New WMO analysis underscores 2024’s solar anomalies
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, writes that while findings from the The European State of the Climate 2024 report align with its own solar analysis covering last year, differences in anomaly magnitude between the two datasets stem from the climatology periods used.
Swiss researchers developing control algorithm for grid-forming inverters
Researchers at ETH Zurich have patented a grid-forming inverter algorithm that stabilizes frequency while protecting devices from damage by independently controlling frequency, voltage, and current.
CIGS cell with ultra-thin glass substrate hits record efficiency of 17.81%
South Korean researchers have fabricated a copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cell with a 90 μm-thick UTG provided by South Korea’s Unique Technology Integral. The device uses a cadmium-free buffer layer made of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide, instead of cadmium sulfide.
Testing floating PV at different heights
Scientists have tested the performance of floating PV panels at a height of 800 mm and 250 mm above their floating structures. Their thermal and electrical performance was compared to that of a reference land-based system and the highest panel was found to show the greatest cooling effect.
Pexapark records 24 European PPAs for over 1.5 GW in March
Pexapark registered a notable increase in power purchase agreements (PPA) in March, with solar deals accounting for almost 1.4 GW of the total disclosed capacity.
Germany’s PV installations down sharply in March
Germany installed just 787.2 MW of new PV capacity in March – the lowest monthly total since December 2022.
Turkey’s solar capacity surpasses 21 GW
Turkey’s rapid rise in solar deployment has been largely attributed to the installation of unlicensed solar power plants for self consumption in the commercial and industrial sector.
Somalia launches solar-plus-storage tender
Somalia’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals is searching for a developer to design, supply, install, test and commission a solar-plus-storage project in the northwest of the country. The deadline for applications is June 14.
Average silver price up 21% in 2024, says Silver Institute
Demand for silver in the PV industry hit 197.6 million ounces in 2024, according to a new report from the Silver Institute. It says the average silver price stood at $28.27 per troy ounce last year, up from $23.35 in 2023.
European electricity prices stabilize as gas, CO2 prices drop
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s latest analysis finds electricity prices across the major European markets during the second week of April were largely in line with the week prior, despite gas and CO2 futures reaching their lowest settlement since September and April last year. Meanwhile, France and Italy broke their daily records for solar production.
