Batteries cheaper than new thermal plants for Brazil’s reserve grid capacity
Analyst Aurora Energy Research estimates battery storage systems cost 10% less than new combined cycle thermal power plants – and could be 29% cheaper. pv magazine spoke to Aurora’s Inês Gaspar about the figures.
PV system sizing for 100% self-consumption
A group of researchers has proposed a new method for the sizing of PV systems that do not rely on an anti-dump system and operate without the possibility of injecting power into the grid. The novel approach requires an estimate of the annual hourly profile and the minimum power demanded, as well as the use of an irradiance meter and an electrical network analyzer.
144 MW La Unión solar plant inaugurated in Colombia
Spanish company Zelestra officially connected the plant to the electrical grid last June. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, along with other authorities, participated in the ceremony.
97 MW Matarani plant begins operation in Peru
Acquired by Yinson Renewables earlier this year, the project is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 260 GWh.
Brazil launches public consultation on battery capacity reserve auction
According to the draft of the auction rules published by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the procurement exercise will be held in June 2025 for systems with a power output of at least 30 MW that can store energy for at least four hours a day. The draft says that the contracts will cover a period of 10 years, with operation starting in July 2029.
YPF Luz to begin working on 305 MW of solar in Argentina
YPF Luz says it is ready to start building a 305 MW solar project in Mendoza, Argentina, with an initial phase of 200 MW.
Scaling renewables operations: Using digital tools for efficient asset management at the utility scale
In this pv magazine Webinar we’ll examine of how digital technologies can support operations and asset management for large-scale onshore renewables. We’ll hear from the team at data and software company TGS on how standardization can support scalability in a PV portfolio.
Solar hits 21.1% of El Salvador’s electricity mix with 633 MW
El Salvador’s General Superintendent of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) says solar now accounts for 21.1% of the nation’s electricity mix, with total installed PV capacity reaching 633 MW by the end of 2023.
Brazil to require solar inverters with arc fault circuit interrupters from December
Brazil’s National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) says it has introduced a requirement for inverters to have arc fault circuit interrupters, effective December 2024, to prevent fires and enhance PV system safety.
Understanding the dangers of arc flash in solar, battery storage systems
In this pv magazine Webinar, we will review different electrical hazards present in renewable energy systems and compare various methods to mitigate them as well as examine real-world examples using arc-flash relays to increase system reliability.
