Study of 100,000 arrays finds proactive O&M preferable
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory examined five-year data to observe the most common system failure points and how to prevent them. Researchers considered residential, commercial and utility scale plants and found interesting results. While failures cannot be avoided completely, a key takeaway was that close monitoring and timely repair can effectively mitigate the financial effects of failures.
The US added 13.3 GW of solar in 2019, beating new wind and gas capacity
According to data released by analyst Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association, the U.S. added more than 2.8 GW of residential solar last year. Cumulative operating PV capacity now tops 76 GW.
How to Sell Solar Remotely in the Era of Social Distancing
Unforeseen circumstances and current events may force you to sell solar remotely for the next few months. Like most solar companies, you may currently rely on meeting your customers in-person, and you may be wondering how to transition to a remote process in the era of social distancing. Have a look at this webinar to learn how to sell solar remotely.
UK deals for vanadium redox flow merger and electric vehicles announced
English partners appear to be in demand with a London-based vanadium flow supplier tying up with a U.S. partner just as an automotive design company in Coventry announces plans for electric and hydrogen vehicle production in the West Midlands.
US boom in the shadow of a black swan
Supply-chain constraints related to China’s coronavirus outbreak could weigh on the performance of the U.S. solar market in 2020, writes SPV Market Research’s Paula Mints.
New fractal solar panels combine efficiency and aesthetics
Researchers from the United States have proposed a new electrode design for fractal solar panels that combines the typical aesthetic advantages of the technology with the efficiency of busbar design. The proposed pattern is based on the fractal tree structure known as H tree, or T-branching, which is a geometric shape consisting of a repeating pattern that resembles the letter H. The hybrid H-tree/busbar pattern showed power losses that are close to those of standard busbars.
Cheaper flow batteries with new membrane
US scientists claim to have discovered a membrane which could lead to cheaper large scale flow batteries. The material is an ion-selective, aqueous-compatible polymer with intrinsic microporosity known as AquaPIM and is said to have tunable thickness and high conductivity in aqueous electrolytes.
Hydrogen is the first viable option for seasonal storage
Compressed hydrogen is “the first viable option” to help meet wintertime electricity demand in a high-renewables grid, says DNV GL.
Solutions to replacing aging and failing inverters
Optimizer manufacturer Alencon has published a paper outlining the technical challenges to replacing the largely obsolete and frequently failing 600 V central inverters used in older PV projects.
Tesla solar glass roof tile photo gallery update
Videos from very involved solar roof owners. Some before and after photos. More tile boxes from China.
