Another efficiency record

THE ESSENTIALS

New efficiency record set for solar module

• Oxford PV has set a new world record for solar module efficiency with a 60-cell perovskite-silicon tandem module that has a conversion efficiency of 26.9%.

• The perovskite-silicon tandem module beat the previous efficiency record for a module of 25% set earlier this year.

• The company also announced it has partnered with Sunmaxx to produce a new module, dubbed the “Solar Hammer,” with an efficiency of 26.6% that will be commercially available in the next 12-18 months.

Why this matters: It’s another step forward for tandem solar cells and modules, which, with a higher conversion efficiency, promise to get more power out of a smaller surface area.

NorSun to build 5GW factory in Tulsa

• NorSun will invest $620 million to build a plant to make silicon ingots and wafers in Tulska, Oklahoma.

• The Norwegian solar company has a current production capacity of 1GW from its plants in Norway.

• The plant is expected to begin production in 2026.

Why this matters: NorSun is responding to an anticipated surge in demand for U.S.-made hardware from solar cell and module manufacturers who have to meet domestic content requirements to qualify for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits.

China plans solar investment pullback

• Chinese officials said state regulators would limit the expansion of solar production capacity to put a floor under prices that have plummeted in recent years.

• Solar manufacturers in China have urged the government to act to constrain expansion as low prices have caused profits to crater.

• Chinese production capacity in 2023 was almost double total demand in the market.

Why this matters: The policy change is likely to increase the prices of cells and modules, though it will take some time for the impact to show up in the market.

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WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING

➡️ Data centers and EVs expected to surge U.S. power demand. Demand for electricity is expected to jump by 300TWh by 2030, according to Rystad Energy, a consultancy. It expects solar capacity to grow by 237GW over that time. (More)

➡️ New York to add 6GW of energy storage. The state will ramp up current storage expansion plans to supply 20% of peak electricity load by 2030. New York aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. (More)

➡️ Meyer Burger starts module production in Arizona. The Swiss manufacturer began production at its Goodyear, Arizona plant and signed a deal with an undisclosed partner to supply 600MW of modules per year from the plant starting in 2026. The plant has the capacity to produce 1.5GW of modules per year. (More)

➡️ Detroit plans solar farms for vacant lots. The city, which has demolished 24,000 vacant buildings since 2014, is planning to install solar arrays on around 200 acres of vacant land. Around 19 square miles of the city is currently vacant. (More)

AROUND THE WORLD

🇩🇪 Germany sets new solar record. Output in the country reached over 47,000MW at its peak this week and is expected to rise 34% this summer compared to the same time last year. (More)

🇻🇦 Pope wants Vatican to go solar. Pope Francis appointed two officials to work on building an agrivoltaic system that could supply “the complete energy support of Vatican City State.” (More)

🇦🇺 Australia renewable program attracts interest. The country’s Capacity Investment Scheme, which will underwrite wind and solar projects, attracted applications for 40GW worth of projects. The program is the largest renewables tender in the country’s history. (More)

A MESSAGE FROM SOLAR DISPATCH

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Partnering with Solar Dispatch gets your message in front of thousands of solar industry pros — and in a format they’ll actually read.

• Along with native newsletter placements, we’re now offering lead-gen ads — only pay for the leads you get.

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