New modular design for offshore floating photovoltaic platforms
A team of scientists from China and the United States studied ways to optimize floating photovoltaics for offshore use. It found that the robustness of the systems was influenced by the size and number of platforms, as well as the types of connections between platforms.
Tests show rooftop fires propagate slowly with vertical PV systems
New tests conducted by the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute have shown that vertical PV installations offer improved fire safety compared to conventional diagonal or flat solar arrays. The experiment showed, in particular, how rapidly a fire can propagate under inclined panels.
Quantifying effect of cooling, cleaning in PV systems operating under desert conditions
Scientists in Oman have analyzed the effect of soiling, cleaning, and water injection on the performance of PV panels in Oman. They have found the use of water for cooling may increase power yield by up to 23.9%.
Colombia’s large-scale PV capacity additions hit 207 MW in 2023
Colombia’s cumulative installed utility-scale PV capacity hit 486 MW at the end of December 2023, on 207 MW of new installations for the full year.
European Parliament approves legal requirement to install solar on buildings
Legislation that would require EU member states to integrate solar installations into future building works, and retroactively install PV on buildings, is one step closer to becoming law, after being approved by members of the European Parliament.
Belgium’s 2023 solar capacity additions hit 1.8 GW
Belgium’s cumulative installed PV capacity surpassed 10 GW at the end of December 2023.
Policy recommendations to support U.S. rooftop solar installations
Rooftop solar has the technical potential to serve 45% of electricity demand, based on 2022 demand levels, according to a new report from Environment America. As of that year, it served about 1.5% of consumed electricity.
Israel’s new PV installations hit 1.1 GW in 2023
Official data from the Electricity Authority of Israel show that the country installed 1,108 MW of new solar capacity in 2023. Renewable energy covered 12.5% of Israel’s electricity demand last year.
European roads, rails may host 403 GW of vertical PV
New research from the European Commission shows the huge potential of both monofacial and bifacial vertical PV when deployed along roads and rails. Their analysis reflected the limitation imposed by the road or rail direction at a given location for the orientation of the PV systems.
Austrian startup offers standardized system for solar bike roads
Austrian startup Mo Energy Systems has developed a standardized system for solar bike roads, featuring 12-meter-long structures with a variable width ranging from 2 meters to 4.5 meters. It includes anchoring, without the need for concrete or excavation work.
