New software modelling tool for agrivoltaics
Sandbox Solar, a solar developer and US federal grant recipient, has released a beta version of its software modelling tool for agrivoltaic power plants. It supports the design and optimisation of solar panels, as well as the crops underneath.
Weekend read: A moral trilemma
US solar was disrupted in 2022, with module seizures delaying projects due to strict laws designed to stamp out alleged forced labor practices in sections of the Chinese PV industry. However, it remains to be seen whether seizures affected such alleged practices.
Redflow to work with Ameresco on solar-plus-storage solution
Australian battery manufacturer Redflow has inked a deal that will see it supply its “non-lithium” energy storage technology to clean energy outfit Ameresco which is looking to develop integrated solar and zinc-bromine flow battery solutions for its customer base throughout North America and Europe.
Silicon anode lithium-ion battery cell with 500 Wh/kg density
Amprius has obtained third-party performance verification for a battery cell that offers high power density in a lightweight package.
Viability of ‘direct’ green hydrogen fuel production evaluated by US researchers
Rather than using solar or wind to power electrolysis, researchers are testing the competitiveness of photoelectrochemical cells to produce emissions-free hydrogen fuels.
Global study highlights potential of floating solar
An international group of researchers has calculated the potential for floating solar across the world. The results show a generation potential of 9,434 TWh per year across 114,555 global reservoirs, with 30% of their area covered. The United States leads with 1,911 TWh per year of potential, with Australia coming in 8th, with 210 TWh per year.
Developer X-Elio sells to Brookfield extending fund’s position in Australia
Canadian investment giant Brookfield will acquire the remaining 50% stake in Spain-based renewables developer X-Elio from its joint venture partner, investment firm KKR. X-Elio has more than 500 MW of projects in development in Australia and the move from Brookfield, which is also currently looking to takeover Origin Energy, a major Australian “gentailer,” extends the ambitious company’s hold in Australia.
Solar grazing methods a centrepiece of inaugural agrivoltaics conference
Dan French, executive producer of the Solar Farm Summit, told pv magazine USA that more than 500 farmers, manufacturers, and community solar developers likely attended the first US agrivoltaics conference in Chicago last week.
Reshoring of US solar manufacturing
The Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) latest white paper on solar and storage manufacturing includes an interactive map. It shows that momentum has started to build for a transformational expansion of domestic solar and storage manufacturing.
Agrivoltaics market valued at $14 billion
The global agrivoltaics market is pegged at a 10.1% annual growth rate, according to a research note by Allied Analytics.
