Magazine Archive

George Touloupas, senior director of technology and quality for Clean Energy Associates (CEA), analyzes the February 2024 energy-yield results from the outdoor testing field in Xi’an, China.

There is huge PV potential to be found across Europe’s farmlands but in some respects, it is a segment still at the germination stage. Recent regulatory activity in Italy could fuel progress, as pv magazine learned when it caught up with industry expert Oltis Dallto to discuss the evolution of agrivoltaics.

The year 2023 set a record for renewables power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Europe and the most optimistic industry analysts forecast 25% growth in 2024. While Spain has long been the continent’s PPA leader, it could soon be knocked off its perch as other regions ramp up their plans.

As rising renewables penetration and electrification place ever more strain on the world’s grids, the use of grid-forming inverters, rather than grid-following models, will play a vital role in network stability.

Starting an energy community typically requires many actors, a lot of effort, and the negotiation of complex permitting and implementation processes. Italy is an early mover and new legislation to streamline the process could soon drive an increase in energy community volume.

There has been a strong European contribution to solar’s record run as the continent has battled high energy prices and fear of scarcity by piling on modules. Easy wins were won before “grid congestion” was even a well-known phrase, leading to a struggle with electricity system operators to allow grid connections. PV projects are now ready to go but getting their power into the grid is another matter.

Vinay Rustagi, senior director of renewables at risk-management business Crisil, considers the prospects of an ambitious $9 billion policy that India hopes will breathe life into its dormant home solar market.

Contrary to expectations, module prices fell again in March 2024. For mainstream modules, that may be down to high inventory levels in Europe but there can be no rational explanation for ever-cheaper tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), heterojunction (HJT), or back-contact products, argues Martin Schachinger.

With Central Asian nations facing a looming energy deficit, calls have been made for the region to take a unified approach, rather than each state focusing on the development of its own solar industry.

While coupling battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewables is increasingly common in the United States, co-location has been slow to gain traction in Europe. A range of practical challenges has hindered the commitment of developers and investors but the growing share of solar and wind energy, and policy support in some parts of Europe, are making the business case increasingly appealing.