Author: solarenergy
A China-based research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 147 studies on how solar PV systems change land surface processes, covering 609 installations worldwide and 11 key climate variables. The results show mixed but mostly significant environmental effects, including reduced wind speed, albedo and land surface or soil temperatures, in addition to increased soil moisture, while changes in air temperature remained largely insignificant. May 7, 2026 Lior Kahana A research team from China conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of land surface process changes associated with solar PV systems. “The key questions addressed in this systematic review are:…
By Martin McConnell April 6, 2026 Built to last since 1955, bringing security to tracker supply with nationwide manufacturing. We deliver! This week on Projects Weekly, SUNation Energy has installed its 10,000th solar system on New York’s Long Island. Also in the Empire State, Dimension Energy has closed on community solar financing for a suite of 25 projects across New York, as well as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Commercial solar giant Altus Power has also energized its San Manuel Landing solar project in California, and Stellar Solar Commercial is now powering a set of apartment units near San Diego.…
The Portuguese manufacturer unveiled Maxi-Lock, an autonomous hydraulic mechanism that locks solar trackers during strong wind gusts or high-amplitude vibrations, and Smart-Slope, a universal joint system designed for uneven terrain. The company claims that the technologies can reduce supply and maintenance costs, reduce the number of components, improve plant availability and enable better integration of PV modules in both conventional and agrivoltaic projects. May 7, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine Spain Portuguese tracker manufacturer AlphaTracker has developed and patented an autonomous hydraulic mechanism that blocks the movement of solar trackers during strong wind gusts or high-amplitude vibrations, preventing…
An international research team has proposed integrating photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors, borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) and a dual-source heat pump (DSHP) into a single hybrid energy system designed to provide space heating for livestock sheds. The concept combines three complementary technologies to improve overall efficiency and reduce dependence on conventional fossil fuel heating. “The integrated system makes it possible to heat livestock stables by virtually eliminating electricity consumption,” said the study’s lead author, Francesco Tinti, pv magazine. “The PVT provides electrical energy, but also thermal energy to be stored in the BTES; the BTES allows the recovery of thermal…
Lade GmbH has unveiled an AC system that supports charging up to 22 kW in both single-phase and three-phase configurations. The hardware is already designed to enable bi-directional charging in large-scale charging parks. May 7, 2026 Sandra Enkhardt By pv magazine Germany German startup Lade Gmbh has launched a scalable AC system that promises to enable the rapid implementation of large-scale charging infrastructure projects. The AC system supports single and three-phase charging up to 22 kW and is prepared for bi-directional charging. According to the company, the Lade One system integrates wallboxes, cabling, control units and energy management functions. It…
By Brad Kramer April 7, 2026 kWh Analytics has launched a pilot data sharing program to reward renewable energy sources for efforts to mitigate extreme weather events. The company is expanding its risk modeling capabilities by using data from solar projects that employ advanced resiliency measures that go beyond the information typically captured in standard insurance submissions. The initial focus of the pilot is to improve the way project-level resilience data is captured and communicated to insurance companies. Advances in tracker technology, including 70+ degree stowage capabilities, automated stowage procedures and the increasing availability of historical stowage performance data, are…
Harmony-F solar floors can withstand evenly distributed loads of at least 2 tons and have a hardness above 7 on the Mohs scale, which indicates high resistance to wear and tear. May 6, 2026 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine Spain Chinese manufacturer Arctech has launched the Harmony-F Solar Flooring photovoltaic paving system in Europe. The off-grid solution is designed to generate renewable energy on walkable surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways and the exterior of buildings. Harmony-F integrates solar panels with a reinforced surface layer into a structure that can withstand evenly distributed loads of at least 2 tons. It…
The off-grid solar project, which includes 31.85 MW of solar energy connected to 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage, will provide energy to more than 90,000 people in eastern Angola. May 6, 2026 Patrick Jowett Portuguese group MCA has inaugurated a 31.85 MW off-grid solar park in Angola, coupled with 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage. The Luau photovoltaic park is now the largest off-grid solar park in Africa, surpassing the record previously set by MCA’s Cazombo solar park, also in Angola, which came online late last year. The project was designed and built by MCA, with Angolan state-owned electricity…
Dutch-German quality assurance company Sinovoltaics has released a free browser-based tool that generates project-specific reliability testing strategies for large-scale solar projects, prioritizes recommended laboratory tests and produces downloadable scope reports. May 6, 2026 Brian Publicover Sinovoltaics has launched PV Lab Test Advisor, a web-based tool that builds project-specific reliability tests for utility-scale PV projects. Available free of charge to developers, independent power producers and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors at labadvisor.sinovoltaics.com, the tool generates a recommended test range as a downloadable PDF based on project-specific input. The tool is designed to replace test scopes that have been copied from…
By Martin McConnell May 6, 2026 Add to three other solar panels nearby Disney property in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the company’s newest solar installation has reached its limits Walt Disney World Resort about the proverbial turning point of the sun. The 74.5 MW facility was energized in late April and covers approximately 1,000 acres (484 hectares) in Levy County, Florida, approximately 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of Walt Disney World itself. Built and now operated by Bronson Solar of Levy County and the Central Florida Tourism Supervisory Districtthe site is helping Disney diversify its solar energy purchasing into multiple…