Agrivoltaics for hedgerow olive orchards
Researchers in Spain have created a new model to accurately estimate oil production and energy generation in agrivoltaic facilities built in hedgerow olive orchards. The proposed approach also allows the generation of mathematical equations estimating the influence of the system design variable.
Cando Solar unveils frameless 450 W heterojunction PV panels with 22.6% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer says its new frameless heterojunction panels rely on busbarless technology and 210 mm wafers. The new products also feature a temperature coefficient -0.29%/C and weigh only 12.3 kg.
MIT scientists build PV-driven desalination system that reacts to changes in sunlight
The proposed brackish water desalination system uses photovoltaic electrodialysis to enable direct-drive desalination at high production rates. It already operated for 6 months on real brackish groundwater and was reportedly able to use 94% of the extracted PV energy.
Rooftop PV installations could raise daytime temperatures in urban environments by up to 1.5 C
New research from India shows that rooftop PV system may have “unintended” consequences on temperartures in urban environments. Rooftop arrays, for example, may potentially lower nighttime temperatures by up to 0.6 C.
Photovoltaics, control strategies have little impact on optimal heat pump size in retrofit buildings
New research from Germany shows that the optimal size of residential heat pumps in retrofit buildings can be achieved without factoring in their potential connection to a PV system and related control strategies. An optimal sizing strategy, by contrast, should not neglect electricity price assumptions.
Rooftop solar install rates dip below straight-line average in Australia
Australia’s rooftop solar installation rate has continued to cool for a second consecutive month with national market volumes in September down about 3% on August when 273 MW was installed.
Lithuania’s largest PV carport powering 44 EV chargers
Lithuania-based Soliport has built what it claims to be the largest solar carport in the Baltic states. The 250 kW system is connected to 44 electric vehicle charging points and injects only a small portion of the electricity it generates into the grid.
Engie reveals results of French vertical agrivoltaic demonstrator
The French energy company said its 100 kW agrivoltaic facility linked to cow farming in France’s Puy-de-Dôme region has not modified meadow functioning and animal behavior.
Helping the market of solar powered water pumps to thrive
Solar powered water pumps are one of the most important ways for off-grid communities to gain access to water cheaply and cleanly. Standards are required to enable this market to continue growing and the IEC is working on the appropriate specifications.
New IEA PVPS Handbook: A guide to proper solar resource data management
In its latest monthly column for pv magazine, IEA PVPS provides a comprehensive overview of the recently released fourth edition of the “Best Practices Handbook for the Collection and Use of Solar Resource Data”. The 530-page handbook, developed by IEA PVPS Task 16 in collaboration with NREL, elaborates on methods and models for accurately collecting solar data to plan and operate energy projects effectively.
