Storm Boris delivers record rain, early snows across Europe
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that, as the storm Boris swept across Europe, snow began falling in some regions for the first time this season. The situation is now stabilizing as the system weakens and a high-pressure zone takes hold across the region.
Cape Verde inaugurates largest solar plant
Cape Verde has inaugurated a 5 MW solar array on Sal Island – its largest PV plant to date, according to the Ministry of Energy and Commerce.
Big solar parks more environmentally-friendly than middle-sized PV facilities
New research from Spain reveals that stricter environmental impact assessments of large scale PV plants contrasts with smaller solar parks, which are not subject to the same degree of restrictions. The review also highlighted the need for more cumulative and synergistic environmental impact assessments.
New tool optimizes ground works, PV tracker planning
Aplitop and Soltec have partnered to develop a computer-aided design (CAD) plugin application aimed at simplifying the planning process and reducing earth-moving operations, measurements, and the relocation of solar trackers in ground-mounted PV projects.
UK think tank predicts 593 GW of new global PV installations for 2024
UK-based energy think tank Ember says it expects 593 GW of solar to be added throughout the world this year – 29% more than in 2023. It says 292 GW were installed by the end of July.
GE Vernova releases 2,000 V (DC) utility-scale inverter
GE Vernova has developed a 2,000 V (DC) utility-scale inverter, to be used in a North American pilot operation starting in early 2025. The inverter offers up to 6.0 MVA of output power.
EDF, Masdar secure financing for 1.5 GW of solar near Abu Dhabi
EDF Renewables, Korea Western Power Co. (Kowepo), and Masdar have secured financing to build a 1.5 GW solar plant near Abu Dhabi, backed by a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Emirates Water and Electricity Co.
World now has five times more PV than nuclear power
Authors of the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2024 the world had 408 operational reactors producing 367 GW in the middle of the year, which is significantly less than installed capacity predictions for solar by the end of the year and five time less the world’s cumulative PV capacity, which is now approaching 2 TW.
New model for offshore floating PV system design
Researchers at TU Delft modelled a variety of offshore floating PV structures to uncover the design parameters that affect durability and yield..
Banking on batteries in Chile
The Chilean solar market is booming but as curtailment grows, a hybrid approach to generation is gaining ground. Storage project announcements are coming thick and fast as co-location with wind turbines offers cost efficiency and a smoother generation profile. Meanwhile, new capacity mechanism rules could take Chile one step closer to runaway battery growth.
