Archives: Exclusive Articles

Editor’s note

In the pursuit of a cleaner and sustainable future, the demand for renewable energy, particularly from wind power, has witnessed remarkable growth over the years. As the sector continues to thrive, companies strive to innovate and provide improved solutions for the erection, assembly, and maintenance of onshore and offshore wind turbines. It is our pleasure… Read more »

Solar and storage for eco-friendly glamping

The Hideaway, Baxby Manor near York planned to expand its range of accommodation with the addition of several fully equipped holiday Kabinas, but was reaching the capacity limit of its 60 A single phase grid supply. As the campsite aims to offer eco-friendly holiday lets, the owners decided to complement the power supply with a… Read more »

Why solar safety matters

Solar power is the number one energy source in renewable energy for today and the near future. The increase of photovoltaic capacity accounts for more than two-thirds of the renewable energy market and is the fastest growing green energy source, according to analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Solar energy is also set to… Read more »

Setting a new standard for module reliability with testing innovation

As the solar industry matures, manufacturers and project developers are becoming more and more focused on ensuring the long-term reliability of solar modules. There are inherent challenges to predicting the performance of a module over a potential lifespan of 30 years or more, but innovative approaches are emerging from leading manufacturers. PES spoke with LONGi… Read more »

Verifying the science behind anti-soiling coatings

ChemiTek Solar, a Portuguese industrial manufacturer specialising in anti-soiling coatings for PV modules, in collaboration with The Green Energy Park in Benguerir, Morocco, has successfully concluded the outdoor testing and characterisation of its solutions. The results have been published by Heliyon, the all-science, open access journal. Here, PES takes a look at the findings. The… Read more »

Pioneering solar technology

With the clean energy generation becoming more prevalent every day, manufacturers within the industry play a crucial role in the implementation of solar energy projects around the world. A leading supplier of mounting systems for solar modules, Mounting Systems GmbH has established itself as a trail blazer in the sector. In this article, we take… Read more »

Unlocking lifetime solar power plant efficiency with smart solar irradiance and weather monitoring

Renewable energy has become a crucial focus in the fight against climate change, driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate the impact of global warming. Fossil fuel energy production has been the primary contributor to GHG emissions, causing approximately 75% and nearly 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. The consequences are… Read more »

Watertight installations in a flash

DEKS was established in Melbourne, Australia in 1947 and created the first and original rubber roof flashing. Its focus was on creating, manufacturing and distributing leading brands within the roofing, drainage and plumbing industries ever since. Now, the company is applying its roofing knowledge to the solar market to provide protection and efficiency for domestic… Read more »

Keeping expansion plans on track

Ideematec has industry experience in 25 countries across six continents, shipping over 4 GW of trackers worldwide. Now it faces perhaps its biggest challenge to date, playing its part in providing enough low-cost electricity to power around 130,000 Texas homes. PES was keen to hear all about the project from Ideematec, Inc. President & CEO… Read more »

Next level construction

More power, larger modules, more efficient solar power production; with the enormous leaps in development in the solar industry, the foundations must also be right. The innovative mounting system PMT EASY from Premium Mounting Technologies (PMT) introduces the next level of safe and reliable solar module mounting. The energy turnaround has picked up speed. Although… Read more »

Making strong connections to maximise efficiency

Sector coupling is an effective means of achieving the energy transition efficiently. The aim is to effectively connect sectors such as industry, buildings and transport. When they are interconnected and the components of energy generation from renewable energies are combined, CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced. Storage solutions help to balance out volatile renewable energies…. Read more »

Meeting ESG targets with commercial and industrial PV installation

Generating their own solar power is an increasingly attractive option for businesses that are looking to optimise their operations and demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability. For commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses with suitable load-bearing roofs or ground space, solar power generation comes with a range of benefits, from energy independence to cost savings and… Read more »

Energy storage solutions for greener living

Offering sustainable and efficient off-grid power solutions, a new technology company focused on renewable energy storage products will be launching in the UK in January 2024. The product range includes both innovative portable power station and residential energy storage.  Marxon, sister company of Leoch Battery, aims to be at the forefront of innovative green energy… Read more »

Empowering PV performance evaluation under NOCT outdoor conditions

As the demand for renewable energy continues to rise, the need for efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) technologies becomes increasingly pressing. Perovskite and bi-facial modules have gained significant attention due to their potential for high efficiency and versatility. However, to ensure their successful deployment on a global scale, it is imperative to conduct extensive onsite… Read more »

Harnessing the sun to
decrease your carbon footprint

Energy self-consumption refers to the practice of generating renewable energy and utilising it directly within the premises where it is produced. This concept has gained significant relevance in 2023, as the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and the need to transition to sustainable energy sources. It allows individuals, households, and… Read more »

Lighting up Las Vegas

The most anticipated clean energy trade show of the year, RE+ 2023, is set to take place from September 11th to 14th, at the iconic Venetian Conference and Expo Center and Caesars Forum in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Following the roaring success of RE+ 2022, which boasted a staggering attendance of 27,000, this… Read more »

Powering a better tomorrow

Pol Spronck, Managing Director of Solarwatt Technologies Ltd, talks to PES about the company’s mission to make clean energy easily accessible to as many people as possible. What are the products, services and solutions that will make this happen and how far have they come in their journey so far? PES: Welcome to PES Pol…. Read more »

Mastering HJT, the solar technology of the future

Heterojunction solar cell technology (HJT) has revolutionised the way we think about solar energy. The cells are made from two materials, crystalline silicon and amorphous thin-film silicon, to create a ‘sandwich’ effect, layered on top of each other and separated by a thin layer of intrinsic amorphous silicon. This combination allows for better charge carrier… Read more »

Towards a connected future

With its proven expertise, cross-industry innovation and a broad range of connectivity solutions, TE Connectivity is establishing an intelligent link between the panel and the grid. Daniel Ribeiro, Global Product Manager, Solar Energy Division and Michael Kazimierczuk, Director Sales AMS, Renewables and Industrial, of the Energy Business Unit explain how the business is helping to… Read more »

Innovative solar autarky

There has been an influx of hybrid solar inverters hitting the market recently, but few deliver the power, flexibility, and customer-pleasing visuals of Studer’s latest innovation, the next3 rack. As more energy users seek to reduce their costs and carbon emissions, the concept of solar autarky, complete self-sufficiency from sunlight, has become incredibly appealing. However,… Read more »

Fastening systems for reliability and longevity

Solar electricity generation saw a record share of total power output for 20 EU countries in 2022, and is projected to rapidly expand with new projects in the coming years. With expansion comes the challenge of delivering new capacity quickly and sustainably to meet energy demand. To address that challenge, solar project components need to… Read more »

Powering up with N-Type solar cells

Founded in August 2018, DAS Solar aimed to achieve rapid development through innovation. With years of technological accumulation and a keen understanding of future PV technologies, it quickly recognised that N-type is the next generation, establishing a dedicated research and development team to focus on this high-efficiency technology. Vincent Cao, Senior Vice President, explains more… Read more »

Robotics solving solar’s vegetation management problem

PES talks to Renu Robotics’ CEO Tim Matus again for an update on the latest concerning autonomous technology in the solar industry.  PES: Tim, it’s great to talk to you again. Please bring us up to speed on how Renu Robotics’ autonomous technology is solving the solar industry’s growing vegetation management problems. What’s the latest… Read more »

LED sun simulation offers cost savings

A sun simulator is the most important measurement device in the solar industry. It measures the electrical characteristics of solar cells and modules at the end of the production process or in the field. In the industry, the discussion about using Xenon or LED is ongoing for years. The following comparison provides data, not only… Read more »

Whatever the weather 

Providing reliable monitoring solutions for measuring onsite weather conditions continues to be an increasingly important part of successful solar projects through every stage, from planning and installation to maintenance. PES caught up with Eric Rollins, Business Development Manager for RainWise, to find out more about the latest technology for accurate weather monitoring. PES: It’s great… Read more »

A cleaner and safer solar solution

Belinus made a significant impact in Munich earlier this year, solidifying its position as a leading contender in the solar energy industry. The company’s engagement with field specialists who share its fundamental values and interests served as a testament to its esteemed reputation and commitment to advancing the field of solar energy. One of the… Read more »

On wide webs: laser structuring of flexible amorphous silicon PV cells

Numerous material choices and methodologies are available for photovoltaic modules, each presenting a distinct set of requirements, challenges, and opportunities. While creating small-scale prototypes of PV products is feasible, transitioning to industrial-scale production is a whole new undertaking. This article aims to provide insight into the factors, obstacles, and innovative solutions involved in facilitating the… Read more »

The coming revolution in utility-scale solar

PES met with Daniel Flanigan, Chief Marketing & Product Officer at Erthos, to find out more about the simplicity, performance, and economics of earth-mounted solar, and why their technology is poised to upend the utility-scale market. PES: Hi Daniel, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Perhaps we should start with some… Read more »

Levelling up energy storage

Jinko Solar is one of only three manufacturers globally listed as Top Performers seven consecutive times in the PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard. It implements a thorough quality check process, with 52 steps and continuous line monitoring for each cell and panel. Keen to learn more, PES sat down with Lucia Dolera, Business Development Manager… Read more »

Increasing the energy yield

Ellen Xue, TSUN Sales VP, discusses a breakthrough in microinverter technology with PES and explains the benefits, before taking a look at what the future may bring. PES: I’m looking forward to hearing more about TSUN today. Could we begin with a brief history of the company, for readers who might not be familiar with… Read more »

Agrivoltaics represents a new industrial farming revolution

Agriculture and energy are two of the most essential industries in the modern world. The food we eat and the electricity we consume are vital to sustaining life and keeping us moving. As land availability and climate change become increasingly vital issues, it’s no surprise that effective use of space has become a more hotly… Read more »

Shaping the future of photovoltaics

The European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) is one of the most prestigious events in the renewable energy sector. As we gear up for the EU PVSEC 2023, we highlight why attending this influential conference is a must for industry professionals, researchers, and key players in the field of photovoltaics. Plus, we… Read more »

Spearheading the solar revolution

With the ground broken on what will be Europe’s largest logistics center for power storage solutions and photovoltaic products, SKE is making a statement of intent to deliver innovation and training just when the sector needs them the most. PES was keen to learn more about the center itself and the Austrian company’s commitment to… Read more »

Monitoring and analytics enhances solar plant performance

Solar plants are adopting digital tools to improve site performance, with mixed success. Traditional asset performance management (APM) tools focus primarily on inverter data and DC-side performance issues but pay very little attention to tracker performance. Most tracker analytics are manual and focus mainly on actual versus expected angle trends. With a lack of detailed… Read more »

The emergence of a circular PV economy

The End-of-life (EOL) management of PV panels has been discussed for over a decade, with many reports, strategies, policies, and industries created to minimise their waste impact. As the cohesiveness of the European and USA PV value chain evolves, so too does access to new thinking and ways of designing, manufacturing, and operating to move… Read more »

West Africa’s first hybrid power plant demonstrates successful mix of solar and hydropower

Ghana has made remarkable progress in providing access to electricity. Currently, 43% of the total population in sub-Saharan Africa lacks electricity, but Ghana is on course to achieve full access within 18 months. The country is on track to achieve its goal of universal access to electricity by 2025, with the successful implementation of the… Read more »