Recent Developments in Solar Energy (2023–2025)

Abstract

Solar photovoltaics (PV) have entered an age of rapid innovation and widespread deployment. Between 2023 and 2025, crystalline silicon transitioned from p‑type PERC to n‑type architectures (TOPCon, heterojunction, and back‑contact), and perovskite–silicon tandems achieved record-breaking efficiencies and early commercial rollouts. Within the system space, bifacial modules, agrivoltaics, and floating PV unlocked technical and geographical horizon. Concurrent innovations in power electronics, in particular grid‑forming inverters and DC‑coupled storage, are beginning to address grid integration challenges with very high penetrations of PV. Recent developments in materials, cell and module technologies, balance‑of‑system (BOS) technology, and grid integration are discussed in this paper; the remaining challenges in durability, supply chains, and market design are acknowledged; and the paper concludes with pragmatic advice for policymakers, industry, and researchers.