Products

Belgian start-up Sunslice has developed small, portable, high-performance solar panels that can be applied to backpacks and be used as rechargers for smartphones and watches.

It is now a well-established trend. After the switch to larger wafer sizes played out in 2019, this year has seen virtually all of the biggest PV manufacturers introduce new modules in dimensions above the 2-meter mark, and with power ratings in excess of 500 W – in some cases, as high as 800 W. As these modules begin to roll off production lines in larger quantities, it’s vital to take a look at the challenges and opportunities they bring to system design, installation, and long-term operation.

Australian design and manufacturing company PVDymanics has unveiled a solar canopy technology which can be used with both framed and frameless solar modules. The company believes its system can revolutionize the micro-grid market.

Also in the brief: Iberdrola’s deal worth $8.3 billion adds PNM Resources to its Avangrid business. The value of energy storage for military resilience. And Also emotional ownership is the key to delivering community solar.

Bigger PV module designs are now hitting the market, but the production of larger, more powerful solar panels is challenging. Canadian Solar is launching its new Series 7 modules with pv magazine in a webinar on Oct. 29. Our editorial team recently caught up with Canadian Solar’s chairman and CEO, Shawn Qu, and director of module R&D, Alan Xu, to discuss the company’s latest efforts to shake up the market.

Tesla’s solar and battery businesses show signs of life in another profitable quarter for the EV maker.

Bloomberg NEF’s head solar analyst, Jenny Chase is decidedly unimpressed with perovskite, floating solar (solar onna boat) or — as of her latest #unpopularopinions on solar thread on Twitter — agrivoltaics (solar onna field).

The two new options, 0.99% APR for a 20-year loan and 1.99% APR for a 25-year loan, come at a time when installers and homeowners are increasingly cost-conscious, especially considering the impending ITC step-down.

IHS Markit: At 10% market share, Swinerton Renewable Energy maintained its position as the preferred EPC contractor in the U.S. First Solar and Cypress Creek intend on exiting the EPC segment, creating opportunities for established local EPCs and the emerging group of international firms eyeing the growing U.S. utility-scale market.

The company has developed a photonic smart coating that it claims will increase the per panel power output by 20%, driving down overall project costs.