System Integration

Floating solar applications continue to grow both in terms of project size and geographical reach, however there remains some uncertainty around the demands placed on balance of system components away from the module, such as floats, clamps, cabling and other electrical equipment. TÜV Rheinland’s Jörg Althaus details the factors that may influence purchasing decisions when it comes to FPV projects.

New technologies are emerging to help constrained grids integrate an increasing number of solar projects. Molly Lempriere takes a look at three case studies of where technology is helping to decarbonise the grid faster.

Accurate generation modelling and forecasting is integral to not just the financial performance of operational solar farms, but how they are integrated into modern grids. A study from Monash University in Australia has proven how artificial intelligence approaches can help drastically improve performance forecasts. Dr. Christoph Bergmeir, who led that study, details its key learnings.

Spencer Jansen, head of new technology solutions at developers Hive Energy and Ethical Power, assesses how the introduction of large-format solar modules has had repercussions throughout the solar design and procurement process.

Boris Farnung and Keith Punzalan of VDE and David Moser of EURAC’s Institute for Renewable Energy take a look at the positive impact comprehensive quality assurance measures can have on the early stage of a project’s lifespan, exploring yield assessments, LCOE projections and the critical need for high quality components.

With green hydrogen from renewables at the core of a number of decarbonisation strategies globally, the first large-scale projects face a number of challenges integrating into the energy system. Molly Lempriere explores the barriers to developing large-scale green hydrogen, the technologies easing interaction and the benefits of hydrogen for grid balancing and storage.

How Mytilineos overcame numerous hurdles to deliver one of Chile’s largest solar projects to date.

The proliferation of renewables and other distributed energy resources is pushing existing grid infrastructure to the limit, prompting renewed efforts to modernise. But with new hardware coming at such a high price, it’s imperative these investments get the biggest bang for their buck. Here, the US Interstate Renewable Energy Council establishes five key principles for grid modernisation.

As the proliferation of grid-scale renewables accelerates, capacity on national grids is diminishing just as quickly, leading to harder to find and ever-costlier connection agreements. Liam Stoker assesses some of the alternative options grid operators are exploring to extortionate grid upgrades.

Later this year, a new set of industry guidelines will for the first time codify a set of best practices for EPC contractors. Ahead of publication, members of Solar Power Europe’s O&M task force look at some of the critical areas of PV system integration where high-quality EPC work can most effectively influence a project’s lifetime performance.