O&M

The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a new software package, developed alongside SunPower and kWh Analytics, which it says will improve the accuracy and reliability of PV plant performance data, and improve the industry’s understanding of degradation.

With its latest acquisition, Germany-based Enovos now manages large-scale PV systems amounting to around 600 MW in Germany. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

A paper published by consultancy DNV GL forecasts major growth in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications within renewable energy, and outlines the risks and opportunities of such technologies.

Troubleshooting series: Steadily declining system yield over the years is to be expected due to module degradation in photovoltaic systems. But in the following case, the yield abruptly dropped – and it happened after several years of operation. In this series based on real cases, pv magazine aims to make assessment of troubleshooting efforts more concrete and stimulate a discussion about troubleshooting efficiency today.

Series troubleshooting: If several module strings fail completely, the result is usually high yield losses. But to identify the strings and correct the failure can sometimes be a challenge. In this series with realistic cases, pv magazine aims to make the estimation of troubleshooting efforts more concrete and to stimulate a discussion on today’s troubleshooting efficiency.

Assessment of weather data and forecasting are vital in reducing risks and, therefore, financing costs and losses during the operation of solar plants. Following a recent pv magazine webinar, Finnish environmental firm Vaisala has prepared detailed answers to the main questions posed by participants.

Series troubleshooting: Bypass diodes fail regularly, either because they do not have a high enough power rating or because they are overloaded due to nearby lightning strikes. With the following hypothetical, but realistic case pv magazine starts a series which aims to make the estimation of troubleshooting efforts more concrete and to stimulate a discussion on todays troubleshooting efficiency.

Module monitoring: PV is a stable technology and comparatively coarse methods of performance monitoring are considered sufficient to assure optimal performance. However, approximately 8% of all module defects are not easily detectable.

SMA has announced the completion of contracts for the operation and maintenance of two solar power plants in Chile. The plants are owned by Atlas Renewable Energies, and have a combined capacity of 180 MW. The plants include both SMA inverters and those of other manufacturers.

Accumulation of airborne particles on solar panels may cut energy output by more than 25% in some parts of the world, shows a new study carried out by researchers of Duke University, in cooperation with colleagues at the Indian Institute of Technology-Gandhinagar and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.