Optimizing photovoltaic systems: Best practices for economic, technical key performance indicators
As the global solar energy industry grows, so does the need for accurate monitoring of performance and financial viability. The latest report by IEA PVPS Task 13, “Best Practice Guidelines for the Use of Economic and Technical KPIs,” provides a comprehensive framework to address this issue. This article explores the importance, methodologies, and applications of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with a focus on their role in optimizing PV systems.
Miniature field testing shows alpine PV array performs better than expected
Researchers have constructed a miniature PV field at an altitude of 2,500 m in Switzerland. They tested it across 80 different positioning settings and compared the results to the guidelines provided by the Swiss government for a subsidy program. They found that the simulated yield was underestimated by up to 16%.
South Korea’s new solar installations hit 2.5 GW in 2024
South Korea installed 2.5 GW of new solar capacity in 2024, bringing its cumulative PV capacity to more than 29.5 GW, according to the Korean Energy Agency.
Negative electricity prices and grid bottlenecks in Europe threaten renewable energy targets
Analysts at Aurora Energy Research expect installed wind and PV capacity in Europe to more than triple by 2050, but expansion might not be enough to meet European climate targets.
Swiss startup offers demand side management software to manage energy flows
Swiss-based Hive Power has launched Flexo to optimize grid-connected devices, enabling flexibility in markets with dynamic tariffs. The Flexo solution has interfaces to integrate inverters, home energy management systems, charging point managements systems, meters, and other internet of things (IoT) devices.
Laser tools for solar pylon, tracker alignment
Laser Tools Co. updated its laser-guided toolkits for ground-mounted solar installations.
Masdar, EWEC announce 5 GW/19 GWh solar-plus-storage project in Abu Dhabi
Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC) plan to build a $6 billion, 5 GW/19 GWh solar-plus-storage project in Abu Dhabi, with operations set to start by 2027.
Latin America’s largest PV plant expands to 1.6 GW
Elera Renováveis has commissioned the third phase of the 1.6 GW Janaúba solar complex in Brazil. The facility, which went online this week, consists of 27 solar parks spread across 3,800 hectares.
Taiwan to add 8.2 GW of solar, offshore wind by end of 2026
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) has launched a wind and solar energy improvement plan in a bid to reach an existing target of 20 GW of deployed solar by the end of next year.
Solar accounts for 11.9% of Belgium’s 2024 electricity mix
Belgian electricity system operator Elia says solar was the leading source of renewable energy in Belgium’s electricity mix in 2024. Total solar energy generation in the country reached new highs last year, totaling 8.3 TWh.
