Articles written by Tristan Rayner

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Markets & Policy
The weekend read: Europe’s inverted solar ambition Solar inverter makers in Europe continue to ship a healthy proportion of the world’s premium string and central inverters, despite shrinking margins as Chinese competition grows. But the Europeans aren’t simply waiting around…
Tristan Rayner
Jul 09, 2022
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Inverted ambition Inverter makers in Europe continue to ship a healthy proportion of the world’s premium string and central inverters, despite shrinking margins as Chinese competition grows. But the Europeans aren’t simply waiting around…
Tristan Rayner
Jun 24, 2022
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Big data steps in US-based semiconductor manufacturer Intel is one of the biggest chipmakers on the planet and is working on net-zero by 2040 targets. But it’s also looking outward, aiming to modernize grids at the utility-level. Mike Bates, general manager of Intel’s energy vertical, sat down with Tristan Rayner to discuss Intel’s solution for grid-level monitoring and control for utility customers. The aim is to allow for “unlimited” renewables to be added without bottlenecks, and coalitions of grid operators across the globe are forming.
Tristan Rayner
Jun 24, 2022
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Applications & Installations
Smarter E Products: Gamesa Electric presents new central PV inverter Gamesa Electric’s new Proteus PV inverter represents an upgrade over the previous Gamesa Electric 3X series. It has an output of up to 4,700 kVA and is compatible with DC/ESS interfaces for the connection of storage energy systems.
Tristan Rayner
May 12, 2022
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genap energy cover in situ on a reservoir in The Netherlands
Applications & Installations
Lightweight solar for agricultural water reservoirs The Genap Energy Cover uses HyET Solar Powerfoil thin-film solar modules, rated at 12.0% efficiency, for agricultural water storage and reservoirs, with an initial focus on the greenhouse and horticulture markets in the Netherlands. Genap said a 12kWp test setup had a generation density of 60W/m2, rising to 120W/m2 within a year, with an eventual target of 165W/m2.
Tristan Rayner
Apr 07, 2022
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Tapping the data trail US-based energy tech company Enphase Energy appears to have overcome the adversity it faced in the mid-2010s, when it was grappling with competition from string inverters and slower growth in the residential segment. Now that rooftop solar is hot again, Enphase’s co-founder and chief product officer, Raghu Belur, sat down with Tristan Rayner to discuss the microinverter pioneer’s approach to quality in a time of rapid change and the growing utility of connected devices.
Tristan Rayner
Apr 07, 2022
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Markets & Policy
The weekend read: Where’s the opportunity for solar with EVs? Electric vehicles, both fully electric and plug-in hybrid EVs, look set to become dominant in new car sales within years in many parts of the world, but overall changes to car fleets face significant inertia. What impact will this have on the future grid, and where’s the opportunity for solar? Tristan Rayner gets behind the wheel.
Tristan Rayner
Feb 12, 2022
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Silicon carbide’s second coming Silicon carbide (SiC) has promised inverter makers higher power density, higher efficiency, and a total bill of materials that comes in closer to its more established rival in silicon. Has SiC finally arrived? Tristan Rayner spoke to the people at the forefront of the wider-bandgap material to find out the back story and what’s next.
Tristan Rayner
Feb 11, 2022
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Highway to the inflection point Electric vehicles, both fully electric and plug-in hybrid EVs, look set to become dominant in new car sales within years in many parts of the world, but overall changes to car fleets face significant inertia. What impact will this have on the future grid, and where’s the opportunity for solar? Tristan Rayner gets behind the wheel.
Tristan Rayner
Feb 11, 2022