New approach to measure rear plane-of-array irradiance in bifacial PV plants
Researchers in Denmark claim to have identified the best locations for rear plane-of-array irradiance sensors on the back of single-axis trackers in bifacial PV projects. Their work suggests how to reduce sensor quantities while maintaining accurate performance monitoring.
Integrated risk-cost framework for DC-coupled PV-electrolyzers
Scientists in Austria have conducted a risk analysis for four setups for coupled PV-electrolyser systems, and tested them under three use cases. They calculated failure probability as well as the levelized cost of hydrogen and its risk-weighted variant.
Overvoltage, chain reaction, improper disconnections behind Spain’s blackout
Spain’s Minister for the Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, has presented an official report on the April 28 blackout. She also announced 11 measures to strengthen grid stability and prevent future incidents.
Dutch startup offers roof coating increasing PV safety
AllShield Coatings says that its fire-resistant product can be installed under a new roof covering or applied to the roofing material of existing roofs. It weighs 2.8 kg/m2 and reportedly serves as an effective fire-resistant layer, significantly reducing the risk of fire spreading.
Swiss developer breaks ground on 1.6 GWh redox flow storage project
The redox flow project has enormous storage capacity, expected to be finished in mid-2028.
Stadium in Austria now hosting Europe’s largest PVT system
Austria has installed Europe’s largest photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar system at a stadium, using Sunmaxx modules combined with geothermal energy and brine heat pumps to provide climate-neutral electricity and heat.
France, Spain raise interconnection link capacity from 2.8 GW to 5 GW
France and Spain have driven up the planned capacity of their Bay of Biscay electricity interconnection from 2.8 GW to 5 GW, with €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) in financing approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
At least 18 GW of batteries await Brazil’s planned auction
While Brazil is making progress in customer-side, “behind-the-meter” and off-grid battery solutions – with more than 700 MWh – it still lacks guidelines for a planned gigawatt-scale national auction. Markus Vlasits, president of the Brazilian Association of Energy Storage Solutions (ABSAE), tells pv magazine about the nation’s utility-scale battery bottleneck.
Different dust, different impact on PV module performance
Scientists in Germany have collected dust from Qatar, Morocco and Thailand to analyze the impact on the performance of uncoated solar glass and uncoated PV mini-modules. Their analysis has shown that dust coverage could range from 4% to 60%.
Despite low gas prices, solar, wind remain cheapest sources of power in US
Renewables remain cost-competitive in the United States despite rising natural gas competitiveness, according to Lazard’s 2025 “Levelized Cost of Energy+” report, which estimates combined cycle gas at $0.048/kWh to $0.107/kWh, solar at $0.038/kWh to $0.212/kWh, and nuclear at $0.141/kWh to $0.220/kWh.
