Author: solarenergy

Three companies, including American startup Sol Clarity, are experimenting with electrodynamic screen systems to clean solar panels with minimal electricity and no water. July 12, 2024 John Fitzgerald WeaverBy pv magazine USASol Clarity is developing an electrodynamic screen (EDS), which statically charges dust particles and then sweeps them off the solar panels using an electromagnetic wave.The company is currently looking for investment partners to help scale its operations and is testing the technology on a community solar project in the northeastern United States.The video above shows the dust suddenly falling off the panels when the electromagnetic wave is activated.The US…

Building on research work at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology, Sinonus has developed carbon fiber-based structural batteries that not only store energy but also become an integral part of a product’s structure. Their possible energy density is reported to be approximately 25-50% of that of a conventional lithium-ion battery at current technology levels. July 12, 2024 Marija Maisch By ESS newsSinonus, a spin-out from Chalmers Technical University (CTU) in Sweden, has developed a unique carbon fiber material that can store electrical energy, enabling energy storage in existing structures for a variety of industries – from electric vehicles and aircraft to…

The Polish government has set out its main objectives for hydrogen development, while Tyczka Hydrogen says a damaged compressor from Maximator Hydrogen recently caused an incident at one of its gas stations in Germany. July 12, 2024 Sergio MatalucciPoland has released one strategic document which sets out the key objectives for hydrogen development, by creating incentives in the energy, transport and industrial sectors. In the energy and heating sector, the Polish government plans to support research and development over the next five years. In the transport sector, the government aims for at least 32 hydrogen filling stations by 2025 and…

Brookfield will initially invest more than $200 million in Leap Green Energy by subscribing for new shares and acquiring shares from current shareholders. July 12, 2024 Uma GuptaBy pv magazine IndiaBrookfield said it has signed definitive agreements to acquire a majority stake in Leap Green Energy, an Indian renewable energy company focused on the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment.Brookfield will initially invest more than $200 million in Leap Green by subscribing for new shares and acquiring shares from current shareholders. It has the option to add another $350 million in equity to support Leap Green’s growth.Brookfield will work with existing…

The Chinese government is launching an investigation to determine whether the European Union is blocking Chinese investments in solar energy. July 12, 2024 Vincent Shaw and Valerie ThompsonThe Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it has launched a trade and investment barriers investigation into the European Union’s actions towards Chinese companies under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation and its implementing rules. The investigation follows a request from the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products and will focus on four main product categories: railway locomotives, solar photovoltaics, wind power and safety inspection equipment. The…

A digital representation of one of GE Vernova’s FLEXINVERTER systems, which it will supply for the Sambar project. Image: GE Vernova. Varco Energy, a UK-based owner and operator of battery energy storage systems (BESS), has appointed GE Vernova to supply assets for a BESS project in Cornwall. The company acquired the Sambar Power project, located near Newquay, Cornwall, in April this year. Varco hopes to have the asset online in the second quarter of 2025; once completed, it will have a capacity of 47.5 MW, which could power the equivalent of 30,000 homes, according to Varco. GE Vernova’s Solar &…

US carbon credit insurance company Oka and Socotra, a provider of modern policy administration systems, have formed a strategic partnership focused on carbon markets and scaling climate solutions. This partnership combines Oka’s team and artificial intelligence (AI) with Socotra’s technology to reduce the risks associated with carbon credits. Within twelve months, Oka has launched two groundbreaking insurance solutions to meet urgent market demands. Corresponding Adjustment Protect is the world’s first insurance solution for voluntary credits traded in compliance markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Carbon Protect provides financial compensation for unforeseeable and unavoidable post-issuance risks, such as project…

A new paper shows that combining solar photovoltaics with arable farming can result in income gains over the life of a PV system in a wide range of locations across the UK. Researcher Aritra Ghosh explains pv magazine that the benefits of agrivoltaic energy are ‘multifaceted’. July 12, 2024 Matthew LynasResearchers studying the economic feasibility of agrivoltaics in the UK have found that installing PV on arable farms in many locations across the country could be feasible.Aritra Ghosh, one of the three authors of the paper, shared pv magazine that while he believes the paper draws good conclusions about the…

Statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show that if the world continues with a 14% annual growth in renewable energy capacity, as seen in 2023, it will fall 1.5 TW short of meeting the commitment objectives set at COP28. July 12, 2024 Patrick Jowett According to new statistics from IRENA, the world will need to expand renewable energy capacity by at least 16.4% per year until 2030 to meet the targets promised at COP28.IRENA’s latest report underlines a key risk: the world may not achieve its target of 11.2 TW by 2030. The report shows that renewable energy…

Residential solar installer Freedom Forever has completed an agreement to purchase assets from Meraki Solar and be the preferred provider of services to Meraki’s existing and newly signed solar customers. Under the partnership, Solar Pros, Freedom Forever’s largest sales partner, will be the exclusive partner of Meraki’s sales team. By acquiring Meraki’s asset portfolio, Freedom Forever will become the official subcontractor for Meraki’s existing customer base. “With the headwinds facing our industry, Freedom Forever sees this innovative partnership as a blueprint for many other companies considering a change in their business model,” said Brett Bouchy, CEO of Freedom Forever. “We…