How to detect PV system underperformance using only AC-side inverter data
An Australian research team has developed a five-step, rule-based method that detects and classifies underperformance in PV systems using only AC-side inverter data. Validated across more than 1,000 systems, the approach offers a low-cost, low-intervention solution for improving reliability, fault response, and PV system performance.
Hot, dry start to 2026 lifts Australian PV, despite fires and monsoon losses
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that most of Australia experienced above-average solar irradiance in January 2026 due to a hot, dry airmass and clear skies, boosting PV generation despite operational challenges from elevated temperatures, bushfire smoke, and dust. In contrast, northern Queensland and far northern regions saw significant irradiance deficits from persistent monsoonal clouds and Tropical Cyclone Koji, causing widespread rainfall and localized power outages.
New reflective coating increases BIPV power output by 11%
Australian researchers developed a low-cost reflective coating for semi-transparent solar roof tiles that lowers surface temperatures by up to 20 C and boosts power output by up to 11.7%. Simulations across five global cities showed energy savings of up to 5.85%, highlighting the coating’s strong potential for improving both building cooling efficiency and solar performance in BIPV systems.
‘An immediate transition to copper is technically and economically feasible’
With silver prices rising, more large solar manufacturers are expected to switch to copper for cell metallization. Radovan Kopecek of ISC Konstanz tells pv magazine that he expects the entire industry to follow. Ning Song of the University of New South Wales says a small efficiency tradeoff may be acceptable if the cost savings are significant and do not introduce new reliability risks.
CSIRO puts battery chemistries to test in tropical conditions
Researchers from Australia’s national science agency are working with Malaysian authorities to assess how different battery chemistries perform under tropical conditions, including high temperatures, humidity, and corrosion, and how these factors affect durability, safety, and cost effectiveness.
Ambrion launches new all-in-one storage solutions
The Australian firm has introduced single-phase 5 kW and 6 kW AC output storage systems, as well as three-phase 10 kW and 12 kW models. Storage capacities of the new products range from 5 kWh to 40 kWh.
PV power generation forecast technique for solar plants with missing data
Scientists in China have developed a novel missingness-aware power forecasting method that leverages signal decomposition, multi-scale covariate interaction, and multi-domain collaborative transfer learning. The approach reportedly improves average forecasting accuracy by 15.3%.
Enhancing dual-axis solar tracker performance with new optimization techniques
Researchers in India have developed two solar tracker optimization techniques can purportedly increase power generation by up to 54.36% when combined. One uses a light sensor and the other relies on data from GPS and a real-time clock.
Reducing PV module temperature with ultra-cooling patch
Scientists in Hong Kong have developed a patch that effectively cools down PV panels and utilizes waste heat for freshwater production. It has three layers: an atmospheric water harvester, a thermal regulation layer, and an adhesive layer. Maximum power density reportedly increased by over 28% in a folded version of the ultra-cooling patch.
Global renewable energy pathfinding
Australia is tracking towards 75% electricity from solar and wind in 2030, which makes it a global energy transition pathfinder. Pathfinders are important because they learn to solve new problems and disprove misinformation and disinformation.
