Energy storage projects often fail to deliver value because of economic
miscalculations. These computational issues, however, can now be mitigated by applying software,
analytics and machine learning, write Enrico Ladendorf and Bryce Evans
Solar farm operators are coming under growing pressure to help maintain network stability by providing accurate generation forecasts. As Dr. Nick Engerer (CTO of Solcast) writes, innovations in short-term solar forecasting are providing operators with new options for making this task less of a distraction from their core business.
Cell cracks have been identified as a major cause of defects in PV modules,
but their effect on performance is less well understood. Researchers Claudia Buerhop-Lutz, Thilo
Winkler, Jens Hauch, Christian Camus and Christoph J. Brabec describe the results of ongoing
investigations into how the electrical power of PV modules is impacted by cracking
Technologies purporting to alleviate performance losses in PV modules due
to soiling from dust and other airborne particles are becoming more widely available. But do they
work? Elisabeth Klimm and Karl-Anders Weiß of Fraunhofer ISE investigate
Amid reports of logistical and bureaucratic
difficulties, Germany’s IB Vogt earlier this
year became the first company to complete
and energise one of the multiple projects
that will eventually make up Benban,
Egypt’s gargantuan solar park in the
western desert governorate of Aswan.
PV systems incorporating bifacial modules require careful design and integration to
maximise the additional yield they offer. Drawing on extensive field studies, researchers from
LONGi Solar describe the optimum design of bifacial systems in the desert conditions of the
Middle East, to which bifacial technology is especially well suited
Bifacial technology is seen by many as the shape of things to come for the solar industry.
But how is it regarded by those on the frontline of choosing equipment that will result in the most
profitable projects? Jenya Meydbray, VP of solar technology at Cypress Creek Renewables, offers
an insider’s view
Accurate irradiance data is key for assessing the feasibility, profitability, and
performance of solar energy assets. 3E and Kipp & Zonen investigate the benefits of combining
pyranometer and satellite-based irradiance data for optimal planning and operation of PV plants
Two years ago, 1,500 volt PV systems were predicted to become the industry
standard in the utility-scale segment. Patrick Fetzer of 1,500V pioneer GE looks at how far the
technology has come and what further innovations could lie around the corner
A major new study
published by the World Bank has
underlined the scale of the opportunity
represented by floating solar systems,
but highlighted issues of cost,
bankability and regulation still
facing this emerging branch
of the solar industry. Sara
Verbruggen reports on
the first serious piece of
heavyweight analysis
of the prospects for
floating solar
