Brazilian plastics manufacturer offers reflective membrane for bifacial PV plants
Azul Pack has developed a new reflective membrane to increase albedo and energy yield in photovoltaic plants with bifacial modules. In a fixed structure plant located in Minas Gerais, the technology reportedly resulted in a 7% increase in energy at the inverter output.
New study shows reducing number of solar modules per string reduces risk of hotspots
Scientists in Indonesia have investigated early operational defects in a 24.9 MW solar PV system in Sumatra and have identified hotspot formation as the dominant defect. They also detected 282 cases of glass cracking, 350 cases of junction box failures and shading effects linked to module defects.
Lion Storage closes finance on 1.4 GWh merchant battery in Netherlands
Tesla will provide 372 of its MegaPack 2 XL battery systems as well as engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services.
Argentina launches 500 MW storage auction
The Argentinean authorities plan to install the new storage capacity in critical nodes of the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, with an estimated investment of $500 million and an execution period of between 12 and 18 months.
Peru installs 195.4 MW of solar in 2024
At the end of December 2024, the country reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 476 MW.
Photovoltaics for sea cucumber aquaculture
Scientists in China have conducted a year-long study on six “aquavoltaics” farms hosting sea cucumber aquacultures under the solar panels. Due to the lower water temperature, the hibernation period of the animal was reduced, as was mortality, compared to the previous year.
Problems with Brazil’s planned battery auction
A crippling tax burden; an inability to bank energy arbitrage income; and uncertainty about grid fees, network ancillary payments, and solar-plus-storage eligibility could all affect a procurement exercise planned for June.
New database for PV module fault detection
Scientists in Colombia have created a 10-year open dataset for PV panel fault detection. Data was acquired using an electronic load system, oscilloscope, and thermographic camera in outdoor environmental conditions.
1 GWh battery tender opened in India
India’s state-controlled National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd. will act as middle man between successful developers and power distribution companies in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
BYD to supply 12.5 GWh of battery storage in Saudi Arabia
Following a report in January, BYD has now officially secured the 12.5 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) supply deal.
