Author: solarenergy
EDP Renewables North America today unveiled the Sandrini I & II solar farm (Sandrini I & II) in Kern County, California. The two-phase solar farm includes the 200 MW Sandrini I, which has a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Shell Energy North America (SENA), and the 100 MW Sandrini II, which has a 15-year PPA. with Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA). Both phases of the project were commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2024. Sandrini I generates enough energy to power the equivalent of more than 76,000 California homes annually and has paid out more than $510,000 in tax…
China Huadian Corp. has launched a tender procedure for 18 GW inverters, targeting string inverters of 300 kW and more, with an input voltage of 1,500 V DC and an overload capacity of 10%. Bidding begins on February 6, 2025. January 7, 2025 Vincent Shaw China Huadian Corp. Image: N509FZ, Wikimedia Commons China Huadian has launched a tender procedure for string inverters of 300 kW and more, with an estimated purchasing volume of approximately 18 GW. The tender calls for three-phase, three-wire system inverters with a DC input voltage of 1,500 V and an overload capacity of 10%. The bidding…
Scientists in China have used ground heat exchangers based on volcanic tuffs to improve the storage capabilities and efficiency of photovoltaic-thermal systems. Their experiments showed that the proposed combination effectively improves the cooling and thermal efficiency of PV modules. January 7, 2025 Emiliano Bellini Researchers from China’s Xi’an Jiaotong University have attempted to combine photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) energy with thermal storage provided by ground heat exchangers (GHE) that use volcanic tuff as a heat storage material. “This approach takes advantage of the unique thermal properties of volcanic tuffs, such as their high porosity and thermal conductivity, to improve cooling, thermal regulation…
Chinese module manufacturer GCL SI has expanded into the production of back contact (BC) solar cells with its first 660W BC module, featuring TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) technology. January 7, 2025 Vincent Shaw Chinese module manufacturer GCL SI, a subsidiary of GCL Technology, has launched its first PV module based on BC solar cell technology. The 660W module, with dimensions of 2,382 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm, has a temperature coefficient of -0.25% per degree Celsius. Sheng This design reportedly improves light absorption, photoelectric conversion, recombination loss reduction, and current collection efficiency. The module design enables longer…
SolarEdge Technologies plans to lay off 400 employees worldwide, its fourth job cuts announcement in the past year. Recent safe harbor agreements and 45X credit sales could help the company on the road to recovery. January 7, 2025 Anne Fischer By pv magazine USA SolarEdge Technologies plans to lay off 400 employees worldwide, its fourth job cuts announcement in the past year. For example, last January the company announced a global workforce reduction plan that will impact approximately 900 employees, or about 16% of its total workforce. The company said the reduction is part of a restructuring plan “designed to…
As part of the deal, SolarKW will be renamed Upvolt Oxfordshire. Image: KBS Corporate. Upvolt has acquired renewable energy company SolarKW in a deal aimed at expanding the reach of rooftop solar in the Oxfordshire region. SolarKW, which has previously won awards for its solar panel installation services, will be rebranded as Upvolt Oxfordshire following the deal. In the coming months, the new Upvolt Oxfordshire will look to acquire more companies in the renewable energy sector to increase the company’s presence in the UK. Upvolt specializes in smart solar installations for homes and businesses, allowing its customers to manage their…
The French government has allocated 464 MW of the 500 MW available in a technology-neutral renewable energy tender to PV projects. January 7, 2025 Gwénaëlle Deboutte By pv magazine France The French Ministry of Ecological Transition published the report list of winners of a technologically neutral tender for PV, hydropower and wind installations. The tender procedure was set up in accordance with the European Commission’s wish to enable direct and non-discriminatory competition between different renewable energy sources. For this third session, 500.6 MW was allocated against a requested volume of 500 MW. The tender accepted proposals for ground-mounted PV projects…
SolarPanelRecycling.com (SPR) announced that it has launched a double-sided solar panel recycling line at its recycling facilities in North Carolina and Georgia. The line enables clean glass separation with a recovery rate of 99% or higher, the company claims. “The future of solar recycling requires innovation and SPR wants to lead the way by establishing best practices. Our investment in a dedicated two-sided recycling line is a proactive step to ensure our recycling services are scalable and that we can maximize recovery, minimize waste and support the industry’s sustainability goals,” said Brett C. Henderson, CEO of SolarPanelRecycling .com . “True…
A California winery will meet 95% of its electricity needs with a solar panel that tilts on two axes to track direct sunlight all day long. January 7, 2025 Ryan Kennedy By pv magazine USA The Del Dotto Winery in Napa Valley, California, has installed a solar project with large dual-axis solar trackers from Mechatron Solar. The vineyard is expected to meet 95% of its electricity needs with the existing solar panels. Del Dotto Winery spends approximately $120,000 annually on PG&E electricity bills and is expected to save $3 million over the life of the project. The company is expected…
Because solar PV and wind capacity are distributed over large areas and multiple locations, expanding the electrical grid would allow renewable energy projects to connect and provide power in the quantities needed. Image: Roger Cornfoot / Wikimedia Commons. Global grid infrastructure and energy storage must be ramped up to avoid delaying 2030 targets, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The way the world wants it tripled installed renewable energy capacity – to reach 11 TW by 2030 – this makes investment and planning in the development of the electricity grid “even more urgent”, according to…