Author: solarenergy

Companies around the world are increasingly choosing to use carbon credit schemes to offset their emissions as governments urge them to decarbonize their operations. While this may seem the obvious solution for hard-to-abate industries, many fail to monitor and assess the schemes to ensure they are working as expected and offsetting the necessary amount of carbon to decarbonise operations. Carbon offset programs are programs introduced by a wide range of companies that aim to reduce carbon emissions through various projects, rather than reducing emissions at the source. They are often used by companies in hard-to-fight industries such as aviation and…

Introduction to Solar Panels and Wildlife Solar energy has emerged as a key player in the shift towards renewable energy sources, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. As solar panel installations continue to multiply across landscapes, it’s important to recognize their potential impact on wildlife habitats and ecosystems. This intersection of renewable energy and wildlife conservation presents both challenges and opportunities that demand our attention and careful consideration. At its core, the arranging of solar panels involves the transformation of land for energy production purposes. This transformation can affect the natural habitats of various wildlife species, disrupting ecosystems and…

Tests conducted by Canadian researchers at the NREL test field in Colorado have shown that ground reflectors based on high-density polyethylene can significantly improve the performance of bifacial PV installations. They emphasized that the profitability of this technology is strictly dependent on location and warned against combining it with inverter clipping. May 8, 2024 Emiliano BelliniResearchers from the University of Ottawa in Canada have investigated the effects of using an artificial ground reflector in large-scale bifacial PV installations and found that it can increase a facility’s power generation by as much as 4.5%.“It is critical that these reflectors are placed…

A construction analysis and consulting firm discovered that the Nevados tracker requires only 118 man-hours per megawatt, less than other comparable solar trackers.According to a new report from Eclipse-M, an independent technical consultant for the construction of solar energy projects, the Nevados All Terrain solar tracker can be assembled and installed faster than any tracker in its class. The company reported that other solar trackers require between 159 and 244 operating hours per megawatt, compared to 118 for Nevados.The adaptability of the All Terrain Tracker allows tracker bays to follow natural terrain, eliminating the need for extensive terrain layout to…

The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation in Malaysia works together with private and public partners in the country to offer citizens financial incentives and discounts in adopting solar energy. It follows a government discount scheme introduced in April. May 8, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Michael Wilson/UnsplashThe Malaysian Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) is launching a plan to encourage citizens and private organizations to adopt solar energy.The Solar@PETRA Initiative, also known as the Energy Transition Solar Initiative for the People, is a joint venture between Petra, Aeon Group, Malaysian solar energy company Sols Energy and BSN,…

Hercules Machinery Corporation (HMC), a construction machinery company, launched its latest product, the STR20-RC, a remote-controlled piling machine designed specifically for solar farm construction. Designed with precision engineering, the STR20-RC can drive piles to depths of 24 ft (with 5 ft extension) for solar installations. The STR20-RC solar pile driver from Hercules Machinery Corporation. “The STR20-RC is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. With its remote-controlled capabilities, this machine not only increases safety on the job site but also significantly enhances productivity,” said Tom Dame, president of Hercules Machinery Corporation. “We believe the STR20-RC will set a…

Non-profit public utility Morrisville Water and Light (MWL) is strengthening the reliability of its network following the unanimous approval of its board of directors for an energy storage services agreement with Encore renewable energy to develop a 5 MW battery storage project in Morrisville, Vermont. “We are thrilled to enter into this innovative partnership with Encore,” said Scott Johnstone, GM of MWL. “This project underlines our commitment to providing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy solutions for our community.” The project involves the installation of a 4.96 MW battery system near the Salvage Yard Solar project, capable of delivering 22,000 kWh…

Spanish developer Solaria says it has purchased 435 MW of solar panels from an unnamed supplier for €0.917 ($0.99)/W. Kiwa PI Berlin confirms that average solar panel prices for large-scale PV projects in Spain are now around €0.10/W. May 8, 2024 Pilar Sanchez Molina Image: Junta de Extremadura, SolariaBy pv magazine SpainSpanish PV project developer Solaria Energía has purchased 435 MW of PV modules for the 700 MW Garoña photovoltaic complex, which it is building in Spain for €0.917/W. The company said it sourced the panels from an undisclosed top-tier manufacturer.The company claimed the deal was the best purchase of…

The Japanese authorities selected 30 battery storage projects in the tender. The selected developers and factory owners will receive a fixed turnover for 20 years. May 8, 2024 Emiliano Bellini The Japan Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (OCCTO) published the report Results of the country’s first capacity auction, the so-called Long-Term Decarbonization Power Source Auction.Through the tender process, the organization has allocated 1.09 GW of battery storage capacity across 30 projects, 1.3 GW of nuclear energy capacity and 824 MW of thermal energy capacity. In addition, it has allocated 576.9 MW of pumping capacity for hydropower storage and…

Modeling shows that shifting just a third of Australia’s commercial and institutional electricity consumption to the middle of the day, which coincides with peak solar supply, would create almost 12 GW of new peak capacity in the national electricity market. May 8, 2024 Ev FoleyBy pv magazine AustraliaThe researchers behind the new “Buildings like batteriesOne article claims that shifting Australia’s cargo to the middle of the day would save AUD 1.7 billion ($1.1 billion) per year. They claim it would also add additional peaking capacity, equivalent to 52% of Australia’s existing coal-fired generation fleet, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions…