Author: solarenergy
A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that solar has continued its decade-long streak as the nation’s fastest-growing source of electricity. In its latest monthly ‘Electric Power Monthly’ report (with data through April 30, 2024), EIA says that the combination of utility-scale solar and small-scale solar (e.g. on rooftops) will increase by 25.4% increased compared to the first third of 2023. Small-scale solar alone grew by 19.3%, while utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaics grew by 28.4% – significantly faster than any other energy source then. As a result,…
The updated IEA PVPS Task 12 Fact Sheet provides a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts associated with PV systems. It highlights the significant advances made in PV technology, with an emphasis on improved efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint. June 27, 2024 IEA-PVPSIEA PVPS Task 12 (PV Sustainability Activity) has released an updated version Fact sheet, which sheds light on the environmental impacts of photovoltaic (PV) electricity. This fact sheet, entitled “Environmental life cycle analysis of electricity from PV systems“, provides crucial insights into the sustainability of PV systems and highlights important developments and current data in the field…
The company has faced major challenges in recent months. Image: Harmony energy Harmony Energy Income Trust (HEIT), a leading battery energy storage systems (BESS) investment company, has announced its interim results for the six months to April 30, 2024. While operating turnover increased to £8 million, compared to £2.3 million in the same period last year, the company’s Net Asset Value (NAV) has fallen by £43.59 million since October 2023. Norman Crighton, Chairman of Harmony Energy Income Trust said: “The company is at a pivotal stage in its development cycle as an Investment Trust. Over the coming months, our final…
In addition to the production of sustainable electricity, solar energy can also enable the clean production of hydrogen. Its potential in various applications is being assessed by various teams of researchers around the world. Adrian Pennington reports on some of this research and development and how IEC standards can help in the third of the IEC columns for pv magazine June 27, 2024 International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)Hydrogen (H2) is considered a promising source of clean energy if it can be produced carbon-free from start to finish. To be able to do this at a reasonable price remains an enormous challenge.…
Common sense tells us that a country like Britain, famous for its drizzly climate and cloudy skies, would struggle to be considered a global solar superpower. Yet current deployment rates, national targets and investments suggest this is the direction we are heading. In fact, our solar sector is booming, with 15.8 GW currently deployed and aiming to reach 70 GW by 2035 (an almost fivefold increase from where we are today). While it’s an ambitious target, it’s also achievable when you consider the size of the current UK solar industry, which saw a record-breaking increase in rooftop solar by 2023.…
Participating companies will be able to increase their sustainability, reduce consumption costs and potentially sell excess energy back to the grid. Image: MCS. Energy Assets Net Zero (EA NZ), part of the Energy Assets group, has launched a new asset adoption package to design, install and maintain solar PV systems for commercial and industrial customers at no upfront cost. Companies and government-funded organizations will be able to install solar panels without any upfront costs. EA NZ will design, install and maintain the solar panels, charging a monthly rental payment, with end users having control over the power generated. The UK…
Amid the urgent need to tackle climate change, the idea of carbon credits has received a lot of attention. Carbon credits are transferable permits that allow companies and entities to offset their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in initiatives that reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases from the environment. However, not all industries are eligible for carbon credits, and understanding the qualifying sectors is essential for companies looking to take advantage of this growing market. Recent analyzes indicate that the global carbon credit market is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2027, driven by growing awareness…
Solar energy will be the Vatican’s sole energy source, Pope decides Pope Francis has ordered the Vatican to install a solar power plant that will provide electricity to the entire city-state as the pontiff does his part to tackle climate change. Francis, a longtime advocate of environmental protection, issued an official letter on Wednesday demanding the creation of an “agrivoltaic” factory in Santa Maria di Galeria, an extraterritorial area of Vatican City north of Rome. Agrivoltaic projects combine solar energy production and agriculture, with panels usually installed over fields or pastures. “We must transition to a model of sustainable development…
Scientists in Spain have implemented recursive least squares (RLS) algorithms for detecting anomalies in PV systems and have found that they can provide a “more realistic and meaningful assessment” than traditional energy analyses. June 27, 2024 Lior KahanaA group of Spanish researchers have developed two new methodologies for the detection of abnormal operation of photovoltaic systems, based on minimal data requirements. The first is intended to identify sudden short-term efficiency losses, while the second is a long-term technique designed to monitor the degradation of a plant.“The manuscript introduces two different methodologies using supervised machine learning (ML) techniques,” the academics said.…
Chinese battery manufacturer CATL is expanding its presence in the Middle East and Europe through a 4 GWh long-term supply agreement with Israeli integrator BLEnergy. June 27, 2024 Marija Maisch From pv magazine ESS news placeAs part of its international expansion strategy, Israel’s BLEnergy has deepened its partnership with the world’s leading battery manufacturer CATL. With their latest 4 GWh supply agreement, the companies expand their partnership beyond Israel and the Middle East, focusing primarily on the growing European energy storage market. “We are pleased to extend the successful inter-party cooperation from Israel to Europe [this] represents an important step…