How long do residential solar inverters last?
A range of different factors can affect the productive lifespan of residential solar inverters.
REC launches 470 W heterojunction solar panel with 22.6% efficiency
REC has developed a new series of heterojunction solar panels with efficiencies up to 22.6% and an operating temperature coefficient of -0.24% per degree Celsius.
The importance of solar mini-grids in universalizing energy access
In its latest monthly column for pv magazine, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) explains how to expand the deployment of mini-grids for electricity access, especially in less developed countries.
Agrivoltaic facilities with single-axis trackers have lower LCOE than those with fixed structures
New research from Belgium shows agrivoltaic facilities with trackers perform significantly better than projects with fixed structures. The scientists found projects with tracking achieved an LCOE of €0.077 ($0.082)/kWh, while facilities with fixed structures were found to have an LCOE of €0.10/kWh.
Real-time interface to reduce Netherlands’ grid congestion
All new PV plants over 1 MW in the Netherlands will have to use a real-time interface to make their facilities better communicate with the grid operator starting from next year. Utrecht-based Withthegrid, has developed an interface that is compatible with a number of brand-name inverters.
Bangladesh Jute Mills Corp. signs PPAs for 90 MW of rooftop PV
Bangladesh Jute Mills Corp. (BJMC), which manages all government-owned jute factories and industries in the South Asian country, has agreed to buy power from six different project developers under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
New control strategy for PV-powered water pumps operating under variable atmospheric conditions
Scientists in Turkey have developed a new algorithm to optimize the efficiency of PV-powered water pumps. The novel technique is based on the Extended Kalman–Bucy filter, which is a predictor-corrector algorithm used extensively in control systems engineering for estimating unmeasured states of a process.
PV-powered heat pumps with thermal, electrical storage
Italian researchers have looked at the potential of thermal and electrical energy storage to improve self-consumption rates in buildings when coupled with PV-powered heat pumps. They have concluded that such an approach could yield self-consumption rates of more than 80%.
Jetstream changes drive UK and Spain solar resource higher
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, presents the solar irradiance data it collected for Europe in August. The UK saw on average 110% of normal August irradiance, with values exceeding this in the north. Spain and Portugal received 10-20% more than normal, due to reduced cloud.
Key takeaways from Brazil’s Intersolar South America trade show
The 10th edition of Brazil’s Intersolar South America trade show grew from last year’s event in terms of exhibitors and visitors. The Brazilian solar market is now on track to maintain its position as one of the world’s largest, despite a slight contraction this year.
