Metrel releases safety tester for 1,500 V PV installations
Metrel says its new safety-analysis tool can measure the insulation resistance of strings, the continuity of protective earth conductors, and I/U characteristics, among other features.
Massachusetts expands solar net metering, bucking a national trend
Massachusetts expanded access to net metering, showing a commitment to distributed energy. The Department of Public Utilities expects to save ratepayers $10 million with the regulatory change.
Solar producers across Northern Asia miss out on El Nino generation bump
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that solar producers in several provinces of Central China benefited from clearer than normal conditions in December and particularly February, bringing up the average to 20% more than expected. Furthermore, Solcast analysis reveals that, during the same period, Korea and Southern Japan saw consistently cloudier conditions than in normal years, decreasing irradiance and solar potential across the region.
Zendure offers PV-plus-storage solution for balconies
US startup Zendure says its new AIO 2400 package includes two solar panels with power outputs of 800 W, an 800 W microinverter, a 2.4 kWh plug-and-play storage system, and a management platform.
Indian government approves $9 billion rebate scheme for residential PV
India’s residential rooftop solar scheme provides central financial assistance (CFA) equating to 60% of system costs for 2 kW systems and 40% of the additional costs for systems between 2 kW and 3 kW of capacity. The CFA will be capped at 3 kW.
Pneumatic PV facade with solar trackers
A group of researchers in Germany has designed a novel PV façade using two actuators that allow bending in two directions. The PV functionalization of FlectoSol aims for an energy self-sufficient shading system.
1komma5° acquires Australia’s Arkana Energy
German solar tech developer 1komma5° has strengthened its presence in the Australian market with the acquisition of Arkana Energy Group.
Aerocompact releases new portrait mounting system
Austrian manufacturer Aerocompact has developed the SN2 Q PLUS solar mounting system, which can support PV modules measuring up to 1,310 mm x 2,500 mm. It has an installation angle of between 5 degrees and 10 degrees.
New approach to improve MPPT in partially shaded PV systems operating at high temperatures
The novel methodology is reportedly able to track global maximum power point and reduce power losses in partially shaded PV systems by up to 33%. It uses a backstepping controller (BSC) algorithm to adjust the pulse width modulation signal and a genetic algorithm to compute the BSC gains to achieve an optimal PV system outcome.
US solar up 52% in 2023 as nation deploys 35.3 GW of capacity
BloombergNEF says US clean energy generation grew by 0.9% in 2023. Wind and hydro generation fell, while solar generation grew by 15.4%.
