Author: solarenergy

EDF renewable energy sources A review by the SUN DAY campaign of semi-annual data just released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) shows that the mix of renewable energy sources (i.e. biomass, geothermal, hydro, solar, wind) now amounts to 30% of total US electricity generation capacity. In addition, June marked the tenth consecutive month in which solar was the largest source of new capacity, putting the country on track to become the nation’s second-largest source of capacity within three years – behind only natural gas. Renewables made up 99% of new generation capacity in June and 91% in the…

In this week’s column, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) explains why mentoring can be a powerful tool to combat contemporary issues such as the gender pay gap, leadership inequality and widespread gender bias, both conscious and unconscious. August 23, 2024 Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu)Mentoring has become a powerful tool to combat modern issues such as the gender pay gap, leadership inequality and widespread gender bias, both conscious and unconscious. It plays a crucial role in personal and professional development, promoting growth and creating a more supportive and effective workplace and company culture for everyone. Research shows that 75% of…

Researchers from Canada’s Western University have developed an open-source, blockchain-based virtual utility for peer-to-peer (P2P) solar trading, using smart contracts to save up to $1,600 (US dollars) for 10 homes in simulated scenarios. August 23, 2024 Lior KahanaScientists from Canada’s Western University have designed a new open-source autonomous virtual utility to monitor PV users and enable P2P trading. Their SolarXchange A system based on blockchain technology creates smart contracts on its own and facilitates transactions between users on an hourly basis. “We are very interested in working with forward-looking electric utilities that want to enable widespread distributed solar generation and…

Researchers covered part of a rooftop solar power plant with different numbers of layers of shade cloth to measure their power, current and voltage. They were able to identify a point after which the value of the system current and maximum power is no longer sensitive to the severity of the shadow. August 23, 2024 Lior KahanaA group of scientists from India’s Aligarh Muslim University conducted a field experiment to analyze the impact of shade heaviness on voltage, current and power on PV modules and strings.To measure the shade’s heaviness, the group used several layers of shade cloth to identify…

HySpex Payloads Successfully Complete Major Daily Stratospheric Flight Sceye, an aerospace company known for its expertise in materials science and High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), has announced the successful completion of a daily stratospheric flight, marking a major milestone toward long-duration flight on solar energy. The HAPS, launched from the Sceye facility in New Mexico on August 15 at 7:36 a.m. MST, landed the next day at 12:21 a.m. MST after successfully completing all flight test objectives. The mission demonstrated the potential of using solar power during the day and battery power at night, paving the way for continuous use for…

Scientists have used stearic acid and a combination of stearic acid and carbon black to increase thermal conductivity in a photovoltaic-thermal system linked to a heliostat field concentrator. From a temperature of 30 C at the inlet, they could heat the water to 59 C. August 23, 2024 Lior KahanaResearchers from Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology in Bangladesh have built and tested a heliostat field-integrated photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system supported by two different organic phase change materials (PCMs) to improve its thermal conductivity.PCMs are can absorb, store and release large amounts of latent heat within a certain temperature range and…

Nofar Energy has secured €110 million ($122.5 million) in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Raiffeisen Bank International to build two solar projects in Romania with a combined capacity of 300 MW. August 22, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Jadon Kelly, UnsplashIsraeli renewable energy company Nofar Energy has secured €110 million in financing to build and operate two solar power plants in southeastern Romania. The money comes from the EBRD and Vienna-based Raiffeisen Bank International. The EBRD provides a loan of €55 million, supplemented by the Raiffeisen Bank in two tranches of €25 million and €30…

Avantus (formerly 8minute) and Toyota Tsusho America have announced the start of construction of the 159 MWdirect current/125 MWAC Norton Solar Project in Runnels County, Texas. The issuance of a Notice to Proceed (NTP) follows Avantus’ sale of the Norton project in November 2023 to TAI, a 100% subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation of Japan, one of the Toyota Group Companies. TAI has also entered into a construction and term financing agreement with global financial group Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. The continued collaboration between Avantus and TAI underlines the value that Avantus and its portfolio can provide to leading, multinational…

Swiss consultancy Pexapark says European developers signed 24 power purchase agreements (PPAs) in July totaling 1,196 MW, with a capacity increase of 27% month-on-month, led by solar agreements such as Europe’s largest decentralized PPA for solar energy in France. August 22, 2024 Patrick JowettAccording to Pexapark’s latest report, European developers signed 24 PPAs for 1,196 MW in July.July ended with a 27% increase in PPA volume compared to Junewith 24 signed deals. Pexapark said this makes July the fourth strongest month of 2024 so far.Tracked PPA prices reached €51.60 ($57.38)/MWh in July, up 3.1% month-on-month. French and Scandinavian PPA prices…

Let it Shine: top solar energy projects worldwide Australia on Wednesday approved plans for a massive solar hub aimed at powering millions of homes domestically and supplying electricity to Singapore. The SunCable project is expected to produce 6 gigawatts (GW) and begin delivering power by 2030. Here’s a look at other major solar projects that have been announced, are under construction, or are already operating worldwide. Midong solar project, China Most of the largest operational solar farms are in China, which is adding renewable capacity at a pace that far outpaces the rest of the world. In June, the Midong…