PV Tech Power Papers

It is ironic that Spain, whose government is infamous for its history of damaging PV policy U-turns, is also now home to the figurehead project of large-scale solar’s return in Europe after years of hiatus. The Don Rodrigo project in the southern region of Andalusia is the first mega-scale PV system to go without subsidies on the continent, standing at 175MW capacity.

Having suffered from a chicken and egg status, bifacial solar is making ground and the advent of single-glass modules could lower costs and tip the odds in 2019. John Parnell reports.

Ensuring the stability of solar tracking systems and modules during wind events is one of the top concerns of solar site owners, project developers and EPC contractors. A poorly designed single-axis tracker can result in damage to solar trackers and modules, leading to costly downtime, insurance claims, or even possible injury. Todd Andersen outlines the innovative methods that engineers at Array Technologies have uncovered and use to address this major potential setback for solar projects.

Hurricane-strength winds are a clear threat to solar installations in island nations, where PV is becoming an increasingly popular solution to climate change-related issues. Joseph Goodman and Frank Oudheusden, co-authors of a recent study on designing hurricane-ready solar systems, offer an insider’s view of how the challenge is being met.

A little more time and money spent upfront on properly understanding site drainage and soil conditions and designing solar projects accordingly can avoid much larger profit losses and reputational damage further down the line. HDR’s Gretchen Dolson looks at some of the methods for ensuring PV sites stay afloat.

Recent signs suggest that after several quiet years, large-scale solar is once again showing strong growth in Europe in spite of the steady withdrawal of subsidies. PV Tech Power caught up with six energy finance experts from the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright for the their take on some of the market and financing trends that will shape European solar in the years to come.

How best to bridge the gap between the production of renewables such as solar and demand is the subject of much debate. Marc Perez, Richard Perez, Karl R. Rabago and Morgan Putnam argue the case for curtailment combined with storage as a cost-effective solution.

Development and private capital is fuelling a solar boom across the Earth’s four corners, from India to South Africa and Mexico. Five finance heavyweights walk José Rojo through their learnings so far and their future plans to tap into an industry they see as key to a better world.

Bogotá seems ready to kickstart its dormant renewable sector to bolster a hydroreliant power mix but auction delays suggest the road may be bumpy. José Rojo explores the factors behind the country’s slower PV awakening as Brazil, Mexico and other neighbours surged ahead.

The UK’s small-scale feed-in tariff closed to new applicants earlier this year, forcing policy makers and installers alike to run the rule over new models and legislation. Liam Stoker takes a look at the government’s Smart Export Guarantee and what it might mean for UK solar.