Author: solarenergy
World of solar energy today announces a new case study feature: Solar energy in the world Impact projects. In every regular issue of World of solar energywe present a solar PV project that goes beyond the inherent benefit of putting clean renewable electrons on the grid. When deployed carefully, solar energy projects can have lasting positive impacts beyond the technology’s designed capabilities. Co-locating agricultural activities such as animal grazing, growing crops or raising honey bees on a ground-based solar project site can make that land healthier in the process. Building an organization on the roof of a nonprofit with small…
As electricity grids become smart, sensors are becoming increasingly relevant for capturing data and providing information about the status and performance of the electricity grid. But sensor performance must also be assessed and measured – and IEC standards and conformity assessment systems play an important role in helping grid and utility operators do this. A multitude of sensors for different tasks A wide variety of sensors can be used in the electricity grid. The IEC 61724-1 Standard, which monitors the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, specifies how to collect accurate and reliable data from various system components, including environmental…
A team of scientists has simulated covering 20% of the Qush-Tepa irrigation canal with PV panels. To this end, the researchers have developed a framework, a so-called integrated techno-economic-environmental assessment, that can be applied elsewhere. “It explicitly quantifies energy production, water evaporation reduction, land use savings and economic performance within a single analytical structure,” said one of the researchers. January 15, 2026 Lior Kahana A research group from Japan and Afghanistan has conducted a techno-ecological and economic assessment of a PV system (CTPV) on the Afghan Qush-Tepa irrigation canal in Afghanistan. To that end, the researchers introduced a framework called…
One of the key benefits of hybridization is the ability to offer more attractive and stable energy products to customers. A hybrid PPA better covers consumption needs, reduces the risks associated with the variability of a single source and enables more competitive prices in the long term, writes Rodrigo López, head of sales at BNZ. January 15, 2026 Diego López The sustainable energy sector is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. In recent years, Europe has seen a strong expansion of solar photovoltaics, consolidating this energy as one of the main sources of clean energy generation. However, this rapid growth has also…
The debt facility totals £50 million, consisting of £30 million of committed financing and up to £20 million of additional uncommitted capacity, subject to agreed terms. It will partially fund the first three Price Protect projects, with further drawdowns expected as new projects reach financial close. The agreement supports the company’s plans to finance more than 15 projects over the next 12 to 24 months, with further expansion in subsequent years. The debt facility is supported by additional equity investments from Ara Partners, Wattstor’s private equity funder, with IDCM acting as exclusive financial advisor to the company. Stephan Marty, CEO…
A new generation of sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery cells has been launched as an alternative to the virtual monopoly of lithium-ion (Li-ion). While the technology is unlikely to displace significant Li-ion market share, recent improvements make Na-ion a viable solution for certain niche applications, with potential for wider use if costs become competitive. January 15, 2026 Henrique Ribeiro By ESS news The basic structure of Na-ion batteries is very similar to that of Li-ion batteries, consisting of positive and negative electrodes, an electrolyte and a separator. The return efficiency is comparable to Li-ion at more than 90 percent, but sodium’s larger…
The latest report from energy think tank Dii Desert Energy states that with the project pipeline of renewables in the Middle East and North Africa now at 202 GW, solar is likely to take the region past its joint national renewable energy ambitions of 235 GW by 2030. January 15, 2026 Patrick Jowett The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will have 12.2 GW of solar installed by 2025, according to a new report from the energy transition think tank Dii Desert energy. The Developments in renewable energy, hydrogen and energy storage in the MENA region According to the…
A new solar cell designed to work in locations such as windows and flexible surfaces where traditional panels cannot has been developed by nanotechnology researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The device targets installations on building facades, architectural glass and curved structures where rigid modules are difficult to implement. The research, led by Prof. Shlomo Magdassi and Prof. Lioz Etgar of the Hebrew University Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, points to new ways to embed solar technology in windows, building facades and curved surfaces without compromising appearance or performance. The approach focuses on semi-transparent,…
Google has awarded grants to Appalachian voicesa regional nonprofit, will build solar microgrids that can act as community resiliency hubs in Duffield and Dungannon, Virginia. The Sharing the Power Foundation grant will partially fund a 30.5 kW solar project paired with 115 kWh of energy storage at Dungannon City Hall and Historic Depot, as well as a 75.6 W solar project paired with 246 kWh of energy storage at Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Appalachian Harvest building in Duffield. The projects will be built by Charlottesville-based Tiger Solar. Appalachian harvest in Duffield, Virginia. Appalachian voices “We are thrilled to have this opportunity…
Hong Kong has a limited land area, and researchers have checked how much of the city could be powered if most of its water reservoirs were fully or partially covered with floating PV systems. In the best case, full coverage could cover more than 15% of the city’s total demand and more than 60% of housing demand. January 14, 2026 Lior Kahana Researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom have evaluated the deployment of floating PV (FPV) on Hong Kong’s water reservoirs. The team simulated two different cases. Firstly, FPV meets household demand and produces and stores…