Adapting agrivoltaics to different climates, crops
An international consortium led by Italy’s Eurac Research launched the Symbiosyst project to adapt PV modules, mounting structures, and maintenance technologies to the needs of various crops in agrivoltaic installations in different climates.
Assessing vibrations in solar modules due to robot cleaning
Qatari researchers have looked at the degree to which cleaning robots could threaten the physical integrity of solar panels. They found that cleaning machines have a very minimal impact and that modules of similar sizes tend to exhibit roughly the same amount of vibration.
New method to measure energy yield of bifacial PV systems
Canadian scientists have developed a new way to measure the energy yield of bifacial PV systems. They said they considered the spectral albedo of ground cover like snow and sand to predict energy gains of up to 2%, in comparison with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard.
Hanwha Q Cells unveils updated modules for Australian rooftop market
Hanwha Q Cells has launched the latest generation of its Q.MAXX solar panel series for the Australian residential market. It says the power class has been increased by up to 15 Wp from previous iterations.
New York grid operator advances 3 GW of solar, storage projects
About 27 GW of solar and storage projects remain in New York’s interconnection queue. The grid operator has also advanced 3 GW of wind projects and a 1.25 GW transmission line.
New model to predict safety of floating solar arrays
South Korean scientists have developed a way to determine when a floating PV system is safe to install in the field.
Greek utility reaches financial close on 230 MW of solar at former coal mine
Greece’s Public Power Corp. (PPC) has secured €102.4 million ($111 million) of financing, with at least €28.5 million coming from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The funds will support the construction of 230 MW of PV capacity in Ptolemaida, which is Greece’s coal mining region.
Renac unveils high-voltage hybrid inverters for residential applications
Renac Power’s new hybrid inverters have efficiency ratings of up to 97.5% and European efficiency ratings of 97.2%. They are available in four versions, with power outputs ranging from 3 kW to 6 kW.
Bangladesh’s largest solar plant goes online
India’s Rays Power Infra has switched on a 275 MW solar plant in Bangladesh. It says it completed the South Asian nation’s largest PV project within the scheduled time frame of 14 months.
US Patent Trial and Appeal Board rules in favor of Q Cells in patent dispute with REC
The US Patent Trial and Appeal Board has issued a favorable decision for Hanwha Q Cells over REC Solar’s patent claims. The court has ruled that the contested claims of REC’s US patent were not patentable. The decision is similar to those in courts in China and Europe, according to Q Cells.
