By Dirk C. Jordan, Chris Deline, Bill Marion and Teresa Barnes, NREL. Mark Bolinger, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Despite the importance of reliability to the cost competitiveness of PV, large data sets enabling high-level investigation of the technology’s performance in the field are relatively scarce. Dirk C. Jordan, Chris Deline, Bill Marion and Teresa Barnes of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Mark Bolinger of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study a unique data set of 100,000 PV systems in the US, drawing out tips for better reliability that have relevance to other parts of the world.
Travel restrictions imposed by countries in response to the coronavirus pandemic have contribution to a slowdown in investment in rural electrification projects. Thomas Hillig examines the extent of the investment freeze and possible solutions to get capital flowing into much needed projects again
FuturaSun has launched its ‘ZEBRA’ Series n-type monocrystalline IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) solar panel series to the residential PV and C&I markets across Europe. The new Zebra series offers a superior esthetics, enhanced electrical performance and a solid reliability and durability, a hallmark of IBC technology.
By Vicente Parra, Ruperto J. Gómez, José C. Vázquez and Francisco Álvarez, Enertis
A comprehensive understanding of the performance gain offered by a bifacial module remains an elusive goal for PV owners and EPCs due to variations arising from different design, manufacturing and testing methods. Vicente Parra, Ruperto J. Gómez, José C. Vázquez and Francisco Álvarez of Enertis review the main sources of variability and outstanding uncertainties that must be addressed as the industry seeks to define standard rules for reliably selecting, purchasing and deploying bifacial PV modules
Huawei has launched its next generation ‘FusionSolar’ residential smart PV solution with the emphasis on innovative smart technologies to provide the easiest and highest safety installation standards and long-term operability that aims for 100% self-consumption.
The European Union has pinned its hopes for an economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic on green and digital technologies. Molly Lempriere looks at the part solar could play as details are fleshed out
PV CellTech 2020 is taking place online this year, with 27 invited keynote presentations from the leading PV technology stakeholders, during 27-29 October 2020. The scope of the 9 sessions across the 3 days of the online event have been configured to allow the global PV community to assess fully the plethora of new-capacity and new-technology announcements from the past 12-18 months.
With federal support for renewables having been depleted in recent years, utilities in the US have taken a leading role in the deployment of solar and energy storage. Jules Scully examines how integrated resource plans are driving solar deployment.
The rapid evolution of photovoltaic technology has continued, as modules with peak power outputs in excess of 550W are emerging fast. Driven by a thirst for more power and increasingly larger cells, developers and EPC now face tougher procurement decisions than ever before. But is the industry ready for such a jump? Liam Stoker investigates
Despite only being released last year, the G12 210mm large area-size wafer has quickly attracted supporters, with more than 120GW of cell manufacturing expansions announced and a solar ecosystem evolving around it. Carrie Xiao analyses the figures behind its rise.