Global solar irradiance ‘relatively stable’ in 2023, says Solargis
With global irradiance above average in Australia, Southeast Asia and Europe, and stable in the United States, solar data provider Solargis says stakeholders should focus on the stability of power grids, while navigating solar financing complexities in developing economies and supply chain capacities in 2024.
India adds 10 GW of new solar in 2023
India added about 6.5 GW of new utility-scale solar capacity in 2023. Capacity additions from rooftop installations hit 3 GW, according to JMK Research.
The effect of PV plants on albedo, vegetation, land temperature
Scientists have used remote sensing to analyze the effect solar farms have across 116 sites worldwide. They found that the cooling effect is higher during the daytime, with albedo decreasing by 0.016 for most facilities.
Smart Railway Technology presents inverters for PV-powered train traction
Smart Railway Technology’s new PV2Rail inverters are designed to feed directly into 16.7 Hertz (Hz) railway power grids.
JSW Energy to set up 1 GW pumped storage project in India
JSW Energy says it will expand its renewables footprint in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu with an investment of $1.44 billion, including 1 GW of pumped storage and 1 GW of wind power.
Australia’s rooftop PV additions hit 3.17 GW in 2023
A record 921 MW of PV was installed across Australian rooftops in the fourth quarter of 2023, taking new rooftop solar capacity to about 3.17 GW for all of last year.
Israeli startup launches 530 W bifacial PVT panel
P.G. Solar Greener says that its new panels have a thermal capacity of 1,280 Wh. They can reportedly achieve an overall dual electrical efficiency of 26%, due to an embedded cooling technique.
EU approves billions for German battery factory, French renewables industry
Northvolt is set to secure €902 million ($986 million) of state aid to build a battery gigafactory in northern Germany, while France has been allocated €2.9 billion to ramp up production of batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and heat pumps, according to a European Commission announcement.
Australian researchers reveal ‘scalable’ aqueous rechargeable zinc batteries
Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) claim to have developed a technology that overcomes the recharging capabilities associated with aqueous zinc battery technology, potentially redefining energy storage for homes and grids.
Utility scale solar farms contribute to bird diversity
New research has shown that solar parks can play a positive role in promoting bird diversity in the agricultural landscape of Central Europe. The scientists said solar farms offer food availability and nesting sites.
