Holistic approaches to reliability
A new report published by the European Technology and Innovation Platform outlines the need for continuing research into the reliability of PV systems and components, and for the collection and sharing of performance data. The report recommends a holistic approach to reliability, going beyond current testing standards to identify new degradation mechanisms, and making use of sensors and drone imaging to monitor systems in the field to prevent and report on system failures.
IRENA: Urban renewables infrastructure needs to be concentrated in fastest-growing cities
Only 1% of Africa’s utility scale solar projects are within 20km of city limits, according to a new report, despite the fact the continent is expected to have around a billion more city dwellers by mid century.
Hybrid salp swarm algorithm for MPPT optimization
Indian researchers have created a hybrid salp swarm algorithm to optimize MPPT tracking in PV systems under partial shading conditions. It is based on the swarming behavior of salps in the ocean.
NREL’s performance ratio method applied to thousands of PV systems
Researchers have analyzed the monthly performance ratio of 8000 PV installations distributed across the United Kingdom by using the calculation model of the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. They measured, in particular, thermal impact on the performance ratio (PR) and found that Spring and Summer seasons have higher monthly PR compared to Autumn and Winter.
Italy’s Lombardy region adds another €20 million for residential PV+storage
Italy’s most affluent region will continue to support solar+storage installations with rebates, and the authorities plan to roughly triple funding this year.
New rooftop PV inverter series from Indian manufacturer
Power electronics specialist Best Power Equipments has launched a product range with a power rating of 1-60 kW and efficiency of up to 98%.
World is set for 3.3C temperature rise, predicts Bloomberg
Although the global solar industry might be cheered by the prospect of a healthy slice of an expected $12 trillion, 30-year windfall, governments are falling far short of steering us clear of catastrophic global heating, according to the analyst’s latest New Energy Outlook report.
Major economies should divert fossil fuel Covid-recovery cash to clean energy before it’s too late
A report by Finnish company Wärtsilä has estimated the potential impact if every dollar committed to a non-renewables energy sector recovery was instead funneled to clean power.
Cape Town mayor Plato anything but philosophical about Eskom power
The city’s executive mayor has said his officials are working with staff at the national Treasury to draw up a program for municipalities across the nation to turn to independent generators for electricity.
India added 883 MW of rooftop solar in nine months despite Covid-19
With 380 MW of generation capacity, the state of Gujarat accounted for 43% of new rooftop solar installations during the January-to-September period.
