Algeria’s first mounting system manufacturer
SPS, an Algerian metal sandwich panel manufacturer, has signed a partnership deal with Dubai-based mounting system provider Qi-energy to begin production of mounting structures for PV systems in Algeria.
Solar costs have fallen 82% since 2010
The levelized cost of energy generated by large scale solar plants is around $0.068/kWh, compared to $0.378 ten years ago and the price fell 13.1% between 2018 and last year alone, according to figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Schletter increases production capacity in China
The German mounting system maker has expanded its production capacity in Shanghai after opening a new, bigger fab in March.
New method for life cycle assessment of PV technologies
Researchers in Australia have conducted a ‘cradle to grave’ life cycle assessment (LCA) of the four most widely used PV technologies. The academics say that cadmium telluride solar modules have the lowest life cycle impact, followed by amorphous, multi and monocrystalline silicon products.
Nextracker the largest tracker provider in 2019
The ten largest solar tracker companies accounted for 88% of the market last year, according to analyst WoodMackenzie, with the market growing 20% from 2018.
Manz to partially resume operations after Easter
The PV production equipment manufacturer said its employees will return to work at to two locations in Germany as planned after the Easter break, despite concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic.
No show, no problem: solar industry solutions to canceled events
In light of the slew of trade shows and industry events canceled over the Covid-19 pandemic, solar companies and industry leaders have moved online, with virtual presentations, information sessions, and product debuts to get you through quarantine.
Intersolar Europe canceled
Another big solar event has joined the list of those canceled because of Covid-19. The next edition of The Smarter E event will take place next year.
Floating PV learning from aquaculture industry
The CEO of Norwegian floating solar company Ocean Sun has spoken to pv magazine about his company’s innovative design for floating PV projects in near-shore locations and semi-sheltered waters. A pilot project built in the Philippines last year, said Børge Bjørneklett, is providing better-than-expected power output.
Study of 100,000 arrays finds proactive O&M preferable
The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory examined five-year data to observe the most common system failure points and how to prevent them. Researchers considered residential, commercial and utility scale plants and found interesting results. While failures cannot be avoided completely, a key takeaway was that close monitoring and timely repair can effectively mitigate the financial effects of failures.
