PV Tech Power Papers

With the United States on the cusp of an IRA-driven surge in utility-scale PV deployment, Mark Bolinger and Joachim Seel of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory cover key technology and market trends in this synopsis of their annual “Utility-Scale Solar” report series

AI-based monitoring systems can help PV plant operators understand and manage the impacts of extreme conditions in a multitude of ways. George Heynes looks at some of the ways AI is being harnessed to bolster system output and longevity

Hail represents a significant threat to PV modules, more so as climate change increases the potential for severe storms. Simon Yuen looks at some of the methods being used to protect solar projects against hail damage

Tracker systems are emerging as a key tool in efforts to bolster PV system resilience in the face of extreme conditions. Jonathan Tourino Jacobo looks at some of the latest developments underpinning trackers’ growing status as an indispensable ingredient in solar’s continued growth

Research shows the ability of PV systems to withstand extreme weather conditions is down to rigorous design. James Elsworth of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the US looks at some of the engineering methods for bolstering PV infrastructure resilience in the face of ever increasing climatic and environmental threats

Aside from the immediate, visible damage, extreme weather events have a longer lasting impact on PV systems. NREL’s Dirk C. Jordan, Kirsten Perry, Robert White, Josh Parker, Byron McDanold and Chris Deline report on research revealing the long-term consequences of hail, wind and other weather phenomena on PV production

PV Tech Power Editors JP Casey and John Lubbock and Reporter George Heynes caught up with several experts to talk about the skills shortage in the solar industry in the UK and abroad and how this growing industry is approaching the issue.

Maria Popova of the European Federation of Energy Traders makes the case for power purchase agreements from renewable sources, as the sheer volume of renewables growth required to reach Europe’s climate target means that public financial support is unlikely to be sufficient for the task, and market-based instruments and mechanisms need to be deployed alongside.

PV Tech Power Editor John Lubbock examines the challenges of reforming the UK’s electricity market in the face of the increased rollout of renewables in the country.

Yezin Taha, Founder and CEO of Nevados Engineering, on how solar tracking technology can help eradicate the still common practice of levelling sites prior to installing solar panels – and thus avoid the problems, environmental impact and cost associated with site grading. This is an executive summery of a recent white paper by Nevados.