Accurate generation modelling and forecasting is integral to not just the financial performance of operational solar farms, but how they are integrated into modern grids. A study from Monash University in Australia has proven how artificial intelligence approaches can help drastically improve performance forecasts. Dr. Christoph Bergmeir, who led that study, details its key learnings.
UK-based solar PV inspection and data analytics company Above details how its ‘Follow PV’ project, launched alongside the University of Essex, is enhancing the research and development of autonomous drone technology in utility-scale solar.
By Andor Savelkouls, Jonathan Bell; Altenex Energy
Andor Savelkouls and Jonathan Bell of Altenex Energy, a subsidiary of Edison Energy, assess the flaws in how corporates currently procure renewable electricity, and how slight tweaks to the system can make it more accurate and cleaner.
Radovan Kopecek and Joris Libal analyse recent efficiency announcements against the backdrop of new and emerging solar PV technologies, and plot the course for solar’s next steps.
By Carsten M. Steenberg, VP of product management, RainWise
With RS-485 connection ports being phased out, Carsten M. Steenberg, VP of product management at Rainwise, explores whether Modbus TCP will emerge as the communication standard for C&I solar inverters from now on, and details the benefits such a transition could bring.
Nextracker’s Aron Dobos and Neelesh Umachandran explore the risk posed by tracker terrain loss to asset performance and revenue, as well as the potential remedies to the problem for large-scale solar development.
In the wake of the US Withhold and Release Order and other sanctions targeting alleged forced labour in solar supply chains, Graham Vinter, Ursula Owczarkowski and Sarah Bishop of law firm Covington & Burling LLP explore the legal status quo and the options at hand for solar companies to mitigate contractual risk.
By Carsten Steenberg, VP of product management and business development, Rainwise
Utility-scale solar is evolving beyond traditional measurements, and performance ratio are one such metric that is likely to become obsolete, replaced by more modern criteria such as availability metrics. Carsten Steenberg, VP of product management and business development at Rainwise, explores the new metrics coming to the fore and discusses the importance of weather monitoring.
Companies are purchasing solar, wind, and other forms of renewable energy more than ever before. The power purchase agreement (PPA) market in Europe has grown to a cumulative capacity of over 12GW, with a record 4GW signed in 2020. Corporate climate commitments are opening doors for investment in renewable energy, and continued price declines are convincing companies to sign new contracts. Is the European market ready to fulfil its potential? By Dr. Mercè Labordena, senior policy advisor at SolarPower Europe, and Milena Koot, communications advisor at SolarPower Europe
Canadian Solar provides a detailed analysis of the technologies that are combining within its new HiKu7 and BiHiKu7 series of modules, driving power outputs beyond 600W.
