Balance of Systems

In this three-part series, pv magazine will highlight some of the major obstacles faced when developing solar installations on single-axis tracker and see the different approaches that players in the industry are taking to neutralize each issue.

In this three-part series, pv magazine will highlight some of the major obstacles faced when developing solar installations on single-axis tracker and see the different approaches that players in the industry are taking to neutralize each issue.

Also on the rise: Hot carrier solar cells could potentially breaking the Shockley-Queisser limit of silicon-based photovoltaics. Job moves at Nexamp, Algonquin Power & Utilities, and more. Photovoltaic cell harvests energy day and night. Power Factors selected to manage Vesper Energy’s development pipeline. New inverter from SMA for residential, commercial PV. Aluminum-nickel molten salt battery for seasonal renewables storage. Nautilus completes 24.9MW community solar portfolio in New York.

pv magazine sat down with Nextracker CEO Dan Shugar to discuss how customer feedback drives engineering innovation, and the potential unlocked by expanding the terrain that trackers can be installed on.

Also on the rise: Indiana ruling paves the way for HOAs to allow solar. Shoals opens manufacturing facility in Tennessee. NASA announces advances in space solar and thin films. Majority of homeowners want solar but need help with upfront financing. Rocket Lab unveils space solar cell with 33.3% efficiency.

Also on the rise: New York solar plan needs some tweeks to support energy justice. Jobs moves at NREL, CPower, Brattle Group, and more. FTC solar uses novel approach to tackle the damage potential of dynamic and static wind loads on single axis trackers. Sacramento utility signs its largest solar and storage PPA with D.E. Shaw.

In a change from previous years’ reports, however, balance of systems costs have increased or remained flat across sectors in 2021.

Also on the rise: Large format modules are gaining market share and presenting a new set of challenges, Honeywell and Duke will jointly test a flow battery, and Sunnova will offer EV charging through a partnership with ChargePoint.

German scientists have assessed demand for resources such as glass and silver until 2100 and have found that current tech learning rates could be sufficient to avoid supply concerns.

Several of the projects also aim for lower costs for PV module materials or PV racking, as well as for lower defect rates on module assembly lines.