Weekend Read: A 10 GW time bomb
It is estimated that 10 GW of solar modules in Germany suffer from prematurely aging backsheets, with sites of all sizes affected. Here we look at how to detect and repair such defects.
Study shows biosolar rooftop system benefits power output
A group of Australian researchers say they have confirmed the benefits of combining rooftop solar installations with ‘green’ roofs with new research showing the combination increased solar generation by as much as 107% during peak periods.
Mitigating residential duck curve via solar pre-cooling
Solar pre-cooling consists of using residential PV systems to run air conditioners to pre-cool residential and commercial buildings. It offers benefits in terms of mitigating low minimum demand in electricity networks, flattening the grid’s net demand profile, and reducing electricity bills.
Top five solar inverter vendors accounted for 71% of shipments in 2022
Global inverter shipments increased to 330 GW last year with Huawei, Sungrow, Ginlong, Solis, Growatt and GoodWe named as the top vendors.
Novel AI-based tech to identify rooftop solar systems from aerial images
The model utilises deep learning and image processing techniques and is said to offer “superior performance.” In the future, it might be able to differ between panels of PV and solar thermal systems.
Biwatt unveils new residential sodium-ion batteries
Biwatt Power, a Chinese manufacturer, has developed new residential sodium-ion batteries with an efficiency rate of 97% and a projected lifespan of more than 3,000 cycles.
Switch to all electric tipped to save households $4,320 a year
Australian households that make the shift to all-electric energy-efficient appliances, combined with solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicles, could save $3,500 a year by 2030 and $4,320 by 2050 compared with a fossil-fuelled household that relies on gas appliances and petrol or diesel vehicles.
Winaico releases 525 W TOPCon solar panels
Taiwanese manufacturer Winaico has developed new 525 W TOPCon solar panels with a power conversion efficiency of 22.1% and a temperature coefficient of -0.30% per degree Celsius.
Rooftop solar system average size climbs above 9 kW
The average size of rooftop solar systems installed in Australia has climbed to a new high with data analysis from the Australian Energy Council showing the typical unit size is now averaging more than 9 kW.
Origin teams with Coles on 20 MW solar and battery rollout
Origin Energy and supermarket giant Coles have partnered to deploy 20 MW of solar at up to 100 supermarkets and liquor stores throughout Australia in a deal that will allow the energy gentailer to use excess electricity generated by the installs to ease pressure on the grid during peak demand periods.
