Residential PV

Scientists in India have proposed using solar modules at the end of their lifecycle as a building material for low-cost small housing units. With solar module recycling currently not viable economically, the researchers said their approach makes conventional solar panels into BIPV products without any modifications.

Paul Wormser, vice president for technology at Clean Energy Associates, says PV initiatives should be designed to last, as several well-meaning off-grid solar projects for the developing world have floundered over the years.

Wood Mackenzie expects 270 GW of new global PV capacity in 2023, up 33% year on year. However, the annual growth rate is anticipated to fall to 1% in 2024 and to increase again by 5% in 2025.

Trina Solar has been given a green light by Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator, more than three years after finding the company had made a solar panel certification mistake which raised questions over manufacturing standards.

Chinese module manufacturer DAS Solar has launched an Australian subsidiary, an investment the company says reflects its confidence in the region’s solar market.

Queensland installer UV Solar has for the first time rolled out a new frameless solar panel that manufacturer GoodWe says is 60% lighter than conventional modules, making it ideal for rooftops that are unable to support traditional PV and racking.

The Victorian government has announced a new $10 million (USD 6.7 million) grants program to provide bulk rebates for the installation of solar panels, solar hot water systems and heat pumps as part of plans for all new homes in the state to be 100% electric from 2024.

The Alpha 150 battery, produced in the Netherlands by Adelaide-headquarted electronics manufacturer Redarc, has a lifespan of more than 5,000 cycles and a continuous discharge rating of 200 A.

Solar generation in Australia’s main electricity grid has surged to record highs with the latest data from the Australian Energy Market Operator revealing that rooftop solar generation increased 30% in the second quarter of 2023 while grid-scale solar output rose by 37%.

Researchers in Canada have found that nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) with on-site solar energy generation should not exceed an energy use intensity (EUI) of 50 kWh/m2a, which they said corresponds to a maximum of 10 floors. They also ascertained that the maximum permitted EUI by net-zero energy status is 17–28 kWh/m2a.