Author: solarenergy
US-based Sunstall has implemented a vertical agrivoltaic facility based on its racking solution in the United States. The system consists of 18 rows of 21 panels and has a total power of 170 kW. April 11, 2024 Lior KahanaUS-based startup Sunstall has installed an agrivoltaic system based on its proprietary racking solution for vertical PV installations.The solar panels are part of a research project conducted by Rutgers University in New Jersey. The south-facing system consists of 18 rows of 21 panels with a total capacity of 170 kW.“Rutgers selected ZnShine 450W bifacial solar panels with a bifacial score of 70%,”…
The Australian Federal Government’s initiative to install 400 community batteries across the country has reached the Australian Capital Territory, with plans for three new battery energy storage systems. April 24, 2024 David CarollBy pv magazine AustraliaThree new community batteries with a capacity of 160 kW/440 kWh will be installed in Canberra in the coming months as the Australian Federal Government has committed AUD 1.5 million ($960,000) to funding the projects.The batteries will be owned and operated by Australian Capital Territory (ACT) network owner Evoenergy. They will be installed in the Canberra suburbs of Casey, Dickson and Fadden.Australian Energy Minister Chris…
California-based perovskite technology pioneer Caelux today announced the appointment of Charlie Hasselbrink as the company’s new CTO. This follows the closing of a $12 million Series A3 financing round led by a global investment firm Temasek early this month.Hasselbrink is an excellent technologist known for identifying organizational and technical gaps and quickly implementing the systems and processes necessary to achieve organizational results. With an excellent track record of managing large-scale development programs, Hasselbrink leverages predictive analytics to accelerate product innovation and increase customer engagement. His visionary leadership transcends technological advancement; it also includes talent development, cultivates a culture of mentorship…
SolarEdge will comply with PTSI regulations regarding cybersecurity. Image: SolarEdge SolarEdge has announced that its entire product portfolio is compliant with the UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regulations. Britain’s new PSTI regulatory program, which comes into effect on April 29, aims to make internet-connectable products more secure, amid growing awareness of cybersecurity threats. All manufacturers of connected consumer devices – including renewable energy and solar infrastructure – must meet a new set of cybersecurity requirements designed to address security threats or eliminate potential security vulnerabilities. Zvi Lando, CEO of SolarEdge Technologies, said: “Just as advances in security have…
The Bath leisure center receives government funding from SPSF for rooftop solar energy. Image: Viridian Solar Bath & North East Somerset Council has received £173,166 in UK government funding to install solar energy on top of the Bath Sports & Leisure Centre. The council has applied for this funding from Phase II (Capital) of the government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF), which funds capital investments to improve the energy efficiency of public facilities with swimming pools. A photovoltaic (PV) system of up to 212 kWp will be installed on the central roof of the leisure center, subject to approval by…
Irish authorities have presented a new scheme that will allow homeowners to borrow between €5,000 and €75,000 for a period of up to ten years, at low interest rates. Heat pumps, solar energy and solar boiler installations are all eligible for the scheme. April 25, 2024 Patrick JowettThe Irish government has launched a home energy upgrade loan program to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.The €500 million scheme has been announced as the first of its kind in Ireland. It offers homeowners the opportunity to borrow between €5,000 and €75,000 with a term of up to 10 years…
Solar Power World has dedicated its March 2024 coverage to installation tips for solar contractors big and small. You can read the rest of our Q&As in the magazine and online here. For insight into the “installation aid” segment, SPW talked with Brad Knudsen, product marketing manager at Scanifly, about how drones and advanced aerial imagery have transformed residential solar design and installation. How does using drones and aerial imagery help solar contractors in eventual hands-on installation? Using photogrammetry-derived measurements from geotagged drone data ensures that final designs and engineering documents are perfectly accurate — no change orders or revisions…
On April 25, 1954, American researchers presented the first prototype of a usable solar panel. The return at the time was around 6%. A lot has happened since then. April 25, 2024 pv magazineBy pv magazine GermanyExactly 70 years ago today, scientists from Bell Labs in the US state of New Jersey presented the first practical ‘solar battery’ to the public. The New York Times reported at the time that “this invention could mark the beginning of a new era – harnessing the virtually limitless energy of the sun for human civilization.”However, it took decades for this vision to become…
The project combines solar energy, onshore wind energy and battery storage. Image: Fred. Olsen renewable energy sources. Oslo-based sustainable developer Fred. Olsen Renewables has unveiled plans to develop a hybrid onshore wind, solar and battery energy storage project in Scotland. The project, which can generate 100MW of green energy, will be located in the Scottish Borders region and will involve the implementation of a £7 million community fund. Fred. Olsen has submitted plans for the Lees Hill Renewable Energy Park to the Scottish Government, with the project already under public consultation since 2022. The submitted proposals include six turbines up…
The photovoltaic industry is literally built on steel. As a critical component of racking and trackers for solar PV systems, a reliable steel supply is a necessity for the transition to solar energy. And as a material, steel is the most sustainable choice for mounting systems that ensure fair production a third of emissions per kilo of aluminum. The steel industry is also working on sustainability in other ways, for example by using protective coatings made with vegetable oils instead of fossil fuel oil. But the sustainability relationship is not one-sided: solar energy is also becoming increasingly important for the…