Solar gets some gardening help – The Tompkins Solar Farm in Newfield New York, recognizing the need for landscaping to keep grasses and other flora away from the solar panels employed the best gardeners in the business: sheep. The normal symbiotic relationship of grazers and solar farms gets a twist in Tompkins, as the creek running through the project provides a spot for the sheep to get a drink. Source: WSKG