Articles written by Mark Ahlstrom

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Technology & Products
A stress test for all seasons Scientists led by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed a new stress testing protocol for PV modules, one designed to simultaneously expose modules to multiple stresses, as they likely would be in the field. Putting modules through this test, the researchers have already been able to reveal new information regarding backsheet degradation, and they promise new insights into other degradation mechanisms both known and unknown as well.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Oct 22, 2020
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Technology & Products
Update of the ITRPV roadmap shows three wafer formats will prevail In an update to its International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics, the German engineering association the VDMA said that solar module sizes of up to 4.0m² may be brought to mass production in the future.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Oct 22, 2020
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Technology & Products
First Solar changes course: now selling its thin-film solar panels into the distributed generation market The utility-scale solar pioneer and specialist is going small. After decades of avoiding distributed generation, its distributors will now offer First Solar’s series 6 modules to “projects and customers of all shapes and sizes.”
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Sep 09, 2020
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Technology & Products
Light and shade of 500 W plus solar panels – part II In the second article in a series, pv magazine editor Pilar Sánchez Molina and industry experts keep discussing the challenges and opportunities created by new panels with power output exceeding 500 W.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Sep 03, 2020
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Technology & Products
‘High brand recognition’ meets modern features in new GE inverter A new solar inverter is set to arrive on Aussie shores, in the form of the 5 kWp GE rooftop unit. Having received one of the first systems to roll off production lines, SolarQuip’s Glen Morris describes the unit as combining all the features of a modern solar inverter, with “high brand recognition.”
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Sep 02, 2020
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Technology & Products
Light and shade of 500 W plus solar modules – part I In the first article of a series, pv magazine editor Pilar Sánchez Molina analyzes with industry experts challenges and opportunities created by new panels with power output exceeding 500 W.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Sep 02, 2020
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Markets & Policy
4 reasons why a gas-led economic recovery is a terrible, naïve idea Australia’s leading scientists today sent an open letter to Chief Scientist Alan Finkel, speaking out against his support for natural gas.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Aug 25, 2020
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Technology & Products
World’s largest battery storage system now operational It’s a title that is becoming more contentious by the day, but for the time being, LS Power’s 250 MW Gateway project in San Diego, California, is the biggest storage battery in the world.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Aug 20, 2020
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Technology & Products
JA Solar launches 800 W solar panel The new product, currently the most powerful panel on the market, was showcased at the SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai. Also presented at the fair was a 780 W product from Tongwei and a 660 W module from Trina.
Paul Zubrinich, pv magazine
Aug 14, 2020
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