In arid regions soiling can greatly impact the energy yield of PV systems and drive up their O&M costs. Benjamin Figgis, Amir Abdallah, Maulid Kivambe, Brahim Aissa, Kamran Ali, Cédric Broussillou and Veronica Bermudez of the Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute and Klemens Ilse of the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics review the main challenges associated with soiling of PV plants globally, and the most promising techniques for dust prevention and cleaning in dry climates, drawing on research results from six years of PV performance and soiling studies at the QEERI’s Outdoor Test Facility in Doha
Claims that net-zero goal and 2.5TW of PV are ‘technically and economically feasible’ by mid-century come as reports suggest Beijing could axe large-scale PV subsidies next year.
Costs have tumbled to such an extent that new-build LCOEs are catching up with marginal costs of non-renewables, says firm in update that finds storage is too becoming more competitive.
Carbon Tracker analysis urges Asian state to ditch coal investments after finding solar will fully outcompete fossil fuel by 2025, followed by wind power in 2027.
PV Tech quizzes HIPERION’s promoters over potential strengths but also cost challenges of Insolight’s planar optical micro-tracking process, tested outdoors and supported with €10.6m EU grant.
Fitch Solutions: Utility-scale growth favoured by competitive bidding will see provinces including Gansu and Xinjiang regain top role they lost to coastal areas in 2016-2018 period.
C&I systems can already hit grid parity without need for government money across all major urban centres but profitability is mixed on a region-by-region basis, researchers say.
Industry claims it can help ensure energy transition is fair to all after EU study finds rolling out 580GW of solar could create synergies in de-industrialising regions.
Beijing could up solar production by 12-13% and unlock 51-74TWh if it acts against industrial and transport emissions driving sunlight dimming, researchers say.
Scheme by Dansk Solenergi bags funding of around US$1.2 million to test what promoters bill as weather-proof modules, with plans to hold full-scale trials.
