Research shows repaired PV modules can perform with acceptable losses
A research group in Spain has demonstrated the technical feasibility of using repaired solar modules with satisfying results. However it warned that there is an urgent need to define a protocol for evaluating the features of a “viable” repaired panel.
Rooftop PV market faces profit squeeze as sales slow
Rooftop PV is the fourth largest source of electricity generation in Australia, providing about 11% of the country’s power supply, but solar industry analyst SunWiz has cautioned the market to brace for a challenging period.
Helicopter does heavy lifting for 1.75 MW rooftop solar install
Access issues and time constraints prompted the developers of a 1.75 MW PV system that now sits atop an industrial warehouse in western Sydney to employ a helicopter to lift the thousands of solar panels onto the roof.
Solar windows, flexible film and PV paint tipped to provide power of future
More than half of Australia’s electricity demand is expected to be met by solar by 2050 but not as we know it with an industry expert tipping solar windows, photovoltaic paint, printed film, and more efficient tandem cells will play a key role.
Textile mill turns to 1 MW rooftop PV system to combat energy costs
Power solutions provider and manufacturer Quality Energy has completed the installation of a 1 MW rooftop PV system that will provide almost 30% of the annual electrical energy demand at an advanced textile manufacturing site at Wangaratta in regional Victoria.
Solar, wind completely replace diesel at South Pole station
A recent analysis shows that renewable energy could partially replace diesel fuel to power instruments and provide heat at the South Pole. A team of researchers has proposed a solar, wind and battery energy storage hybrid system that could reduce diesel consumption by 95% and save approximately $86 million over 15 years, after an initial investment of about $14.5 million.
Research shows high-albedo ground reflectors increase bifacial solar plant yield by up to 4.5%
Tests conducted by Canadian researchers at the NREL’s testing field in the United States have shown that ground reflectors based on high-density polyethylene can significantly increase bifacial PV plant performance. They stressed the profitability of this technology is strictly dependent on the location and warned about combining it with inverter clipping.
AGL delivers solar-powered microgrid for farming operation
AGL Energy has completed the installation of a solar-powered microgrid featuring a 5.4 MWh battery energy storage system that is to support the transition of a New South Wales commercial orchard’s operations from diesel to renewables.
Pacific Energy lands first NSW PPA and sets up shop in Victoria
Western Australian renewables infrastructure provider Pacific Energy has set up a new office in Victoria with the initial task of managing another first for the company, the delivery of a 26 MW hybrid power system in New South Wales.
Catch Power adds software with Solar Analytics acquisition
Energy management hardware specialist Catch Power has acquired solar monitoring platform Solar Analytics in a move it says will deliver the largest single advanced rooftop solar control and monitoring company in Australia.
