Archives: Exclusive Articles

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 »

Inspection training pays off

The expectations of continued wind industry growth bring sustained challenges at many levels. One of these is finding the best way of expanding the workforce while maintaining safety and training standards, something that can be achieved with the correct training and support. Demand for wind turbine technicians is predicted to grow over the next five… Read more »

Counting the cost of lightning protection

Lightning strikes are powerful and awe-inspiring displays of nature’s fury. However, they can also wreak havoc on man-made structures, including wind turbines. According to industry experts, around 1 to 3 percent of lightning strikes to wind turbine blades result in blade damage. However, this figure can vary significantly, depending on the location of the wind… Read more »

Rugged, nimble, underwater robots help to maintain offshore wind farms

PES spoke with Brad Clause, an account executive specializing in offshore energy applications at VideoRay, the world’s leading manufacturer of underwater robotic systems. We wanted to learn how VideoRay systems can improve the efficiency of maintaining offshore wind monopiles and turbine jackets and foundations. PES: It’s lovely to welcome a new name to PES, and… Read more »

Lidar takes the lead: wind energy measurement in action

Around the globe, renewable generation capacity is exploding, as more countries seek to reach net zero in the decades ahead. With the world increasingly turning toward renewable sources, wind energy plays an increasingly prominent role in this transition. In the modern world of wind energy, the need for accurate and reliable wind measurement data has… Read more »

Online VR training for offshore excellence

Global wind capacity is set to grow to a staggering 1,400 GW by 2026, and the need for a skilled and experienced workforce is urgent. So much so that the industry needs to look outside of internal sources to find candidates. But how does the industry recruit effectively and sustainably, while ensuring that the skill… Read more »

Minimising asset downtime with predictive inspections

Hands-on predictive wind turbine inspections provide the most inclusive overview of the condition of a wind asset, highlighting issues and key degradation factors, providing asset owners with actionable insights. The increasing demand for renewable energy within the past few years has led to asset owners and operators placing an increased focus on reducing revenue losses… Read more »

The challenges of legacy CMS hardware in ageing turbines

As wind operators look to ensure their fleets are running as economically as possible, the use of data to improve asset management and predictive maintenance strategies is becoming increasingly vital. In the wind industry today, the benefits of Condition Monitoring Systems (CMS) are widely accepted to help achieve optimal wind turbine performance. More data from… Read more »

Go like the wind with offshore marshalling

Cape Breton Island, situated on the east coast of North America, is a region well-positioned for new economic opportunities and transformational change. Home to Novaporte, a 2,000+ acre greenfield port development, and some of the windiest waters in the world, the Island is perfectly poised for generational transformation. Cape Breton Island, with its green hills,… Read more »

Green hydrogen: overhyped or underestimated?

Across the globe, governments are betting on hydrogen, especially if it can be produced from wind and solar power as part of the net zero transition. While some developers are racing to announce GW-scale projects that will take decades to come online, others are considering smaller scale, near-term opportunities. In the UK, it is increasingly… Read more »

It’s not about the sensor, it’s about the data

‘It is not about the sensor’ is a brave statement from a company launching a brand-new wave sensor. So, what’s the thinking behind this? Miros, known for its high-accuracy wave sensors, decided to introduce WaveFusion™, its most recent product, with these words. ‘Let’s not rely on yesterday’s technology for tomorrow’s innovations and energy solutions.’ That’s… Read more »

Automated inspection set for a vital role in the future of offshore wind

As we look ahead to a prolonged rise in global demand for renewable energy, it’s clear that offshore wind is primed for explosive growth. The opportunities are significant and abundant, but so are the questions, including how operators can efficiently and quickly scale up and maintain capacity. According to Kieren Paterson, Managing Director of UK-based… Read more »

Onsite testing of offshore array cables

The design, installation and commissioning of offshore wind farms are facing several challenges for the inter array grid. The continuously increasing power ratings of the individual wind turbines leads to increasing operating voltages (Um), from 36 kV to 72.5 kV for the inter array cables to reduce operating currents and therefore thermal losses. As these… Read more »

The build-out of offshore wind energy and the need for robust O&M strategies

Since 1991 when Denmark became the first country to harness offshore wind to generate renewable energy, the offshore wind industry has been on a steep learning curve. The larger and more complex offshore wind farms require robust Operations and Maintenance (O&M) strategies, with efficient, capable, and reliable solutions. The O&M market has seen the introduction… Read more »

Realising Norway’s offshore wind ambitions

Norway’s burgeoning offshore wind ambitions may have been curtailed by the continuing dominance of oil and gas and delays in licensing, but local experience to support innovation remains crucial for tapping into the North Sea’s potential for renewable energy. Norway has long been a proponent of renewable and green energy, with hydropower playing a critical… Read more »

Editor’s note

As new wind energy projects are rapidly constructed, onshore and offshore, the world’s installed wind generation capacity is only set to escalate. But with growth comes challenges. In this issue of PES, we take a look at how the innovators in our industry are coming together to make light work of them. How is lidar… Read more »

Capturing the value of floating offshore wind

Floating wind can deliver affordable clean power given the right policy support, according to new research from DNV. Offshore wind has moved rapidly along the cost learning curve to become a more competitive investment option than fossil-fuel energy technologies in some locations. Front runner Europe has the largest and lowest cost installed offshore wind capacity…. Read more »