Author: solarenergy

Researchers from the University of New South Wales claim to have identified new TOPCon contact degradation mechanisms that are significantly affected by the combination of ions and aluminum-silver paste compositions. The primary degradation mechanism was a significant increase in series resistance. October 7, 2024 Emiliano BelliniScientists from Australia’s University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Chinese-Canadian PV module manufacturer Canadian Solar have investigated the degradation of industrial TOPCon solar cells subjected to accelerated test conditions of 85 C and 85% relative humidity under the so-called moist heat test (DH85).“Our findings highlight the vulnerability of TOPCon solar cells to contact corrosion,…

Researchers have conducted a techno-economic analysis to investigate the feasibility of a 10 MW-80 MWh liquid air energy storage system in the Chinese electricity market. Their assessment found that a significant level of price volatility is currently a critical factor for the commercial maturity of this storage technology. October 7, 2024 Emiliano BelliniResearchers from China’s Sichuan Normal University have introduced a real options-based framework to evaluate investments in large-scale liquid air energy storage (LAES).Their work builds on previous research, in which they presented a LAES system that stores electricity in the form of liquid air or nitrogen cryogenic temperatures. “In…

The French energy company said its 100 kW agrivoltaic installation linked to cow farming in France’s Puy-de-Dôme region has not changed the functioning of the pasture or the behavior of the animals. October 7, 2024 Gwénaëlle DeboutteBy pv magazine FranceEngie Green, part of French energy giant Engie, has been operating a vertical agrivoltaic demonstrator on the grounds of the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRAE) in Laqueuille, Puy-de-Dôme department, in the Auvergne for the past two years. Rhône-Alpes region in the center of France.The choice for this photovoltaic technology was made because of the production profile, where the solar power…

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a 40-year-old precedent that said those with expertise in federal agencies should interpret ambiguous laws passed by Congress. By 6-3 votes, Runner Bright Enterprises against Raimondo reversed the decision Chevron USA vs. Natural Resources Defense Council, a 1984 case known as the “Chevron Doctrine.” Runner Clear now allows federal district court judges to use their own judgment instead of the subject matter experts at federal agencies. Overturning the Chevron Doctrine, a longstanding goal of the fossil fuel industry and anti-regulation advocates, will likely lead to challenges to many older laws under the sway…

The new Fidra Energy team. Image: Fidra Energie. Institutional energy investment company EIG today (October 7) announced the launch of a new battery energy storage systems (BESS) developer, Fidra Energy. Fidra Energy is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, and aims to have 10 GW of BESS projects in the UK and Europe by 2030. To date, Fidra Energy has a development pipeline of 3.15 GW in Britain. The largest of these projects is the 1.45 GW Thorpe Marsadh project, which will start construction in South Yorkshire next year and, when completed, will be the largest BESS project in Europe. In addition,…

The French cable manufacturer unveiled new low-carbon products for large-scale PV projects. October 7, 2024 Gwénaëlle DeboutteBy pv magazine FranceFrench cable manufacturer Nexans has launched a low-carbon product for large-scale PV projects.Cables are often seen as a commodity, only considered at the end of a project. However, Nexans argues that they are precisely one of the elements that can influence the economic profitability and CO2 impact of a photovoltaic project, especially in France, where strict carbon footprint rules apply to utility-scale PV tenders.“In general, the developer adjusts its cable based on the peak load of its photovoltaic installation, which is…

A new report from Fraunhofer ISE shows that the cost of PV systems in Germany is currently between €700/kW and €2,000/kW. The research also shows that the levelized energy costs of solar energy plus storage range from €0.06/kWh to €0.225/kWh. October 7, 2024 Emiliano BelliniThe levelized energy cost (LCOE) of solar PV in Germany currently ranges from €0.041 ($0.049)/kWh to €0.144/kWh, according to a new report from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE).This means that solar energy is the cheapest source of electricity in the country, followed by wind energy, whose LCOE was found to range from…

Lithuania-based Soliport has built what it claims is the largest solar carport in the Baltics. The 250 kW system is connected to 44 electric vehicle charging points and injects only a small part of the electricity generated into the grid. October 7, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Lithuania-based Soliport has commissioned a 250 kW solar carport 40 charging points for electric vehicles (EV).The company claims that the system currently is the largest power plant installed above parking lots in the Baltic stateS.“Although the PV carport is connected to the electricity grid, only a small part of the electricity generated is supplied to…

Snake box has released a new cable management system for messenger wires on solar projects. The Solar Snake Max for Single Messenger Wire complies with NEC 310.15 for cable separation, allowing the cables to operate efficiently and potentially deliver up to 30 Wh per meter more energy, the company says, which is better than that of slotted or bundled cables. The above-ground design of Snake Tray’s new cable manager requires no cable derating and offers easy installation and maintenance. The system’s open and adjustable clicks are suitable for cables of any size up to 1,250 Kcmil. Components snap together easily…

Solar-powered water pumps are one of the most important ways for off-grid communities to access water cheaply and cleanly. Standards are needed to keep this market growing and the IEC is working on the right specifications. October 7, 2024 International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)Solar PV pumps help communities access water in remote areas without an electricity grid.In a small village in Ethiopia, women and girls had to walk miles to collect water from remote ponds and rivers. Waste of time that could not be spent in school, which took its toll on the education of younger women. But this all changed…