Welcome and Introduction

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Recording of Tuesday, June 18, 2024 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2024 | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 10:08 .

New Advances in Tandem Perovskite Silicon and Colored PV Modules Highlight 'What's Hot in Photovoltaics' Session Led by Fraunhofer's Dr. Harry Wirth

The session "What's Hot in PV" features a panel of distinguished speakers led by Dr. Harry Wirth from Fraunhofer IEC. The focus is on recent advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology, particularly tandem perovskite silicon modules which have achieved record industrial efficiencies of 25%. Measurement challenges for these modules are addressed through advanced solar simulators with precise calibration methods. Significant progress has also been noted in screen printing technologies, reducing finger thickness from 70 microns to as low as 14 microns since 2013. Companies like Highline and Lumet have developed even narrower fingers with widths below 20 microns and down to just 5 microns respectively. Innovations extend to cell interconnection techniques such as shingling, resulting in highly homogeneous matrices suitable for building integration. Additionally, the MorphoColor coating technology offers colored PV modules without substantial efficiency loss due to its high transmittance rates between 92-96%. Further integrations include PV applications in vehicles that can contribute significantly to annual driving range reductions on charging station visits. On power conversion front, raising voltage limits up to medium voltages (2-2.4 kV input) allows material savings and improved system performance; exemplified by Jinko Solar's new certified module and Fraunhofer’s medium voltage string inverter. Molly Morgan from Exawatt will continue the discussion focusing on manufacturer data analysis and trends within module efficiency improvements.

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Dr. Harry Wirth
Director, Division Power Solutions
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Germany

The advances in technology along the solar value chain in recent years have been breathtaking: Innovations have included considerably larger wafers, new cell technologies, much higher-efficiency solar modules, smarter inverters with management systems that can control fully electrified high-tech homes and less material-intensive fixed or tracking mounting systems that can be installed faster and boost system yields. This session will provide an overview of the latest technologies.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Molly Morgan
Senior Research Analyst
Exawatt
United Kingdom

To Talk

Speaker

Joe Steveni
Research Analyst - Clean Energy Technology
S&P Global

Liam Coman
Solar Research Analyst
S&P Global

To Talk

Speaker

Arvid Bürkle
Head of Product Lifecycle Management
KACO new energy GmbH - A Siemens Company
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Dr. Peter Fath
CEO
RCT Solutions GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Speaker

Helena Li
Executive President
Trina Solar
Singapore

To Talk

Further Content
Webinar
Growth of the European Solar Market, Specifically, Romania

February 24, 2026

Webinar: EU Solar Market Overview with Focus on Romania

Webinar Collection
Mixed Investment Solar Projects in Mexico: The 54% Model Explained

January 29, 2026

Mexico has introduced a new mixed investment scheme for renewable power generation, requiring a minimum 54% direct or indirect participation by CFE.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025
Factors That Influence the Success of a Minigrid Project

Wednesday, May 07, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

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Off-grid solar systems are often the least expensive option for rural electrification. Solar home systems can power individual households, while mini-grids can supply entire villages. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The aim of this session is to explore challenges as well as success stories. It takes well-functioning components such as battery systems, charge management and inverters to make projects successful. Proper system sizing, maintenance and repair management, as well as a robust financial concept are also necessary. If one of these elements is missing, the electrification will not be sustainable. This session will focus on the aspects mentioned above. The speakers will present successful and unsuccessful approaches and discuss what can be learned from them.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025
Q&A Session of of the Session Off-Grid: Rural Electrification Based on Solar Systems - Lessons Learned

Wednesday, May 07, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

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Off-grid solar systems are often the least expensive option for rural electrification. Solar home systems can power individual households, while mini-grids can supply entire villages. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The aim of this session is to explore challenges as well as success stories. It takes well-functioning components such as battery systems, charge management and inverters to make projects successful. Proper system sizing, maintenance and repair management, as well as a robust financial concept are also necessary. If one of these elements is missing, the electrification will not be sustainable. This session will focus on the aspects mentioned above. The speakers will present successful and unsuccessful approaches and discuss what can be learned from them.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025
Panel Discussion of of the Session Off-Grid: When Will Off-Grid PV Follow the Affordability Trend?(BSW)

Wednesday, May 07, 2025, 04:00 pm - 05:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

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Photovoltaic prices have fallen continuously in recent years - a trend that should translate into a growing market for off-grid solutions. Declining costs are crucial for rural electrification in particular, making sustainable energy supply economically viable in remote regions. However, so far many of these price advantages have not yet reached the people that need them most. Do existing framework conditions to foster rural electrification still work in this new market reality? Which measures are needed to ensure that cost reductions reach our target group? This session discusses strategies for improving the availability of low-cost off-grid solutions, financing and innovative business models. A look at successful practical examples shows which political, economic and technological levers need to be pulled to make off-grid PV accessible on a large scale.

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