Technical Papers

Developers and investors must be proactive to ensure the quality of modules they purchase is as high as possible. Vicente Parra and Ruperto Gomez detail some of the practices they can follow to mitigate module quality risks during the manufacturing process

The value of warranties attached to PV modules is coming under increasing scrutiny as plants age and more is understood about the degradation of modules in the field. Gustaf Schuler discusses the ins and outs of PV warranties and the best methods for mitigating risks

Cloud-aggregated virtual power plants using residential or C&I battery storage as part of a smart energy management system can benefit the grid, integrate renewables and EVs and hopefully add a powerful long-term value proposition for home storage. Andy Colthorpe and David Pratt report on how some of the UK’s first VPP projects are proving the concept

The Indian solar juggernaut shows few signs of slowing down en route to its huge target of 100GW by 2022. But, as Tom Kenning, recent policy developments could create a few bumps in the road along the way

As described in the previous pages, tracking and bifacial technologies combined offer the prospect of higher energy outputs. Javier Guerrero, R&D manager at Soltec, one of the pioneers of bifacial tracking, explains some of the lessons the company has learned about optimising tracker design for bifacial modules

The term “big data” has recently become something of a buzzword in PV circles. But how are companies using this data and is it generating useful intelligence or merely information overload? Catherine Early reports

Community solar is the fastest growing segment in the US. Ben Willis looks at some of the legal and financing drivers helping propel the sector forward, and the ongoing challenges it faces in fulfilling its potential

Ben Willis look at the latest developments in some of the most promising emerging PV markets worldwide. This issue features Ukraine, Zambia and Ethiopia

Bifacial technology promises significant reductions in the levelised cost of electricity for PV systems, and almost all major PV suppliers are already producing or planning bifacial modules. Hartmut Nussbaumer, Markus Klenk, Andreas Halm & Andreas Schneider give an overview of the currently available bifacial modules and cell technologies and adapted mounting solutions

Community solar is the fastest growing segment in the US. Ben Willis looks at some of the legal and financing drivers helping propel the sector forward, and the ongoing challenges it faces in fulfilling its potential