‘Where appropriate, agrivoltaics can certainly be a viable and meaningful alternative to large-scale solar’
US expert in environmental and energy policy Alexis Pascaris spoke with pv magazine about opportunities and barriers associated with agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics are a very practical and advantageous alternative to large-scale solar, specifically in places where there are land-use constraints or needs for rural economic development, she explains. Differences in costs related to ground-mounted solar can typically be attributed to the raised racking systems or additional fencing, but these upfront investments in specialized hardware are eventually recovered as agrivoltaic systems produce dual-revenue streams.
Maldives launch tender for 40 MW/40 MWh of storage
The government of the archipelago is tendering the deployment of two big batteries, with capacities of 24 MW/24 MWh and 16 MW/16 MWh, respectively, to store renewable energy for 22 islands.
Large-scale PV to join wind power complex at Dutch dam
The project is expected to have a capacity of up to 50 MW and is set to be commissioned in 2023.
Electricity derivatives to offer power offtake certainty for investors in India
An Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) report says that the sale of power in the futures market will benefit renewable energy developers and distribution companies alike.
Pure sulfide CIGS solar cell with 15.2% efficiency
The device was built by an international research team. The cell features a buffer layer based on zinc sulfide oxide and a low copper absorber. The cell showed an open-circuit voltage of 920 mV. And though a different material from the widely commercialized CIG selenide PV thin films, the researchers claim similar processes could be used in its large-scale manufacturing.
Australian solar park to host crops as part of agrisolar program
Italy’s Enel will launch an experimental agrivoltaics program at its 34 MW Cohuna Solar Farm in the Australian state of Victoria to help formulate a “best practices” template for utility-scale solar PV sites in other countries.
Amazon warehouse fire linked to solar installation
A recent fire at an Amazon warehouse, with an estimated $500,000 in damages, has been linked to an issue with a rooftop solar system, according to Susquehanna Hose Co.
Solar 101: Multiple threats to jolt your solar project
Homeowner associations and town councils can derail your solar project, but so can dust from nearby factories and bivalve mollusks falling from the sky.
France may reach between 70 and 208 GW of PV by 2050
French grid operator RTE has outlined six scenarios on how France’s energy system may achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In the most optimistic one, solar is expected to reach a cumulative capacity of 208 GW.
New process to recycle silicon, silver and glass from end-of-life PV panels
A €4.8 million EU-funded research project is aiming to develop a process that allows recovering all components of a photovoltaic module.
