2020

It is now a well-established trend. After the switch to larger wafer sizes played out in 2019, this year has seen virtually all of the biggest PV manufacturers introduce new modules in dimensions above the 2-meter mark, and with power ratings in excess of 500 W – in some cases, as high as 800 W. As these modules begin to roll off production lines in larger quantities, it’s vital to take a look at the challenges and opportunities they bring to system design, installation, and long-term operation.

Scientists in Germany evaluated multiple silicon cell concepts based on both cost and efficiency in serving as the bottom layer in a perovskite-silicon tandem cell. The study, based on both simulation and experimental work, outlines advantages to various approaches with the silicon cell and concludes that in almost every case, perovskite-silicon tandem cells have the potential to bring solar costs down below what could be achieved with silicon alone.

The two newly introduced green contracts, daily and weekly, are in addition to already operational intra-day and day-ahead contingency contracts in the green market. 

EPC contractors have until December 24 to bid for development of a cumulative 140 MW (AC) solar capacity across Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited’s substations, and 15 MW plus 4 MW (AC) at Charanka Solar Park.

The state-owned hydropower producer has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to select potential engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) service partners for building solar capacity of at least 100 MW (AC) anywhere in India on a turnkey basis.

The minimum solar tariffs discovered fell by 131.5% over the last five years, with an 18% drop achieved in the last five months alone.

A recent GOGLA report indicates an increasing trend towards hybrid power solutions that integrate DC solar with AC grid power, and appliances that integrate both AC and DC power. In particular, the sales of hybrid solar inverter UPS in India is growing at 25% annually, much faster than conventional inverters’ 10% annual market growth. 

The Coimbatore-based startup has designed an autonomous solar panel cleaning bot with a modular design, making it compatible with almost any structure, mounting area, or climatic condition.

The regulator has sought a detailed study after it received requests for reconsidering the useful life and capacity utilization factor (CUF) of solar projects as notified in draft regulations 2020.

Uttar Pradesh will get $430 million to upgrade distribution lines in rural areas and construct a parallel network of 11-kilovolt feeders spanning 17,000 km to separate electricity distribution between residential and agriculture consumers. The $132.8-million loan approved for Meghalaya will be used for the installation and upgradation of substations, distribution lines, etc.