Opinion & Analysis

Vertical solar at airports can reduce energy costs, provide a revenue stream and enhance operational efficiency and public image.

As battery energy storage system costs plunge, energy price volatility is shortening payback times for storage solutions. This shift, driven by a surge in intermittently generating renewables, and ongoing innovations in battery manufacturing, marks a pivotal moment for energy markets worldwide.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Amila Colakhodzic, Senior Originator and Client coverage at Austria-based Kommunalkredit. She says she constantly prioritizes open communication and inclusivity while challenging biases. “Despite women being the largest untapped resource in renewable energy, the solar sector has improved significantly. Since transitioning from wind to solar in 2018, I’ve witnessed technological advancements and increased diversity, with women taking on technical, commercial, legal, and leadership roles,” she states.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that solar production across much of Europe is expected to dip over the weekend as a significant low-pressure system draws polar air across the continent, bringing the first large widespread snowfall of the season.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.

Martin Schachinger, founder of pvXchange.com, says the 8% price drop in November for solar modules could mark the end of sustained declines, as market signals are pointing to a possible recovery.

“The MENA region – the next hot market for energy storage?” I asked in an article back in October 2017. It took a bit longer than I expected, but seven years later it’s time to replace the question mark with an exclamation mark. It’s hot indeed.

Radiative cooling is an emerging technology that holds the potential to enhance the performance and longevity of PV modules. Researchers from the Institute of Nanotechnology of Lyon explain how this technology may reach commercial maturity.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to renewable energy expert Ercilia Estrada Garzona. She says it’s crucial to recognize the pervasive negative assumptions about mothers regarding their ambition and commitment to their careers. “To combat these biases, organizations must take decisive action. This can be achieved by normalizing parental leave for all parents, ensuring transparency in career advancement and promotion prospects post-leave, and developing robust support systems to help employees transition back to work smoothly,” she states.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the upcoming Australian summer is likely to see cloudier than usual conditions, potentially reducing solar generation across key regions, especially along the East Coast.