Vertical bifacial agrivoltaics feasible at high latitudes with 8-meter row spacing
New research from Finland shows how spacing between solar modules plays a key role in determing power and crop yield. The scientists found that, at a separation of 8 m, crops received at least 75% of irradiation, which is expected to result in minimal impact compared with an unshaded scenario.
Hurricane Melissa floods Cuba’s Río Cauto solar park, cuts power supply
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says emergency generators, some powered by solar panels, are being deployed as Cuba struggles to restore electricity after the storm.
Nextracker changes name to Nextpower
The name reflects the new approach to providing a complete system rather than individual components, and that system will soon include Nextpower power conversion equipment.
Italy awards 2 GW in agrivoltaic tender backed by EU funds
Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) says 747 projects have been selected under the nation’s first agrivoltaic program, backed by €1.7 billion ($1.9 billion) from European recovery funds.
Optimizing PV system tilt angle, MPPT using fuzzy logic controller
Researchers in the Middle East have developed a fuzzy logic controller that simultaneously optimizes the tilt angle of PV systems and performs maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Year-long simulations indicate that the proposed approach increases power generation by approximately 20%.
U.S. scientists build graphene-based solar cells than can charge supercapacitors
The solar cells combine multilayer graphene with silicon wafers, harvesting both solar and kinetic energy for continuous operation. Tests show the cells can autonomously power supercapacitors embedded in a temperature sensor.
US startup launches DC-powered solar water heater
California-based Apparent Inc. has unveiled a new water heater that can reportedly offset 100% of a home’s water heating cost. The system uses low-voltage DC electricity generated by conventional solar panels and a cloud based, machine learning platform that manages energy in real-time.
Waaree unveils 645 W back contact solar module with 23.88% efficiency
Waaree Energies has entered the back contact module business with a TOPCon dual-glass module. The new product is based on cells with G12R format.
Solinteg unveils hybrid inverter series for C&I applications
The Chinese manufacturer said the product line includes five models with outputs ranging from 25 kW to 50 kW, supporting charge and discharge currents of up to 150 A.
Idemitsu developing CIGS solar modules for satellites
Japan’s oil giant Idemitsu Kosan and U.S.-based Source Energy Company announced a collaboration to develop copper indium gallium-selenide solar modules and arrays for satellite and space applications.
