Technology

Solargis, a Slovakia-based solar data provider, claims that the difference between modeled solar irradiance and real measurements is more significant in tropical regions than in subtropical zones. It argues that enhancing ground-based measurement stations and forecasts can enhance data accuracy and accelerate PV project delivery.

An international research team has built a cooling tech consisting of heat absorber pipes that are thermally connected to the PV module, heat releaser pipes that exchange heat with the water body, a series of connecting pipes, and a coolant reservoir. The system claims to create a continuous fluid flow that dissipates heat from the PV cells to the surroundings.

Swiss 3S, the Switzerland-based manufacturer, is offering the new half-cell BIPV module in four sizes, ranging from 24 half-cells to 48 half-cells. The rated output is up to 225 W.

Daiwa, Japan’s largest homebuilder, has developed a new solar carport that can accommodate solar modules from any manufacturer in various colors and shapes, allowing developers to consider the aesthetic requirements of the surrounding areas and buildings.

Fraunhofer ISE researchers claim the new silicon carbide inverter is technically able to handle voltage levels of up to 1,500 V at 250 kVA in utility scale solar power plants.

On the journey from Darwin to Adelaide, the Innoptus Solar Team, a non-profit project of students from the University of Leuven, is in a leading position amongst dozens of competitors from around the world in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge. It tapped European research labs for PV equipment and know-how.

Japan’s Panasonic has developed a new central heat pump system for residential space heating and cooling.

Brazil-based VedantaESS has agreed to buy EnerVenue’s energy storage vessels for use in utility-scale, distributed-generation and isolated microgrid applications.

Unite, a Lyon-based company, has started building a solar aviary on a pheasant farm in Brinon-sur-Sauldre, France. pv magazine France recently spoke with Stéphane Maureau, Unite’s associate managing director, about the company’s PV growth strategy.

Enphase and SolarEdge dominate US sales of rooftop solar inverters, but Tesla could be set to change that.