Green roof improves solar panel efficiency by 3.6% on average
The comparison of two solar cladded roofs in Sydney, Australia, one bare beneath its panels and the other adorned with native grasses and plants, has found the panels on the green roof were, on average, 3.63% more efficient, producing an average daily output 13% greater than the conventional roof. The improvements are believed to stem […]
US residential PV pricing fell 6.3% over past 12 months
Residential solar installation price declines have accelerated over the past year in the U.S. solar market. However, energy storage pricing has gone up, with Enphase taking an increasingly larger share of the market. EnergySage has released its thirteenth Solar Marketplace Intel Report, in which the company shows that customers were quoted 27% lower prices in the […]
SMA, Renusol link planning tools
The German companies plan to combine their tools for project planning and battery systems via a new interface. They aim to simplify the work processes of planners and installers. German inverter manufacturer SMA will pair its Sunny Design tool with mounting-system specialist Renusol’s PV-Configurator 3.0 platform via a new interface to make work processes for […]
Average PV system sizes rising in Australia
The Australian Energy Council’s quarterly solar report points to something getting bigger in the solar industry that isn’t just about large-format modules – average PV system sizes are getting bigger in Australia. As few would disagree, large-format modules are the talk of the solar industry at the moment and many are asking whether […]
New report says India nearing 7 GW of rooftop solar
New report says India nearing 7 GW of rooftop solar Bridge To India’s latest report shows India installed a cumulative rooftop solar capacity of 6,792 MW as of December 31, 2020. Capital expenditure (capex) model, wherein consumers own the system, accounted for a majority of this capacity (72%). India’s cumulative installed capacity of rooftop solar stood […]
Growing lettuce in a solar-powered greenhouse
Growing lettuce in a solar-powered greenhouse Scientists in the United States have analyzed how semitransparent organic solar cells placed on the roof of a greenhouse may impact crop production. They assessed, in particular, how solar power generation may affect lettuce crops and found that the plants not only grow unhindered but also that the solar […]
Total and Google Cloud develop tool to predict rooftop PV potential
Total and Google Cloud develop tool to predict rooftop PV potential The Solar Mapper uses artificial intelligence algorithms that compile data extracted from satellite images. It can estimate site solar potential and indicate the most suitable technology. French energy company Total and Google Cloud have developed the Solar Mapper analytical prediction tool to accelerate PV deployment by […]
What is distributed generation’s real worth for the grid?
What is distributed generation’s real worth for the grid? A thought experiment by UC Berkeley energy economist Severin Borenstein suggests how much rooftop solar could reduce transmission and distribution costs in the United States. California and other locations are moving to renewable energy at high speed. But even in these forward-leaning areas, there […]
Japan’s struggle to drive down renewables costs
Japan’s struggle to drive down renewables costs A nation famous for high electricity prices has seen power costs fall 15% this year, according to analyst Wood Mackenzie, a figure which will help attract $100 billion of solar and wind investment to 2030. Renewables will have to work even harder, however, to displace fossil fuels in […]