Author: solarenergy

Kinematics, a motion control manufacturer, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire P4Q, a company specializing in solar tracker controllers, industrial automation, sensors and cloud-based monitoring. Credit: P4Q Headquartered in Spain and with operations in Europe and the United States, P4Q specializes in the development of electronics for solar tracking controllers, technology that complements Kinematics’ actuation systems. By integrating P4Q’s capabilities into Kinematics portfolio of actuators, sensors and controllers, the combination will increase energy efficiency, reliability and precision to improve utility-scale solar production, Kinematics stated in a press release. “Signing this agreement is a pivotal moment for Kinematics as we…

PVHardware USA (PVH), a global solar tracker manufacturer based in Houston, is supplying its AxoneDuo Infinity solar trackers for Energix renewable energy sources’Northumberland Solar Project in Milton, Pennsylvania. Credit: PVHardware USA The 78 MW Northumberland Project, owned and operated by Energix, is poised to generate enough electricity to power more than 15,000 homes. PVH pre-assembles its trackers, reducing the number of components delivered to solar construction sites and shortening installation time. Additionally, 70% of PVH’s solar tracker components are manufactured in the United States, allowing solar project developers to meet domestic content qualifications. “Our partnership with Energix demonstrates the importance…

Barcelona City Council is piloting two prototype solar systems designed to provide shade, generate power and filter air. November 20, 2024 Pilar Sanchez Molina Image: Ajuntament de Barcelona By pv magazine Spain Barcelona City Council plans to test two solar prototypes that can generate photovoltaic energy while creating seasonal shade based on savings or protection needs. The prototypes will be installed in areas that are not suitable for trees or plant infrastructure, which the municipality calls ‘urban green’. The winning designs were selected through a competition for innovative photovoltaic solutions, promoted by BIT Habitat, the municipality’s urban innovation agency, with…

Castillo technique was selected by Recon Corporation to provide design and engineering services for two new community solar projects in Illinois, totaling 15 MWdirect current. The two 7.5 MW projects, part of the Illinois Shines of Adjustable Block Program, are located in the cities of Pontiac and Odell and will use single-axis trackers. Credit: Castillo Engineering The projects are expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2025 and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. This announcement comes after Castillo acquired a portfolio of three projects totaling 23 MW with Recon in the first quarter of 2024.…

Customers could earn up to €250 by participating. Image: SolarEdge. Smart energy technology company SolarEdge has launched a new flexible energy service in collaboration with software supplier Axle Energy. The new SolarEdge Flexible Grid Services program allows owners of SolarEdge home battery energy storage systems (BESS) to join a virtual power plant network (VPP). At times of peak demand on the UK electricity grid, Axle Energy’s software can automatically intervene to sell electricity stored in SolarEdge home batteries, helping customers earn up to £250 this winter. In addition, customers living in eligible areas of Great Britain can also participate in…

Britain has witnessed a steady increase in solar energy adoption in recent years. The combination of government incentives, technological advances and growing environmental awareness have fueled growth in the domestic and commercial markets. We have also seen new policy commitments, with the new government promising a “rooftop revolution”, which aims to triple Britain’s solar capacity by 2030. Since taking office, the government has also given the green light to 2 GW of solar farm capacity – more than the last 14 years combined. With even more eco-friendly policies set to come into effect in the coming years, there is tremendous…

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that U.S. companies are deploying record levels of solar and energy storage, according to the organization’s annual publication.Solar energy means doing business” report. “Some of the world’s largest industrial and data companies continue to turn to solar and storage as a reliable, low-cost way to power their operations,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “These industry giants are investing in solar energy through a wide range of applications, including on-site and off-site installations, on carports, combined with storage, or even as an anchor tenant for a community solar project.” Top…

Researchers in China have fabricated a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell that uses an indium oxide sputter buffer layer to protect the perovskite absorber and electron transport layer from potential damage due to the electrode deposition process. The new layer not only provided this protection, but also exhibited strong optical and electrical properties. November 20, 2024 Emiliano Bellini Researchers at Northwestern Polytechnical University in China have fabricated a semi-transparent perovskite-silicon tandem four-terminal solar cell (4T) based on an upper perovskite cell containing an indium oxide (In2O3) sputter buffer layer (SBL) deposited via a low-cost approach for industrial applications. SBLs are used…

ICRA, an Indian credit rating agency, says India could add 22 GW of solar capacity in fiscal 2025 and 27.5 GW in fiscal 2026, bringing the country’s total installed PV capacity to 131.5 GW by March 2026 coming, compared to 82 GW on March 31. 2024. November 20, 2024 Uma Gupta By pv magazine India ICRA, an Indian credit rating agency, said India’s renewable energy capacity could rise to 250 GW by March 2026, up from 201 GW by September 2024. This growth will be driven by an 80 GW project pipeline, following enhanced tendering in 2024. Solar capacity will…

Spanish researchers have designed an agrivoltaic system that integrates hydroponic towers. The modular setup, consisting of stackable 20 cm rings, creates a structure up to 2.5 meters high, optimized for growing approximately 80 plants per square meter. November 20, 2024 Pilar Sanchez Molina By pv magazine Spain The Electrical Machines and Drives Research Group (EM&D) of the National University of Colombia (UNAL) has developed a prototype system that integrates solar panels with hydroponic towers, allowing vegetables to grow using rainwater. “In this way, every square meter can be used to produce food and generate energy at the same time,” the…