Swiss PV market grew 30% in 2020
According to Switzerland-based trade body Swissolar, the country saw the deployment of over 430 MW of new solar PV systems last year.
New parameters to improve prediction models for snow cover
Canadian scientists have developed a way to improve the short-term models used to forecast the impact of snow on PV arrays. The parameters include the warming effect of irradiance on the backs of panels, thermal capacity, and irradiance through snow.
Spanish company plans 1.17 GW hybrid solar-wind complex in Chile
Ibereólica has submitted the project, set to be located in the Antofagasta region, to Chile’s environmental authorities for approval.
Creating an alternative PV supply chain in the US is no cakewalk
The US Solar Energy Industry Association in late 2020 launched a campaign against forced labor and said it was “strongly encouraging” member companies to adjust their supply chains by June. Here is what will likely happen.
When agrivoltaics meet energy communities
Spain’s Tranesol is setting up two energy communities that will be powered by 2.5 MW of agrivoltaics. The two facilities will be located in the Valencian Community, which is at the forefront for supporting projects for solar power sharing.
Brazil may host $5.4bn green hydrogen plant
The facility is expected to be located in the state of Ceará and to be powered by around 3.6 GW of wind and solar facilities located in the region. The project developer is Australia-based Enegix Energy.
Solar modules prices rose by up to 15% in China, Jinko’s vice president says
According to JinkoSolar vice president Dany Qian, PV panel prices rose significantly since the second quarter of last year due to an increasing shortage of polysilicon, glass, silver, and module frames. She also stated that rushing demand cannot stop prices from rising for at least the next six months or longer, until sufficient capacity ramps up.
Australian startup aims to become one of the first first Li-ion anode producer outside China
A handful of companies are challenging Chinese control of a core material in lithium-ion battery production, before the electrification of transport truly kicks off the global battery boom. International Graphite, a Perth-based startup at the forefront of this effort, recently spoke to pv magazine Australia about the surprisingly collaborative race to feed global demand.
Modular lift system for solar panels
Altrex, a scaffolding and ladder producer in the Netherlands, has developed a new modular lift solution for solar panels. The system can raise one solar panel at a time and can be operated by a single installer using nothing other than a cordless drill, the company claims.
GE chooses Australia to launch new line of solar inverters
Just as Australia thought its pioneering days were over, it has become the first country in the world to sell General Electric’s new solar inverters.
