Installations

Scientists in Czechia have proposed to use parallel inverters in PV systems to not only reduce instability, but also to increase power yield. The proposed approach reportedly results in higher maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performance.

Five energy infrastructure projects representing 750 MW of renewable energy generation and 524 MW/4,192 MWh of long-duration storage have been successful to the New South Wales government’s latest tender round as it prepares for the exit of coal-fired power generation from the state’s electricity grid.

Smart metering services provider Intellihub is seeking to develop digital infrastructure that will enable the orchestration of more than 150,000 otherwise scattered consumer energy generation and storage devices, helping to create more than 510 MW of flexible energy demand.

Renewable energy retailer SmartestEnergy Australia and Enel Green Power Australia have signed a long-term offtake agreement for the 93 MW Girgarre Solar Farm being developed in central Victoria.

Two new PV bike-path projects are now operating in the Netherlands under an initiative launched in 2018 by Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch water management agency.

Solar developer Lightsource bp has declared that proceeds from the sale of five utility scale PV projects in Australia with a combined capacity of more than 1 GW will be used to fast track the development of a pipeline of projects across the wider Asia Pacific region.

Solar technology manufacturing heavyweight Trina Solar has secured conditional development approval from the New South Wales government for a 200 MW solar farm to be developed in the state’s southeast.

Scientists in the United States has developed a new photovoltaic-thermal system design that utilises parallel water pipes as a cooling system to reduce the operating temperature of photovoltaic panels. The waste heat generated by this process is then used to generate domestic hot water.

European Union member states have installed a “record-breaking” 56 GW of PV over the last 12 months – consistent with the past three years of 40% year-on-year growth, according to SolarPower Europe. But the association warns that solar’s moment in the sun could soon be over, as energy prices stabilise and project interest rates skyrocket.

Australia’s independent energy markets and power systems operator has warned urgent investment in generation, firming and transmission is needed with forecasts showing the National Electricity Market needs to almost triple its installed capacity in less than 30 years.