Author: solarenergy
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…
The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Program (PVPS) finds measurable progress in PV module recycling performance compared to previous studies, including higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity. May 6, 2026 Patrick Jowett Recycling PV modules is making “meaningful progress” in both commercial and pilot-scale technologies, according to a new report from the IEA-PVPS. The final task 12 report presents new and updated Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data. Sources include two US-based commercial crystalline silicon (c-Si) recyclers, Solar cycle and SPR, Italian pilot-scale c-Si module recycler 9-Techthe EU-funded Photorama project…
Norway’s Flex2Future, in collaboration with research agency SINTEF, has started testing a scaled-down model of its offshore energy system. The startup’s CEO says the system, which integrates solar, wave and wind energy, can provide power at a relatively low cost per kWh. May 6, 2026 Lior Kahana The reduced model of Flex2Future Image: SINTEF Norwegian startup Flex2Future has started testing its offshore energy system that integrates solar, wave and wind energy. The company used a test ocean basin from Norwegian research agency SINTEF to test a scaled-down model of its structure. George Katsikogiannis, project manager and scientist for Ships and…