The Israeli authorities have introduced new regulations requiring rooftop PV on new large buildings, with plans to install 3.5 GW by 2040. The minimum production capacity has been set at 5 kW.

Researchers have designed a new tracking system that utilizes an arithmetic optimization-based PID controller. The proposed tracker uses two different sensor types – a UV sensor and a micro-electromechanical solar (MEMS) sensor. The first one calculates the intensity of UV radiation received from the sun, and the second one forecasts the sun’s path across the sky.

The Chinese manufacturer’s new battery energy storage system consists of an inverter ranging in size from 5 kW to 13 kW and a storage system of 10 kWh to 30 kWh. Up to five units can be connected in parallel.

Trina Solar says it has launched mass production of 430 W to 455 W full-black PV modules. The Vertex S+ panels have efficiencies of up to 22.8% and weigh 21 kg, with a 1.6 mm x 1.6 mm dual-glass design.

Agri-Light has launched its first pilot agrivoltaic project, using a two-axis solar installation on a rail system to move solar panels horizontally above a vineyard in the Negev Desert. The results are due this summer, and the company plans to build commercial projects in Israel and Spain next year.

Almost ten years after the “Powerwall 1,” US EV giant Tesla has launched its home battery system, Powerwall 3, in the United Kingdom and Germany. The Powerwall 3 is being officially presented at The smarter E Europe this week.

Scientists in South Africa have modeled a photovoltaic system connected to a thermoelectric cooling device and have found it may produce around 9.2% more electricity than conventional PV system without cooling. The research team claims the proposed system guarantees a minimum cost saving of 10.56%.

Slovakian scientists have developed a novel hydrophobic, antireflective coating for solar glass with a silica-titania thin film as the bottom layer and an inorganic-organic upper layer made of silica modified with triethoxy(octyl)silane. This new coating increases glass transmittance by 7% compared to uncoated glass.

Scientists have investigated different techno-economic scenarios for using hydrogen storage in combination with hydropower and pumped hydro storage in Switzerland. They have found that hydrogen storage plays no major role under most conditions.

Researchers in Japan have analyzed the warming effect of photovoltaic system on land surface temperature around the Kushida River Basin for ten years and have found this value increased by an average of 2.85 C.