Author: solarenergy

In a new weekly update for pv magazineSolcast, a DNV company, reports that Rio de Janeiro recorded the sunniest June in more than 18 years, with solar radiation 15% above the long-term average. This was part of a band of above-average sunshine that stretched through Bolivia, Paraguay and parts of Brazil. Conversely, southern Argentina saw a drop in insolation up to 30% below the long-term average, while experiencing its cloudiest June during the same period. July 19, 2024 SolcastThe shift in the jet stream in June has brought significant variations in weather conditions across South America. Rio de Janeiro experienced…

Researchers in Italy have designed a water source heat pump system intended to generate cooling, heating and hot water for domestic use in social housing stock built between 1970 and 1990. The new concept integrates photovoltaic thermal energy with thermal storage and promises a seasonal coefficient of performance of 5. July 19, 2024 Emiliano BelliniA group of researchers led by the Sapienza University of Rome has developed a new water source heat pump system (WSHP) that integrates photovoltaic thermal energy (PVT) and thermal energy storage (TES) for the production of integrated heating, cooling, domestic heating water production and electricity.The system…

Manufacturer of solar trackers Soltec unveiled a new foundation option for its SFOne single-axis solar tracker systems called 4×4. The mounting solution is designed to help single-axis solar trackers adapt to more terrains and locations while reducing land preparation work such as grading. A computer rendering of Soltec’s SFOne single-axis solar tracker using the company’s latest foundation solution, 4×4. 4×4 allows use on constant slopes up to 15% in both north-south and east-west layouts; and 4×4 functionality can adapt to non-constant slopes up to 20%. Soltec states in a press release that this functionality has been validated through field tests.…

Scanifly has partnered with SunRaise Technology to accelerate SLAs for residential solar leasing. Under the partnership, SunRaise can automatically pull milestone project data, such as site survey images, shade reports, CAD files and install punch lists, into their review queue from Scanifly’s software in real time. This eliminates the back-and-forth between contractors and SunRaise to collect the necessary data to unlock financing. The backbone of SunRaise’s confidence in Scanifly’s industry-leading accurate shade data is its proprietary Viewshed technology. The patented solution uses real-time, onsite drone data that is automatically scaled to produce a 3D scene and digitally simulate bankable shade…

A pilot computer program based at Europe’s largest electric utility, Iberdrola, found that some quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms matched or outperformed existing benchmarks for optimal grid battery placement. July 19, 2024 Tristan Rayner Iberdrola’s large battery at the Campo Arañuelo site in SpainImage: IberdrolaBy ESS newsSpanish energy giant Iberdrola has tested quantum computing to optimize the deployment of large-scale batteries in the electricity grid in terms of cost, voltage control and reliability. Accurately modeling large-scale networks and the elements of renewables and storage are notoriously strenuous tasks for classical computing.A ten-month pilot program between i-DE, Iberdrola’s distribution company in Spain,…

The British technology company has launched Endurance, an electric transport refrigeration system with integrated battery and solar energy. It is built to compete with diesel-powered systems. July 19, 2024 Valerie ThompsonGreat Britain established Solar change has launched Endurance, an electric transport refrigeration system with integrated battery and solar energy. It is built to fit a variety of transport trailers and compete with diesel-powered systems.Endurance is a purpose-built solar and battery-powered transport refrigeration unit (TRU), developed in-house by Sunswap, that enables frozen, refrigerated and multi-temperature configurations. It is described as a shift away from traditional diesel technology for cold storage transportation.…

The PPA covers the 80MW Scurf Dyke site and the adjacent 8MW battery energy storage system near Driffield. Image: Statkraft. Renewable energy generator Statkraft has signed a ten-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with international investor FP Lux Group, advised by re:cap Global Investors ag. This agreement includes the 80.6MW Scurf Dyke Solar Farm – one of the UK’s largest – and an adjacent 8MW battery energy storage system (BESS) near Driffield in East Riding of Yorkshire. The Scurf Dyke solar farm was project funded, so it was essential to provide a clear route to market for the energy generated and…

The Serbian government gives the green light to the disputed lithium mining project The Serbian government on Tuesday gave permission to restart operations at a disputed lithium mining project in Rio Tinto, days after a court ruling overturned measures to halt the project. “The government… is taking measures to restore the rule of law in the state that existed before the adoption of the regulation that was declared unconstitutional,” a Serbian government statement said. The decision follows a Constitutional Court ruling last week, which said a 2022 government decision to revoke permits granted to the Anglo-Australian mining giant was “not…

Despite global overcapacity, several factors may contribute to a slight increase in solar panel prices in Brazil, with shipping costs and tax exemption quotas on imported PV modules playing a key role. July 18, 2024 Lívia Neves and Alessandra Neris By pv magazine BrazilAccording to PV InfoLink, Brazil imported approximately 10.1 GW of PV modules between January and May. This capacity, worth $1.2 billion, exceeds the $1.13 billion import quota set by Brazilian authorities for a 9.6% import duty exemption on solar panels from January to June 2024.The next round of duty-free import quotas is set at $1.014 billion from…

Mission Solar has developed solar panels for C&I, utility-scale PV projects. The American manufacturer now offers large format bifacial solar panels for larger projects. July 17, 2024 Ryan KennedyBy pv magazine USAMission Solar Energy, a solar panel manufacturer that has recently focused on the residential market, announced that it has expanded its offerings with a new line of solar panels designed for commercial and industrial (C&I) and utility-scale project applications.“Mission Solar Energy is excited to re-enter the C&I/utility segment,” said Sam Martens, chairman of Mission Solar Energy. “We have a history in this area and launched our business by supplying…