Solar may cover the world’s electricity demand with 0.3% of its land area
An international research group claims that raw materials and land availability do not present a real barrier for a global energy system with solar at its center. They said that forecasts for PV growth should not have their axis on utility-scale power plants and instead consider vertical PV, agrivoltaics, and floating PV as the source of future big market volumes.
Second-life batteries might beat new ones on solar LCOE in remote locations
UK scientists have discovered that second-life batteries could provide a lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) than conventional batteries in school buildings equipped with PV in East African schools. They said the cheapest system configuration uses either 7.5 kW or 10 kW of solar with 20 kWh of storage.
TERI recommends provisions for green fund in Union Budget 2023-24
Experts at TERI say the money collected as cess on coal could be used to create a Green Equity Fund and also provide viability gap funding for energy transition projects.
Emerging investment opportunities in India’s renewable energy sector
Corporate decarbonization, value chain integration, wind-solar hybrid projects, battery energy storage, offshore wind, green hydrogen, and value-added offerings such as energy-as-a-service are key trends and technologies shaping up India’s renewable energy sector and offering ample scope for investments.
US startup unveils portable solid-state lithium-ion battery for residential use
California-based Yoshino Technology has developed portable batteries using solid-state Li-NCM cell technology. The four variants come with power outputs of 330 W, 660 W, 2,000 W, and 4,000 W.
India installed about 14 GW of solar in 2022
India installed 13,956 MW of new solar capacity from January to December. This included 11.3 GW of utility-scale PV, about 1.9 GW rooftop, and nearly 700 MW off-grid/distributed.
Tata Power to set up India’s first group captive solar plant for a residential society
Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd will set up a 3.125 MW ‘group captive’ solar plant to supply power to the Vivarea Condominium residential society in Mumbai.
Impact of dust, heat, soiling on solar project performance
Scientists in Morocco recently conducted a year-long study on the impacts of soiling on PV modules in arid, dusty conditions. They found that soiling could contribute to daily performance losses of as much as 15%.
India misses 2022 renewables target of 175 GW by 30%
India has installed a cumulative renewables capacity (excluding large hydro) of 122 GW as of December 31, 2022, falling 30% short of its 175 GW target. While solar addition has remained more consistent than wind over the last few years, 2023 is going to be a challenging year for PV installation due to the shortage of domestically manufactured modules.
Solar in 2023
Here are three trends in the solar sector that will gain momentum in 2023, leading to wider PV implementation.
