Uninterrupted PV generation without storage
An Israeli scientist has proposed a way to achieve uninterrupted PV power on the moon without using energy storage. The proposal involves the installation of PV panels around a 360-degree latitudinal ring close to one of the moon’s poles. There would be no inter-array shading, and static vertical PV arrays and arrays mounted on single-axis vertical trackers could be viable mounting structures.
Operations begin at 87 MW solar-powered bitcoin-mining center
Aspen Creek Digital, a US bitcoin miner, has started operations at a 30 MW bitcoin data center powered by an 87 MW solar park in Texas. The project is the company’s second solar-powered bitcoin-mining center.
Affordable robotic cleaning solution for solar panels
India-based Solavio has developed the Eco Bot portable and shareable robotic cleaning solution, which is compatible with ground-mounted solar arrays and rooftop PV installations.
Danish developer set to build Sweden’s largest solar park
European Energy is ready to start building a 128.5 MW solar park in Sweden. The project was halted earlier this year, but that decision has since been reversed. The installation is expected to start generating electricity in 2024.
Spain, Portugal to lead renewables in Europe, says Rystad
Norwegian consulting firm Rystad Energy has described the Iberian Peninsula as “a new European energy powerhouse.” It expects Spain and Portugal to reach 79% renewables in their combined electricity mix by 2030.
Germany installed 750 MW of solar in September
Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) says that 691 MW of new PV systems were subsidized under the country’s EEG renewables incentive program in September.
Thailand introduces FIT scheme for solar, storage
In an unexpected move, the government of Thailand has introduced a feed-in-tariff (FIT) of THB 2,1679 ($0.057)/kWh over 25 years for solar and a 25-year FIT of THB 2,8331/kWh for solar plus storage.
PV modules with longer lifetimes could slash demand for materials, says NREL
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) says in a new report that PV module lifetime extensions should be prioritized over closed-loop recycling to reduce demand for new materials.
Roof-mounted vs. wall-mounted heat pumps
A roof-mounted air source heat pump has reportedly been installed for the first time in the United Kingdom, as part of a pilot project at the University of Salford. The performance of the 200 kg Bosch 3400i Hydrotop will be compared to a similar unit mounted on the wall of a home.
Nearly 4% of US homes have rooftop solar installed
In 2020, 3.7% of US homes generated electricity from small-scale solar arrays, reports the US Energy Information Administration.
