World could add more than 900 GW of solar by 2025 if politicians grasp the nettle – IEA
With the International Energy Agency publishing its latest five-year clean energy forecast today, pv magazine takes a look at the solar content of the 162-page document.
Botswana launches net metering scheme for rooftop PV
The new scheme, called Rooftop Solar Programme, is expected to allocate 10 MW of PV capacity over the next 12 months.
DC voltage regulation technique for grid-connected solar-plus-storage
Researchers in India have developed a new method to operate a solar-plus-storage system in a stable manner under varying operating conditions. They claim that their novel technique enables the regulation of the DC link voltage and is able to compensate reactive power while supplying active power to a local load in grid-connected operation.
SunRun’s Q3 earnings reveal strong growth
Sunrun has reported a strong third quarter, as order volumes have increased significantly.
Lubrication-free pedestal bearings to align solar modules
According to the manufacturer, the range of its pedestal bearings for the solar sector has a service life of more than 72 years.
PPA for PV facade in Germany
A 50 kW PV system is being built on the facade of a radiology center near Marburg’s main train station. The Marburg municipal utilities and the Sonneninitiative association have concluded a PPA that ensures the long-term financing of the project.
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.
