IRENA calls for greater gender inclusion in decentralized energy sector
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) latest report says that women’s roles in decentralized renewable energy are critical to achieving universal electricity access in underserved communities.
BP completes takeover of Lightsource business
Deal for 50.03% of Lightsource BP leaves oil and gas giant with total control of renewables developer. Lightsource BP is expected to continue trading with a standalone operating model, retaining its independent brand.
Sustainable steel for the solar industry
Steel manufacturing accounts for 8% of global energy demand and 7% of energy-related CO2 emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. The World Steel Association says energy use per ton of steel has dropped by 60% since the 1970s and steel is the world’s most recycled material, but there is still room for improvement. pv magazine’s UP initiative looks at opportunities for the industry to be greener, such as integrating solar and energy storage.
Sunrise brief: Solar panels: Larger, thinner… and weaker?
Also on the rise: TOPCon risks. Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space.
Positive early results from first test of perovskite tandem solar cells in space
The perovskite-silicon and thin-film tandem solar cells were developed by Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and placed on an OOV-Cube small satellite to test their reactions to high levels of radiation—and whether “soft” perovskite solar cells can heal after taking on radiation damage.
‘TOPCon technology comes with three or four relevant risks that should be known’
The results of this year’s Kiwa PVEL scorecard show that TOPCon technology is more vulnerable than PERC, and the failure rate at BOM level has increased to 41%, the highest in history, according to the testing lab.
Solar panels: Larger, thinner… and weaker?
With hailstorms in the United States and Australia severely damaging solar arrays – including “golf-ball sized” hail at the 350 MW Fighting Jays project in Texas in March 2024 – insurers are raising premiums and reducing or canceling hail coverage. Everoze Partner Simon Mason discusses the challenges the industry faces in minimizing its hail risk exposure.
Sunrise brief: Crux announces over $3.1 billion in tax credits transferred
Also on the rise: Sunrun and New York utility embark on residential virtual power plant. U.S. solar factories: From announcements to reality. And more.
Sunrun and New York utility embark on residential virtual power plant
In coordination with Orange and Rockland Utilities, the VPP program makes 300 solar-plus-storage systems available for grid stability.
U.S. solar factories: From announcements to reality
Now that incentives from the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are well understood, global manufacturers are announcing factories in the United States to constitute much of the solar supply chain. While some plans have been scrapped already, and more cancellations are expected, the broader trend is unprecedented growth.
