Solar Now

Why the Canada Solar Energy Market Is Growing With Clean Energy Demand  vocal.media
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IMPARTIAL NEWS + INTELLIGENT DEBATE
Account
Neighbours in an area of east London are hoping to pool resources to install solar panels on as many homes as possible, with 130 streets already showing an interest
As the Iran war drives up oil and gas prices, causing the UK to experience its second energy crisis in less than five years, an increasing number of households are looking to solar as a solution.
Renewable energy firms are reporting a surge in interest and data released last week shows 27,000 solar installs were completed in March, the highest monthly total in over a decade.
But one factor stands in the way of Britain embracing a solar revolution: the prohibitive up-front cost that prices out the majority of households.
HEALTH
Scientists have developed an at-home test which can predict a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study led by the University of Exeter.

It involves a finger-prick blood test and an online brain assessment to help identify people at the highest risk.
Finger-prick blood tests look for biomarkers, p-tau217 and GFAP, which have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.  
Scientists look at the blood test alongside computerised cognitive testing to identify risk.
The test results can be used to prioritise high-risk people for further testing and treatment.
Finger prick blood tests could revolutionise dementia diagnosis – they offer a low cost, scalable way to identify people who may be at higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and who should be offered further checks.
MONEY
The Bank of England (BoE) kept interest rates on hold last week, but some experts predict rises later in 2026, which could mean mortgage deals increase yet again.

Here are all the potential interest rises later this year, and what they could mean for your finances.
Rising inflation
The BoE increases rates as inflation climbs above its 2 per cent target. It is currently 3.3 per cent and set to rise to 3.75 per cent.
Iran war
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to rise due to the Middle East conflict pushing up oil prices which trickles down to goods and services.
Explained
5 min read
Last week, the BoE published three scenarios for the Middle East conflict – all of which saw inflation rising.
Some forecasters are predicting that the base rate could rise twice this year, taking it to 4.25 per cent.
What happens to your mortgage depends on which product you have and a range of external factors.
MONEY
3 min read
TRAVEL
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says serving alcohol before morning flights should be banned to tackle bad passenger behaviour.

With the problem getting worse, could this spell the end of a pre-flight pint?
O’Leary said Ryanair is now having to divert one aircraft a day because of passengers behaving badly. Ten years ago, this was just one diversion a week.
He said the mix of alcohol and drugs means the problem is getting worse, with passengers becoming aggressive and “hyper” rather than just falling asleep.
I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning…Who needs to be drinking beer at that time?
Routes from Britain to Ibiza, Alicante and Tenerife have posed a particular problem, but flights from Ireland and Poland also experience disruption.

It is a criminal offence to be drunk on board an aircraft, with those convicted facing large fines and up to two years in prison.

If a flight is diverted, the offending passenger can face airline bans, large compensation fees and prosecution in the country where the aircraft lands.

TRAVEL
3 min read
Pornhub’s parent company Aylo said Apple users who had confirmed their age with the company’s updated iOS would
be allowed back on the site.
LIFESTYLE
4 min read
Major platforms have been affected by the landmark Online Safety Act, with Pornhub seeing a 75 per cent drop in UK users since the introduction of more robust age checks.

However, critics have questioned whether people are simply using VPNs instead, allowing them to evade age checks by masking their IP addresses.
POLITICS
3 min read
ROYAL
The Princess of Wales is set to make her first official foreign visit since being diagnosed with cancer.

Kate, who revealed she was in remission last year, will travel to Italy next week on a trip with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Kate’s trip to Italy will be the first official overseas engagement in nearly three-and-a-half years. Her last visit was in December 2022, when she went to Boston, USA, with Prince William for his Earthshot Prize award ceremony.
She has been on unofficial trips to Marseille, France, for the Rugby World Cup in autumn 2023 and to the Crown Prince of Jordan’s wedding in Amman in June 2023.
The princess will visit the city of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy for two days from 13-14 May to focus on early years child development.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said Kate is “very much” looking forward to the trip, where she will learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy which focuses on children’s self-development.
Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer following abdominal surgery in January 2024, sparking widespread speculation.
WORLD
Donald Trump said his operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be paused “for a short period of time” due to “great progress” towards a deal with Iran.

Here is all you need to know about “Project Freedom” and what it means for tense relations between Iran and the US.
Trump announced Project Freedom on Sunday, saying it was a “humanitarian gesture” to help seafarers stuck in the Gulf.

The plan launched on Monday, with US Central Command (Centcom) saying it was “essential” to regional security and the global economy.

Iran responded saying it would attack US forces if they entered the strait.

LIVE
1 min read
LIVE
1 min read
On Friday, Trump said he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s latest peace proposal. Trump has repeatedly called for Iran’s nuclear programme to end, while Tehran has demanded the release of frozen assets. On Tuesday, he said “great progress” has been made on a deal, but it remains to be seen what that looks like.
Analysis
4 min read
Iran’s attempts to incite antisemitism in the UK “will not
be tolerated”, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Here are the main points from
the Downing Street summit.
The measures to protect the Jewish community come after the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green and a series of attacks at synagogues and other sites in recent months.

Starmer has faced criticism that he has not done enough to keep the community safe, and was heckled during a visit to the north London suburb on Thursday.
NEWS
7 min read
One of the lines of inquiry is whether a foreign state has been behind some of these incidents…Our message to Iran, or to any other country that might seek to foment violence, hatred or division in society, is that it will not be tolerated.
NEWS
Co-op has been secretly marking frequently shoplifted groceries with a special forensic spray to tackle the resale of stolen goods.

Here’s how the invisible spray works, and how the company hopes it will make shoplifting less profitable.
Co-op has been marking items with an invisible spray that contains a unique forensic code linked to the shop where it was originally sold, according to Retail Gazette.
Co-op has invested £250m in store security, including body-worn cameras for staff, reinforced kiosks for items such as spirits and tobacco, and shelf fixtures designed to stop thieves sweeping products into bags.
Where?
The scheme has been trialled in Manchester and London and will be rolled out across the UK.
Which items?
High-risk items such as alcohol, laundry detergent and confectionary have been sprayed.
Why?
The aim is to help Co-op and the police identify where stolen products are being resold, making theft less profitable.
NEWS
2 min read
One east London community believes it has the answer; community solar projects that use the power of collective bargaining and financing to lower costs and share the benefits of renewable energy.
What started as a single-street fundraising project is now expanding across Walthamstow, with over 130 streets signing up to lower their bills by becoming part of a community ‘power station’.
The Walthamstow Power Station project was born during lockdown, when artists Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell set out to answer a basic question.
“If we’re in a climate crisis, why isn’t renewable energy being put everywhere? We have the technology available to have clean, renewable energy. Why is it not being deployed on every viable building?” Edelstyn explained.
The couple slept on their roof for 23 nights to raise money for solar for themselves and their neighbours, creating a documentary in the process.
They raised over £150,000, which paid for solar panels on 16 homes and five local schools. 
Edelstyn said the homes have cut their bills by roughly a third and reduced their dependency on fossil fuels. 
“Beyond that there is the civic advantage of growing a community of people that want to participate together in something. That feels important at a time where a lot of people are divided,” he said. 
Following the success on their own street, Edelstyn and Powell are now looking to expand the Power Station project across Walthamstow. To do this, they must find a finance model that is more sustainable that crowdfunding.
“Basically that seems to be the area where the most innovation needs to happen, about how it’s financed. The technology of solar definitely works and it’s cheaper than it’s ever been. Getting over the financial hurdles is the biggest problem that we all have,” Edelstyn said.
The project has teamed up with community energy company People Owned Power (POP) Energy to develop a co-op that local people will be able to invest in, which will install solar on people’s homes at no up-front cost.
Households who want solar will pay a fixed subscription fee to the co-op to pay off the solar panels over a set period of time, most likely 15 years. The aim is that this subscription fee will be less than the money households are saving on their bills.
Solar subscriptions schemes are not entirely new and have previously encountered hurdles, including higher long-term costs and difficulties with selling their homes.
Howard Johns, CEO of POP Energy, said households can either pass the subscription onto their buyer when they sell or will have to pay the panels off. However, he believes the uplift in value of having solar on your property would be enough to offset the cost.
“We’re just trying to make it as equitable as possible really by doing it as a co-operative,” he said.
The Power Station project has caught the attention of Walthamstow’s MP, Stella Creasy, who has held a series of meetings to encourage streets to take the plunge on solar panels together.
The most recent meeting took place last week and was attended by over 250 residents, as well as the Energy Secretary, Ed Milliband.
“My constituents know exactly how much money they don’t have to pay for the basics,” Creasy said. “It’s a big outlay to get that return so the more we can do using our collective bargaining power to reduce that cost, the more inclusive it can be.”
Over 130 streets have expressed interest in working together to install solar on their streets and Creasy is encouraging them to pursue a number of routes, including the co-op being established by Pop Energy.
Another more straightforward option for residents who are able to shoulder some of the upfront cost, is bulk-buying solar as a street in exchange for a discount.
Walthamstow resident Charlie Dearman is among those who have done this successfully with his neighbours. Eight households on his street negotiated a 30 per cent discount from a company called Everyone Energy by agreeing to have solar installed at the same time.
Dearman paid £4,000 for his solar, which he estimates he will have made back between bill savings and selling excess energy to the grid within five years. He paid an additional £3,000 for a battery, which he estimates will be paid off in seven years.
Creasy and her team are also exploring whether they can obtain money from the Government for community solar projects in Walthamstow.
Great British Energy, the Government-owned energy company, is providing up to £1bn for community-owned energy projects by 2030.
It’s not clear how much of this money will be available for projects like those springing up across Walthamstow, but Miliband encouraged residents to apply.
There are still various challenges in place that discourage the widespread take-up of community energy projects.
More innovative ideas, such as trading the solar your panels generate with neighbours still face regulatory hurdles and many households still face practical barriers, such as gaining permission from landlords and freeholders.
But Johns believes what’s happening in Walthamstow is “the future of energy”.
“It is going to be generated locally. It is going to be across millions of roofs,” he said.
Impartial news + intelligent debate
All rights reserved. © 2026 Associated Newspapers Limited.

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A study from China shows rooftop PV systems on dairy barns can significantly reduce roof heat flux and improve indoor thermal conditions. Field measurements and simulations found up to a 2.3 C reduction in indoor temperature during peak afternoon heat stress periods.
Image: pv magazine/AI generated
A research team from China has investigated whether rooftop PV systems can help mitigate heat stress in dairy barns.
“This research provides quantified evidence to support advisory and decision-making processes for farm managers, agricultural policymakers, and PV integrators,” the researchers said in a statement. “By demonstrating that rooftop photovoltaic systems serve a dual purpose—generating clean electricity and acting as a passive cooling solution that reduces peak indoor temperatures by up to 2.3 C during critical afternoon hours—this work directly informs investment decisions in sustainable infrastructure.”
The scientists developed a numerical simulation and validated it against an operational PV system installed on top of a commercial dairy barn. The model enabled calculation of roof heat flux, which is the rate of heat transfer through the roof into the barn interior.
To assess the impact of PV modules on roof heat flux, the team conducted field measurements at a naturally ventilated dairy barn in Shandong Province, China. The barn measures 32 m in span, 372 m in length, and has an eave height of 4.5 m. It features a south-facing gable roof with a 17.17° pitch and a single-layer profiled steel sheet construction without insulation.
The facility was divided into two zones. One section was left without PV installation, while the other was fitted with 1,152 PV modules with a total capacity of 299.52 kW. The modules were installed parallel to the roof slope, maintaining a 0.10 m ventilated air gap between the panels and the roof surface, and covered 60% of the south-facing roof area. The two zones housed 164 and 316 dairy cows, respectively.
To compare thermal performance between the two sections, the researchers monitored indoor and outdoor dry-bulb temperatures, relative humidity, airflow velocity, and solar radiation from June to September 2023. They also measured inner roof surface temperatures using infrared thermography and applied the temperature-humidity index (THI) to assess heat stress conditions in the cows.
The measured datasets were then used to validate a computational model of the barn developed in SolidWorks. The validation showed mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values of 4%–6% relative to field measurements. With the model validated, the researchers were able to quantify heat transfer dynamics across the barn envelope.
“Linear mixed model analysis revealed that PV panels significantly reduced roof heat flux during daytime (57.7% influence weight, p < 0.001), with the strongest reduction occurring during peak solar radiation between 11:00 and 13:00,” the researchers said. “This effect was primarily attributed to shading, photovoltaic conversion, and convective cooling within the ventilated air cavity beneath the modules.”
“PV panels significantly lowered indoor temperatures during daytime (8.7% influence weight, p < 0.05), achieving a maximum reduction of approximately 2.3 C during the critical afternoon heat stress period (14:00–16:00),” they added.
Overall, the findings indicate that integrating PV systems into livestock housing can deliver measurable co-benefits by simultaneously generating renewable electricity and improving indoor thermal conditions for animal welfare under heat-stress scenarios.
The research work was presented in “Rooftop photovoltaic systems can mitigate dairy barn heat stress by suppressing roof heat flux: a temporal analysis,” published in Biosystems Engineering. Researchers from China Agricultural University, China’s Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Agricultural University, and Beijing Engineering Research Center on Animal Healthy Environment have participated in the study.
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Fraunhofer ISE Launches New Lab to Advance Perovskite-Silicon Solar Technology  SolarQuarter
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New Zealand government-backed utility Genesis Energy and FRV Australia, the local arm of global renewable energy developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, have dissolved their solar development joint venture just months after delivering their first PV project.
Image: Genesis Energy
Genesis Energy and FRV Australia, owned by Saudi Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and Canadian pension fund Omers, have terminated their joint venture (JV) agreement that was to deliver up to 500 MW of large-scale solar capacity across New Zealand.
Genesis Chief Operating Officer Tracey Hickman said in a statement the decision reflects the natural evolution of the companies’ respective strategies and the growing capability of the development team within Genesis.
“Our partnership with FRV has been instrumental in accelerating solar development in New Zealand,” she said. “We are proud of what we have achieved together and thank FRV for their contribution to our partnership.”
The announcement comes less than six months after the JV partners officially launched the 47 MW Lauriston Solar Farm near Christchurch on the nation’s South Island.
Genesis said the JV partners will continue their co-ownership and running of the Lauriston Solar Farm, which is the sole project to have been completed under the development agreement that was first announced in 2021.
The government-backed energy generator and retailer provided no detail regarding other projects in the JV development pipeline, including a 200 MWp development near Foxton on the North Island. The JV partners had also secured sites on the North Island for three solar farms with an expected combined capacity of 400 MW.
While the ownership of those projects is yet to be revealed, Genesis, which is 51% owned by the NZ government, has previously stated that its renewable generation pathway remains focused on solar development due to “speed to market, lower capital costs and overall improving economics.”
In addition to the JV pipeline, Genesis is also developing a 67 MWp consented site near Leeston on the South Island, and a 114 MW consented solar project near Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty. That site is expected to start generating electricity in 2027.
Genesis has also started building a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system alongside the 1.2 GW coal- and gas-fired Huntly Power Station about 100 kilometres south of Auckland on North Island.
The project, which is scheduled to be operational by late 2026, is the first phase of a planned multi-stage development that is expected to deliver up to 400 MW / 800 MWh of energy storage capacity at the site.
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The off-grid solar project, encompassing 31.85 MW of solar connected to 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage, will supply energy to over 90,000 people in eastern Angola.
Image: MCA Group
Portuguese group MCA has inaugurated a 31.85 MW off-grid solar park tied to 75.26 MWh of battery energy storage in Angola.
The Luau photovoltaic park is now the largest off-grid solar park in Africa, surpassing the record previously set by MCA’s Cazombo solar park, also in Angola, which came online late last year.
The project was designed and built by MCA with Angolan state-owned electricity production company, PRODEL Ep, acting as project developer. Its production capacity is enough to supply energy to more than 90,000 people in the area, while its battery bank also ensures night time supply and completely eliminates the need for any fossil fuel, a statement from MCA explains.
The solar park is located in eastern Angola on the Lobito Corridor, a railway and logistics infrastructure project aiming to connect the Port of Lobito on Angola’s western coastline to its neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia in the east.
Valued at €87 million ($102 million), MCA says the project attracted significant European investment due its strategic position near the border with DRC. Financing was structured by the British Standard Chartered Bank with the support of the German Export Agency, which provided a guarantee of around €1 billion, reinsured by the Portuguese and Korean Export Agencies.
The Luau and Cazombo solar parks both form part of Angola’s Rural Electrification Project, a government initiative planning to implement 46 autonomous minigrids powered by solar parks. The project is aiming to reach over one million people spanning 60 communes in Angola.
MCA Chairman, Manuel Couto Alves, says the project “represents a commitment to communities that, for decades, have lived without access to energy.”
“The completion of the Cazombo and Luau parks marks just the beginning of a structural and ambitious programme, which will continue to expand in the coming years,” he added. “We will continue to work, side by side with the communities, to ensure that electrification reaches where it makes the most difference.”
The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) has identified 467.8 MW of operational solar in Angola, according to figures available in its project database.
In January, Abu Dhabi-based developer Masdar signed a 150 MW solar power purchase agreement in Angola, marking the first phase of a 500 MW multi-site project.
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Arab Potash to develop Jordan’s first floating solar plant  ZAWYA
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PINE POINT, MINN. – A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pine Point Resilience Hub (PPRH) began with a silent prayer by a spiritual elder, tobacco pipe smoke wafting in four compass points.
Pine Point School and numerous partners flipped the switch on the solar and battery system on Monday, May 4.
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The hub, also dubbed Waabizii1, was dedicated to Mike Swan. Waabizi means “swan” in Ojibwe, and the late Swan was a pillar of the community.
The 500-kilowatt solar array, paired with a 2.475 megawatt-hour battery, is capable of powering the building through a full blackout.
It’s based at the K-8 school and community center in Pine Point, located on the White Earth Reservation.
“It’s a big day,” said mistress of ceremonies Sandra Kwak. She’s founder and CEO of 10Power, “a climate justice, renewable energy project developer” that works with tribal nations, schools, nonprofits and underserved communities globally.
“It’s designed to provide backup power in the case of emergencies, so that people can come here, shelter in the gym, have backup electricity, be able to continue sustaining themselves in the community,” she explained.
The PPRH contributes to the grid as a whole, too. “Instead of being a drain in times of strain, the battery has potential to provide capacity, helping to provide stability,” Kwak said.
It will also save the school money on electricity bills year-round, “liberating dollars that can be reinvested” into classrooms and children.
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This project was five years in the making.
The hub endured headwinds.
It was launched under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, then faced “a turbulent transition as the current administration clawed back clean energy grants, dismantled equity programs and moved to eliminate tax credits for clean energy. Billions of dollars awarded to support community-based projects were terminated by the White House,” according to a news release.
In the release, Kwak said, “This project thankfully prevailed, but many others were canceled. Now, we’re working to help as many as possible qualify for tax credits before they end.”
Financing the solar installation required a patchwork of public and private resources, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, the Verizon Climate Resilience Prize, a private bridge loan and more.
Kwak said, “Through an innovative capital stack, we were able to make this project happen at zero dollars out of pocket to the school.”
Tara Hammond from the Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation partners with philanthropists to finance projects like this one.
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“One of the funding streams is the tax credit, which in this case, covered half of the project cost. The Trump administration escalated a tax on clean energy and environmental protections, but has also weakened the resilience and capacity of our social systems to support our communities,” Hammond said.
A philanthropist who believed in Pine Point’s vision “chose to step up, not only despite the federal uncertainty, but because of it. That’s what we need in this moment,” she said.
Minnesota’s Solar for Schools Program was another crucial supporter, awarding $500,000.
“This is one of almost 200 Solar for Schools projects that are in the works or have happened so far,” said program manager Amanda Scheinebeck. “You’re one of the few projects that is sized to produce 100% of the energy needs for your building,” along with battery storage.
PPRH is a role model, she added, for incorporating curriculum and technology career aspects.
Technical assistance was provided by the Clean Energy Resource Teams. Additional tech help as well funding came from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Sandia National Labs.
The solar panels were manufactured at Heliene’s plant in Mountain Iron, Minn.
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The battery is American-made lithium iron phosphate, sourced from Texas-based ELM Microgrid.
Zeigler Energy Solutions was selected through a competitive request for proposals to install the array.
An Indigenous-owned local firm, Design Electric, handled subcontracting.
According to the release, the Pine Point community sits in the 98th percentile nationally for energy burden – the share of household income spent on electricity.
“Across the U.S., Indigenous people face the highest energy poverty of any demographic group. Fourteen percent of reservation homes lack electricity entirely, and nearly half lack reliable clean water or adequate sanitation,” the release states.
Pine Point Community Council member Gerald Roberts said, toward the end of his grandmother’s life, she was on oxygen all of the time. “So that’s what got me excited about this project,” he said.
Pine Point School was built as an all-electric facility with ground-source heat pumps.
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According to the release, “The new system was projected to save the school $1.15 million over 25 years. That figure has since been revised downward by roughly $324,000 after the local utility, Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative, announced a rate increase.”
Calling it “a bright, new chapter” and “monumental achievement” for the school and community, Superintendent Chris Schultz said, “Today, we aren’t just cutting a ribbon. We are capturing the power of the sun … By turning to the sun, we are doing more than reducing our carbon footprint. We are ensuring financial stability. The installation provides resiliency, ensuring our school remains a steady, powered beacon for the community for decades to come.”
The White Earth Tribe will own the system long term.
A joint venture was created between 10Power and 8th Fire Solar, a community development initiative in Pine Point founded by Winona LaDuke. Together, they’ll handle operations and maintenance of PPRH, funded through the school’s energy savings. They are recruiting a community member to train as a solar and battery technician.
White Earth Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks spoke about the hub’s role in self-determination, while also growing relationships.
The release says White Earth is among dozens of tribal nations establishing tribal utility commissions and writing their own utility codes.
Nathan Matthews, director of the White Earth Tribal Utility Commission (TUC), said, “Policies like net metering are essential not just for economics, but for protecting tribal ratepayers and advancing energy sovereignty.”
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Established in 2022, Matthews said the TUC serves “as a conduit and support mechanism for tribal council initiatives.”
“This is a cutting edge project. This is very, very new territory for rural Minnesota and also for Indian country, so be proud of this project. It took a lot of work,” he said.
There are four electric service providers on the reservation. Matthews noted the PPRH will overproduce electricity in summer, when school is out and grid power is most expensive.
In the news release, Matthews called on Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative and its wholesale provider, Great River Energy, to develop battery participation programs that would let installations like Pine Point’s feed clean power back to the grid during peak periods, potentially lowering costs for everyone.
Michael LaRoque, White Earth secretary of the treasury, expressed hope that similar hubs will be created in neighboring communities.
LaDuke said the PPRH is a foothold, not a finish line. “This is just the beginning – that’s why it’s called Waabizii1. Next up: getting solar on every home that wants it.”
Schultz told students to “look at these panels as a promise. They represent our commitment to being good stewards to the earth, blending a modern nation with the timeless respect for nature that the people of White Earth have honored for generations.”
Laura Lee Erickson, Pine Point’s District 3 representative on the White Earth Tribal Council, shared that sentiment. “Harnessing this gift from the sun gives us power and is in line with the ways of the earth and traditional stewardship values,” she said in a statement.
On Monday, Erickson thanked the team members for their dedication, “turning an idea into something tangible, something that will generate clean energy, reduce environmental impact and set an example for those to follow. This project is huge.”
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a White Earth Tribal member, sent a letter of congratulations.
“With your broad and far-reaching approach, your project showcases the strength and values of the White Earth Nation,” she wrote. “Incorporating the unique expertise and Ojibwe language into the planning, construction and implementation of the solar farm demonstrates what we have always known: that we will continue to break barriers, uphold our traditions and identities and be good stewards of our lands.”

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Published on May 6, 2026
Jefther A
The Luau Photovoltaic Park Project has been commissioned in eastern Angola, marking the delivery of the largest off-grid solar park on the African continent within the Lobito Corridor, with an investment exceeding €87 million. The project introduces record-setting solar and battery infrastructure while expanding electricity access to remote communities and reinforcing the corridor’s role as a strategic development axis.
Angola’s President, João Lourenço, inaugurated the facility in Luau, located near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The location places the project at the eastern end of the Lobito Corridor, a transport and logistics route increasingly positioned as a transcontinental link connecting Atlantic ports to Central Africa’s mineral-rich regions.
The commissioning establishes a new continental benchmark for off-grid renewable energy systems. It also reflects growing alignment between energy infrastructure and transport corridors, particularly where grid extension remains economically unviable.
The Luau Photovoltaic Park Project delivers 31.85 MWp of installed solar capacity and 75.26 MWh of battery storage. Consequently, the hybrid system provides continuous electricity supply without reliance on diesel or other fossil fuels. The facility supplies power to more than 90,000 people in remote communities. In addition, it prevents approximately 47 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, supporting Angola’s broader energy transition objectives.
With its commissioning, the project surpasses the previous record set by the Cazombo solar park. The earlier installation delivered 25.3 MWp of solar capacity and 59.46 MWh of storage, establishing the initial benchmark for off-grid systems in the country. The Luau project incorporates 54,912 photovoltaic modules deployed under a turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction model. Furthermore, construction activities generated more than 200 local jobs, contributing to short-term economic stimulus in the region.
Operationally, the system is expected to reduce fuel consumption by approximately 18 million litres annually. This shift significantly lowers operating costs associated with diesel-based generation in isolated networks.
The project forms part of Angola’s Rural Electrification Project, a national programme targeting 60 communes through decentralized renewable energy systems. Notably, the Luau installation represents the second off-grid solar park delivered under the initiative, following the Cazombo plant completed in 2025.
The broader programme plans the deployment of 46 autonomous mini-grids powered by solar photovoltaic parks. As a result, it aims to provide electricity access to more than one million people by 2027.
The integration of energy infrastructure into the Lobito Corridor reflects a coordinated development approach. While the corridor primarily supports transport and logistics, energy access remains critical for industrial activity, cross-border trade, and community development along the route.
The initiative also aligns with the European Union Global Gateway strategy, which promotes sustainable and high-quality infrastructure investments across partner regions. Under this framework, projects are expected to meet environmental, social, and governance standards while delivering long-term economic benefits.
The commissioning of the Luau Photovoltaic Park Project highlights the growing role of off-grid solar systems in addressing energy access gaps. By combining solar generation with battery storage, such systems ensure reliability in regions where grid extension remains limited.
Officials involved in the project emphasized that the development extends beyond technical delivery. Reliable electricity access supports essential services, including healthcare and education, while enabling local businesses to operate more efficiently.
The project also demonstrates a scalable model for future deployments. As additional mini-grids come online under the Rural Electrification Project, similar configurations are expected to be replicated across Angola’s underserved regions.
From a construction perspective, the project reinforces the viability of large-scale off-grid infrastructure delivered through integrated EPC contracts. It also highlights the role of international financing structures in supporting capital-intensive renewable energy projects in emerging markets.
Similarly, large-scale solar developments are advancing elsewhere on the continent, reinforcing the shift toward renewable energy infrastructure. In South Africa, Pele Green Energy reaches financial close for 100MW Sonvanger Solar PV Power Plant highlights how utility-scale projects are being structured to support industrial energy demand. The 100 MW Sonvanger Solar PV project, located in the Free State, will supply clean power to mining operations under long-term agreements, demonstrating how private-sector-led solar investments are complementing public electrification programmes.
Location: Luau, Moxico Province, Angola
Project Value: Over €87 million
Project Type: off-grid solar Photovoltaic Park with battery storage
Installed Capacity: 31.85 MWp
Battery Storage: 75.26 MWh
Solar Panels Installed: 54,912
Electricity Coverage: More than 90,000 people
CO2 Emissions Avoided: Approximately 47 tonnes annually
Fuel Savings: Around 18 million litres per year
Jobs Created: 200+ during construction
Programme: Rural Electrification Project (60 communes)
Wider Rollout: 46 mini-grids targeting over 1 million people
Precedent Project: Cazombo Solar Park (25.3 MWp; 59.46 MWh)
Status: Commissioned (2026)
Developer: PRODEL EP (Angola state-owned electricity producer)
EPC Contractor:
Financier: Standard Chartered Bank
Export Credit Agency: Euler Hermes
Reinsurance Partners: COSEC; K-Sure
Government Stakeholders:
Strategic Framework: European Union Global Gateway
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Goldbeck Solar to build 268-MWp solar park in Germany  Renewables Now
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Floating Solar Panels Market 2026
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Lund Hill, Washington’s biggest solar project  Iberdrola
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Rooftop solar in Australia has reached a high system capacity and is prompting rapid growth in home batteries. To explore how to transfer that success to the U.S., a study group of U.S. regulators met with energy sector leaders in Australia.
Generating sources in Australia’s National Electricity Market in 2025
The CHARGED Initiative
Distributed solar and storage could play a larger role in the U.S. if regulations were more like those in Australia, suggests a report from GridLab, Advanced Energy United and RMI that documents a study trip to Australia by U.S. state utility regulators.
Thanks to rooftop solar’s low cost in Australia—less than a third of typical U.S. costs—its capacity in the nation’s predominant electricity market exceeds that of grid-scale solar and wind combined, as shown in the featured image above.
The study group found that Australia’s approach to permitting and installation are key to rooftop solar’s low costs.
Friction-free interconnection
For example, in the state of South Australia, residential customers may install a large rooftop solar system with no need for interconnection approval, in exchange for accepting flexible export limits, which modeling has shown would allow export of full generation more than 98% of the time in most areas.
That approach has helped rooftop solar and other renewables to now provide close to 75% of South Australia’s electricity consumed, said Bryn Williams, principal at Energy Horizons, on a webinar accompanying the report.
The flexible export mechanism relies on an Australian smart inverter standard that enables a distribution network operator to communicate with each customer’s solar inverter over the internet, for example by household Wi-Fi, to vary how much each system can export at any given time, according to available grid capacity.
GridLab Executive Director Ric O’Connell told pv magazine that the same flexible export approach to interconnection could “absolutely” be taken in the U.S., by relying on smart inverters for rooftop solar that meet the IEEE 1547-2018 standard. He noted that the Australian smart inverter standard was based on California smart inverter standards “which became IEEE 1547-2018.”
Thirteen U.S. states have adopted the IEEE 1547-2018 standard, along with some utilities in other states, according to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
Flexible interconnection of distributed solar has made some headway in the U.S. For example, in Colorado, regulators have ordered a utility to promptly propose a “flexible interconnection or energization tariff” for distributed energy resources, as required by state law. In New York, a utility has piloted flexible interconnection based on real-time grid capacity available. And California has created an option for distributed generation to interconnect based on a schedule-based limited generation profile.
Utilities supporting solar
Contributing to rooftop solar’s success in Australia is the fact that the nation’s distribution utilities do not generate electricity, so “there is no incentive” for them “not to support solar,” said Williams, on the webinar.
Overall, renewables provided 43% of the electricity consumed last year in the populous eastern half of Australia, Williams said.
Home battery subsidies
As rooftop solar capacity has soared, Australia’s federal government began subsidizing home battery installations to help smooth out the generation profile. In the last six months of 2025, homeowners installed 4.6 GWh of storage, exceeding the combined capacity of the 12 largest grid-scale batteries in the country, the report notes.
The subsidy program’s goal, Williams said, is to reach 2 million new home battery installations and 40 GWh of new capacity over the next four years.
Australia is expected to update its smart inverter standard to add battery communication functionality, the report says.
“Consumer energy resources”
For both distributed solar and storage, Australia’s approach is to require technologies to enable control by the distribution utility, but to allow each customer to decide whether to hand over control, based on their assessment of the value of doing so. Australians use the term “social license” to describe this approach, and refer to distributed energy resources instead as “consumer energy resources.”
Allocating fixed costs
The report cautions that the “equity dimension” of recovering fixed network costs “as the solar-heavy customer base grows” is “real and unresolved.”
Forty percent of Australians are renters and cannot install and benefit from rooftop solar, said Brian Spak, general manager for advocacy and policy for Energy Consumers Australia, on the webinar.
The wholesale electricity market operator for eastern Australia, known as AEMO, is actively reviewing how to recover fixed costs.
Counting DERs in planning
The report highlights a voluntary effort by three distribution network operators in the state of New South Wales to demonstrate how transmission planning could incorporate cost-saving opportunities for distribution network development. The distribution network operators produced a joint distribution system plan analyzing the hosting capacity, flexibility value and grid services potential of consumer energy resources operating as active assets.
That effort, which the utilities completed without financial support, led AEMO to incorporate distribution network development opportunities into its modeling for its draft 2026 Integrated System Plan.
For New South Wales alone, a modeling study projected cost savings with a net present value of AUS $2 billion to $4.3 billion, largely from better utilizing network capacity and integrating consumer energy resources.
Four lessons
Study tour participants “brought home” four lessons, the report says:
The report is titled “Lessons from the 2026 Charged Initiative Australia study tour.” The companion webinar features study tour participant Dan Scripps, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The Charged Initiative aims to “chart a path” for greater electrification on the distribution system.
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Indonesia’s PLN has launched a tender for a 1,225 MW solar project that will be spread across several regions of the country. The state-owned utility has not publicly announced a closing date.
Image: mz romadhoni/Unsplash

Indonesian state-owned electric utility company PLN has opened a tender for a solar project with a total capacity of 1,225 MW.
The Mentari Nusantara I solar power project will be developed across multiple regions of Indonesia, with 35 MW planned in Sumatra, 340 MW in Kalimantan, 600 MW in Java, 50 MW in Sulawesi, 80 MW in West Nusa Tenggara and 120 MW in Maluku and Papua.
The tender is being run through an integrated procurement scheme titled ‘Giga One’, which the utility explains promotes economies of scale and provides measurable project certainty for investors by bundling several projects into one package.
PLN kicked off the tender process last week (April 30). The utility has not yet published a closing date for the tender but has given the projects a targeted commercial operation date of 2029.
Suroso Isnandar, Director of Project Management and New and Renewable Energy at PLN, said the Mentari Nusantra project is a key initial driver in supporting the Indonesian government’s target of building 100 GW of solar.
Isnandar also said Giga One is “a new blueprint for renewable energy procurement in Indonesia and an important milestone in the national energy transition journey,” while advising that the procurement strategy will be replicated in future hydropower, wind power and battery energy storage system tenders.
Earlier this year, the Institute for Essential Services Reform and Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs published a study exploring how Indonesia can work towards its 100 GW solar target, which targets 80 GW of decentralized, small-scale solar systems alongside 20 GW of centralized solar.
Indonesia surpassed 1 GW of solar capacity last year, with total capacity reaching 1.49 GW.
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(Yicai) May 6 — Twenty-two major players in China’s photovoltaic industry reported aggregate losses of CNY10.5 billion (USD1.5 billion) in the first three months amid tumbling raw material prices and sluggish end demand despite ongoing efforts to cut excess capacity.
Revenue sank 11.6 percent to CNY95.8 billion (USD14 billion), reflecting a pattern of shrinking scale alongside persistent losses, according to Yicai’s analysis of the financial reports of the 22 listed firms. And losses excluding non-recurring items reached CNY13.2 billion.
For industry giants such as Tongwei, Longi Green Energy Technology and TCL Zhonghuan, this was their 10th consecutive quarter of losses.
Tongwei’s net loss narrowed 5.7 percent year on year to CNY2.4 billion (USD352 million) while revenue plunged 23.9 percent to CNY12.1 billion (USD1.7 billion). TCL Zhonghuan racked up a net loss of CNY1.6 billion (USD234 million), even though revenue climbed 7.3 percent to CNY6.5 billion (USD954 million). And Xi’an-based Longi reported a net loss of CNY1.9 billion, widening by 34.2 percent.
Xinjiang Daqo New Energy fared particularly badly. The silicon material producer saw revenue plummet 79.2 percent to CNY189 million (USD27.7 million), the lowest quarterly revenue since it went public in October 2010. And the Shihezi-based firm’s net loss widened 42.5 percent to CNY801 million (USD117.6 million).
The root cause of these losses is the sharp decline in upstream prices. The average price of N-type multi-crystalline silicon raw material tumbled to CNY40,500 (USD5,900) per ton at the end of March from CNY59,200 in early January, a quarterly drop of approximately 24.7 percent. Prices of various silicon wafer models also slumped by more than 24 percent.
The silicon wafer and silicon material sectors have been the hardest-hit segments. The battery segment, though, has proved to be relatively resilient. The higher penetration of N-type technology has helped support some product price premiums. Hainan Drinda New Energy Technology narrowed its net loss to CNY44 million (USD6.4 million) in the first quarter, after excluding non-recurring items.
By contrast, the module segment saw declining revenues but improved profitability year on year, helped by lower raw material costs and deliberate production cuts aimed at preserving margins, which partially offset weak demand.
Several leading solar firms began to voluntarily reduce production after the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which is the country’s top decision-making body, proposed to combat ‘involution,’ or disorderly, cutthroat competition, in July 2024. However, given the industry’s substantial existing production capacity, the impact of these measures has been slower than expected.
The industry remains in a state of oversupply, but positive factors are gradually emerging, Longi Chairman Zhong Baoshen said at the earnings call. The government’s roll out of measures to combat ‘involution’ and the continued shift toward competition driven by market forces, mean that this year could be a crucial year for the PV industry in terms of consolidation and quality-focused development.
Looking ahead to the second quarter, wafer prices have started to stabilize following a rebound in silicon material prices. However, battery cell prices have begun to decline more rapidly, with prices dropping more than 7 percent in a single week in April. Whether the industry can reach a turning point in earnings will depend largely on the pace of recovery in downstream installation demand.
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Qair, a France-based renewable energy company, has awarded INTEC Energy Solutions the EPC contract for Brecks Solar Farm. The 46.51 MW plant is located near Retford in Nottinghamshire and has reached the construction phase. INTEC Energy Solutions will manage EPC, and O&M services for an initial two-year term. The O&M arrangement has an option to extend after the initial service period. Once operational, Brecks Solar Farm is projected to generate approximately 46.08 GWh of electricity every year.  Brecks Solar Farm is Qair’s first UK solar project to reach construction phase. INTEC Energy Solutions has delivered more than 200 projects, representing 5 GW of installed and secured capacity. Qair has over 1.7 GW in operation or construction and a development pipeline exceeding 30 GW.

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Egypt: Edita installs 390 kWp rooftop solar system at Sheikh Zayed headquarters  ZAWYA
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Solar and wind with battery storage become more cost competitive, IRENA report shows  Reuters
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https://arab.news/puhcz
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani salt manufacturer HubSalt announced on Wednesday it has signed a landmark agreement with Chinese energy manufacturer LIVOLTEK to deploy a hybrid solar and battery storage system at its facility, saying the project would significantly reduce its reliance on imported diesel and curb fuel imports.
LIVOLTEK is a Chinese renewable energy manufacturer that delivers tailored energy solutions in over 110 countries worldwide. HubSalt, established in 1986, is a leading salt manufacturing company in Pakistan. 
The deal involves the installation of a 1.44 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) system integrated with a 2.35 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at HubSalt’s facility, the salt manufacturer said in a press release. The deal was signed in the presence of LIVOLTEK’s Asia Pacific Director Max Ma and HubSalt CEO Ismail Suttar.
“Previously operating entirely off-grid on diesel generators, HubSalt will transition to a hybrid energy model,” the salt manufacturer said.
“The company estimates the project will displace approximately 360,000 liters of diesel annually, contributing to import substitution and easing pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.”
It said the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the system has been awarded to Optimizen Pvt Ltd, which is spearheading the project in collaboration with its Chinese technology partner, LIVOLTEK.
 
Suttar termed the project a “transformative step” for the company and a benchmark for the wider industrial sector.
 
“By integrating advanced renewable technologies, we are not only improving our operational resilience but also setting a benchmark for clean energy adoption in Pakistan’s industrial sector,” Suttar said at the ceremony. 
 
The company said that the environmental impact of the system is also significant, with the project expected to offset more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. It said this was equivalent to planting over 90,000 trees each year.
“The initiative may also enable HubSalt to participate in global carbon markets through the generation of verified carbon credits under internationally recognized standards such as Verra and Gold Standard,” it added. 
 

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Unicommerce eSolutions, an India-based e-commerce enablement SaaS platform, has partnered with Waaree Energies to automate its commerce operations. Waaree Energies, an India-based solar PV module and solar cell manufacturer, will use the platform for B2C and B2B distribution. The platform will cover solar modules, inverters and solar kits across marketplaces, direct-to-consumer channels and wholesale portals. It will also provide real-time inventory visibility across multiple warehousing and fulfilment locations for stock allocation. The system will manage stock transfers across Waaree’s nationwide distributor network and streamline warehouse workflows for fulfilment timelines. Waaree has approximately 22.3 GW solar PV module capacity and 5.4 GW solar cell capacity, with operations across India and over 25 countries. Unicommerce serves 8,000+ clients and has ~350 integrations across marketplaces, logistics and ERP systems.

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PIXON Secures ALMM Approval for 2.391 GW Solar Module Capacity, Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing Footprint  SolarQuarter
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Ampyr and Climate Fund commission India solar  reNews
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Propelled by a select group of high-capacity manufacturers including T1 Energy and Canadian Solar, Texas is set to exceed 15 GW of solar PV module production in 2026, accounting for nearly half of all U.S. silicon-based manufacturing and serving as the primary hub for the inaugural Solar Manufacturing USA conference in Austin this September.
A factory warehouse.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Solar PV module production in Texas is set to exceed 15 GW during 2026, making the state the clear leader today in the drive to ramp domestic manufacturing in the United States, potentially accounting for almost 50% of all silicon-based PV modules made in the United States this year.
While investments in the domestic solar PV ecosystem are spread across a large part of the country, Texas has become the preferred location for a select group of silicon-based PV manufacturers that have efficiently ramped production lines at the multi-gigawatt level, including T1 Energy, SEG Solar, Canadian Solar, Waaree Energies, Imperial Star and TOYO Solar.
This is why the new Solar Manufacturing USA conference is happening in Austin, Texas on 22-23 September 2026. We could have chosen other locations for what will be the first domestic-only U.S. PV manufacturing event, but the concentration of production at the module level in Texas today – and its associated materials supply – puts the state at the forefront of the domestic PV production revival in the United States.
Indeed, attendees at the event will have options to visit some of the local factories the day after the event on 24 September.
The figure shows the dramatic rise in module production in Texas since 2024, first with Canadian Solar and shortly after with T1 Energy, while SEG Solar, Waaree Energies and Imperial Star also ramped GW-scale capacities through 2025.
With this concentration of module assembly underway, Texas effectively becomes the litmus test for how the United States can effectively onshore the necessary raw materials for module production: cells made in Texas or shipped from cell-specific factories located elsewhere; and similarly for solar glass, backsheets, films, frames and other bill-of-materials requirements.
Indeed, simply knowing how the major module producers in Texas today are going to backward integrate will be a key part of the entire U.S. solar manufacturing landscape in the years ahead. Will these companies all ramp up cell lines in 2027? Which will be the first to announced ingot and wafer operations?
For more information on Solar Manufacturing USA 2026, including options to get involved in speaking at the conference and the full two-day agenda topics, the event portal can be viewed here.
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Under the May 6 agreements, Skycorp will issue 1,685,000 Class A Ordinary Shares at $2.1365 per share. The offering price represents a 30.19% discount to the average Nasdaq closing price over the prior 15 trading days.
The financing follows a previously announced $3 million PIPE transaction involving 1,694,000 Class A ordinary shares.
The financing includes four unaffiliated institutional investors. Existing investors Hoping Group Limited, Matrix Sea Limited and Hoping AI Machine Pte Ltd expanded their positions.
Helios Tech Limited joined as a new investor, subscribing for 1,295,500 shares valued at about $2.77 million.
Skycorp said all newly issued shares are subject to a six-month lock-up beginning May 6.
The company said offering proceeds will support working capital, business development, and strategic initiatives, including a potential 200MW wind farm project in Hebei Province, China.
In April, Skycorp signed an agreement to acquire the remaining 56% stake in Nanjing Cesun Power. The $20.19 million deal will increase Skycorp's ownership in the company to 100%.
Skycorp manufactures and sells solar photovoltaic products, including solar cables and connectors, while also supplying GPU and HPC servers.
PN Price Action: Skycorp Solar Group shares were up 14.39% at $7.87 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Photo by Nguyen Quang Ngoc Tonkin via Shutterstock
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Skycorp Solar Group Limited (NASDAQ:PN), a solar PV products provider, rose on Wednesday after announcing a $3.6 million private placement, bringing recent PIPE funding to $6.6 million.

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Published on 05/06/2026 at 09:27 am EDT
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Greenvolt Next has announced the completion of a 2.2MWp ground-mounted solar farm at the Astellas Damastown facility in Dublin.
The renewable energy company delivered the project in four months, managing every stage from concept and design to installation and commissioning.
The Greenvolt Group subsidiary will undertake ongoing maintenance and performance reviews at the site.
The solar farm, which is now live, features 3,192 solar panels and five inverters, supplying 27% of the site’s electricity needs and reducing Scope 2 CO₂ emissions by 310 tonnes annually.
The solar farm is expected to strengthen operational resilience and lower environmental impact while maintaining operational excellence.

Designed with future growth in mind, the system can accommodate additional inverters and battery storage integration, allowing the facility to expand its renewable energy capacity as operational needs evolve.
“This solar farm is an impressive feat with our resourceful team completing the design, installation and delivery of over 3,000 solar panels in just four months,” said Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland.
“The turnaround time for a project of this scale is meaningful and shows how quickly we can implement change – change that gives Astellas more control and more reliability in terms of its energy needs both today and in the future.
“Making renewable energy easy not only benefits the organisation but also its customers and the environment as a whole, particularly at a time when these factors are becoming increasingly critical amid ongoing volatility and uncertainty in energy markets.”
Leon Burns, capital projects lead at Astellas Ireland, commented: “At Astellas, we know that time is of the essence when it comes to taking action.
“As well as doing the best for patients, we are also committed to doing the best for the world around us – that includes supporting a greener future. In just four months, Greenvolt Next has delivered a solar farm which boosts our sustainability credentials and offers scalability.
“Underpinned by their resources and expertise, this installation is already making a tangible difference to our business operations.”
Photo: John Carty, chief commercial officer, Greenvolt Next, pictured with Leo Burns, capital project lead, Astellas Ireland. (Pic: Supplied)

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Latest report from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) finds measurable advancements in PV module recycling performance compared to its prior studies, including higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity.
Image: Soren H, Unsplash
From pv magazine Global
PV module recycling is making “meaningful advancement” across both commercial and pilot-scale technologies, according to a new report from the IEA-PVPS.
The latest Task 12 report presents new and updated life cycle inventory (LCI) data. Its sources include two U.S.-based commercial crystalline silicon (c-Si) module recyclers, Solarcycle and SPR, Italian pilot-scale c-Si module recycler 9-Tech, the EU-funded Photorama project and updated global LCI data on cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules from U.S.-based thin-film solar module specialist First Solar.
The report says that, in comparison to prior Task 12 studies, the research found measurable advancements in PV module recycling performance across higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity.
It says recovery rates for high-value materials have “improved significantly” compared to a 2024 study, when the pure-mechanical benchmark recycling technology did not recover silicon or silver. “In the current study, SPR reports recovery of 98 weight percent (wt. %) of input silicon using a pure-mechanical process at commercial scale, while 9-Tech achieves 95 wt. % silicon recovery in a pilot-scale system that employs mechanical, thermal and chemical recycling processes,” the report explains.
IEA-PVPS also highlights the recovery of non-ferrous metals, including silver, aluminum, and copper, which the report says represents “a new capability for mechanical processes at scale.” “Solarcycle reports recovery of nearly 92 wt. % for silver and approximately 95 wt.% for copper, while SPR reports 99% copper recovery,” the report continues. “In its pilot-scale system, 9-Tech achieves recovery rates of 95 wt. % for copper, 90 wt. % for silver, and 90 wt. % for aluminum. First Solar reports recovery of more than 90 wt. % for the semiconductor material and more than 90 wt. % of metals beyond the semiconductor materials.”
The report then notes developments in output purity, further enhancing the value of recovering materials. “In the current study, Photorama achieves 5N purity for silicon and greater than 2N purity for silver,” IEA-PVPS’ results add. “SPR reports 99% purity for recovered copper and other trace metals through mechanical processing, while 9-Tech achieves up to 95% purity for copper and silver in recovered metallic powders.”
Glass recovery has progressed on 2024 levels, IEA-PVPS’ report continues, explaining that advances in mechanical, thermal and other separation approaches, such as flash lamp separation and water jet cleaning, can achieve high glass yield and purity but may require more energy than pure mechanical processes.
IEA-PVPS’ report outlines that applications for the reuse of recovered materials is expanding. It says recovered silicon is being used for battery anodes, sputter targets, and metallurgical grade applications while non-ferrous metals are sent to metal recyclers, smelters, and refineries, helping to reduce reliance on new resources. The report also finds evidence of glass recovery being reused in flat glass production.
Despite the overall progress, the report stresses that there are persistent gaps in material quality reporting, system boundary harmonization and energy-use characterization. It also suggests that additional information on downstream use and treatment pathways would help future efforts to quantify material recovery, energy recovery and landfill disposal, in turn improving assessment of reuse pathways in future updates.
“Continued collaboration among recyclers, researchers, policymakers, and standard-setting bodies will be essential to improve data consistency, guide research and development priorities and support the development of circular, high-value pathways for PV materials,” IEA-PVPS’ report concludes. “A forthcoming Task 12 study will develop life cycle assessment-based analyses to assess life-cycle implications across different PV recycling pathways.”
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Solar lobby looks to batteries as Europe’s grid fails to keep pace  Euractiv
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While Chinese manufacturer JA Solar is a leader in solar photovoltaic products, its new JAPlanet energy storage solutions are far newer to markets, having been introduced at the end of 2025.
The new products are part of its solar-plus-storage strategy for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers, for medium to large-scale installations, with a 261 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) modular battery system that scales to 5.2 MWh per site.
The company said its first installations, partnering wth an installation specialist in Italy, are going live in Sicily, with 10 JAPlanet units deployed at an aquaculture facility, eight units at a 200-bedroom hotel and resort in Palermo, and a further 10 units at the municipality of Licodia Eubea in Catania. The latter project provides a 2 MW PV-coupled battery system supporting energy trading and arbitrage at a municipal level.
In Germany, JAPlanet was said to be “gaining traction across a variety of C&I sectors,” supported by distribution partner SegenSolar Germany, with early deployments including a mixed agricultural operation in Straelen.
In the Netherlands, JA Solar is partnering with wholesaler GWS Energy-systems B.V. (GWS Energy), based in Wierden, with installations taking place in the country as well.
Alastair Mounsey, vice president Europe at JA Solar, noted, “Increasingly, solar needs to be paired with storage to unlock its full value, particularly as businesses respond to rising energy prices, grid constraints, and more dynamic energy markets. The strong early demand we are seeing underlines the growing importance of integrated PV and storage solutions as a core part of Europe’s energy transition.”
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Photovoltaic solar energy  Iberdrola
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Solar PV and wind are now the cheapest sources of power globally, with co-located hybrid systems increasingly delivering round-the-clock electricity at fossil fuel-competitive costs in high-resource regions, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  
In its report titled ‘24/7 renewables: The economics of firm solar and wind’, IRENA highlighted that while renewable energy deployment has scaled rapidly on the back of falling costs, the next phase of the energy transition will be defined by system adequacy and flexibility – ensuring clean electricity is available whenever and wherever it is needed. 
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The report introduced a new project-level metric, “firm levelised cost of electricity (LCOE)”, to assess the cost of delivering continuous electricity from hybrid systems combining solar PV, onshore wind and battery energy storage systems (BESS).  
According to IRENA’s analysis, firm renewable electricity costs have declined rapidly across all major technologies and markets, driven primarily by sharp reductions in solar PV and battery storage costs. 
In high-quality solar resource regions, co-located solar PV and storage systems are already capable of delivering firm electricity at costs below fossil fuel benchmarks. The report said that in 2025, firm LCOE for solar-plus-storage systems in strong solar and wind regions ranged from around US$54-82/MWh, down from more than US$100/MWh in 2020. 
Further cost reductions are expected, with IRENA projecting firm LCOE could fall by around 30% by 2030 and approximately 40% by 2035, bringing costs below US$50/MWh at the best-performing sites. 
The agency’s analysis of 252 utility-scale solar PV projects commissioned in 2024 in China shows that a significant majority can deliver firm electricity below US$100/MWh, with minimum firm costs as low as US$30/MWh at a 90% reliability level. Even at 99% reliability, costs rise only modestly to around US$46/MWh. 
The report attributed falling firm electricity costs primarily to the rapid decline in component costs across solar PV and battery storage technologies. 
Between 2010 and 2024, global weighted average total installed costs for solar PV fell by 87% to US$708/kW, while levelised costs of electricity declined by 90% to US$44/MWh. 
Battery energy storage systems experienced even steeper declines, with costs falling by 93% over the same period from US$2,634/kWh in 2010 to US$197/kWh in 2024. Industry data cited in the report suggests that battery system prices fell by around 30% in 2025 alone, reaching their lowest recorded levels. 
IRENA stated that continued manufacturing scale, technology learning and supply chain maturation are expected to drive further cost reductions across solar PV, wind and storage over the next five to ten years. 
The report highlighted that solar PV is increasingly being deployed alongside wind and battery storage in co-located hybrid configurations, enabling projects to optimise grid connections, shift generation to higher-value periods and reduce exposure to price volatility. 
IRENA noted that these systems are now emerging as a distinct asset class capable of providing firm electricity supply, particularly for large energy users such as data centres, artificial intelligence workloads and advanced manufacturing facilities. 
A key example cited is the Al Dhafra project in the United Arab Emirates, which will combine 5.2GW of solar PV with 19GWh of battery storage to deliver 1GW of firm clean electricity. The project has an estimated firm LCOE of around US$70/MWh. 
The report added that in the US, solar-plus-storage has shifted from an exception to a standard configuration for new utility-scale solar developments, with paired storage expected to account for the majority of new solar capacity additions within this decade. 
IRENA identified strong solar resource regions as the primary drivers of cost competitiveness for firm solar electricity. Across high-quality sites in Brazil, India, South Africa, Australia and the Gulf region, firm solar LCOEs in 2025 are estimated to range between US$65-82/MWh, with unfirmed LCOEs as low as US$29–39/MWh. 
By 2030, firm costs in these regions are projected to fall to between US$44-58/MWh, reflecting continued declines in both solar PV and storage costs. 
China remains the lowest-cost market globally, while the US is identified as an outlier with higher firm LCOEs due to elevated financing costs, interconnection charges and permitting complexity. 
Despite regional variation, IRENA concluded that the majority of the world’s population lives within high-irradiance and strong wind zones, making the declining cost of firm solar power a development opportunity of global significance. 
The report highlighted significant technological improvements in solar PV systems as a key driver of cost reductions. Between 2010 and 2024, global module efficiencies increased to between 21.7% and 23.8%, with advanced cell technologies such as n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and heterojunction (HJT) becoming standard. Bifacial modules now account for around 90% of global shipments, contributing to higher yield and improved system economics. 
These advances, alongside widespread deployment of single-axis trackers and improved inverter loading ratios, have helped increase global solar capacity factors from 15% in 2010 to 17.4% in 2024. 
IRENA estimated that module and inverter improvements accounted for around 60% of total installed cost reductions in solar PV systems, with balance-of-system components contributing a further 30%. 
The report stated that in 2025, utility-scale solar PV and onshore wind both cost around US$40/MWh globally, less than half the cost of new combined-cycle gas turbines, which exceeded US$100/MWh. 
In China, firm solar-plus-storage already undercuts both new coal and gas generation, while in markets such as Saudi Arabia, firm solar electricity is approaching parity with gas-fired generation even where fuel costs are relatively low. 
IRENA also noted that in several economies, co-located wind and solar systems with storage are now competitive with the operating costs of existing fossil fuel plants, challenging not only new build economics but also the viability of continued operation of legacy assets. 
The report concluded that the pace of deployment of firm renewable electricity systems will be one of the most consequential factors shaping the global energy transition in the coming decade. 

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US renewable energy IPP Longroad Energy’s Sun Pond solar-plus-storage project in Maricopa County, Arizona, US has reached commercial operation.
Announced 5 May, Sun Pond combines 111MW of solar PV generation with a 85MW/340MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), and has long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with California community choice aggregators (CCA) Ava Community Energy and  San José Clean Energy (SJCE).
In December 2024, Longroad announced financial close of Sun Pond, noting that construction company McCarthy Building Companies would act as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor on the project.
Additionally, the BESS cells would be provided by Japan-headquartered lithium-ion battery manufacturer Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), which is majority owne by Chinese firm Envision Energy.
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BESS integrator Fluence, which at that time, had recently secured US-manufactured cells from AESC, would work with Longroad and operations and maintenance firm NovaSource Power Services to provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services for the Sun Pond project.
In the past week, AESC sold its stake in the US lithium-ion battery manufacturing business to US firm Fixx Energy, amid tighter restrictions in the US on companies seen to be controlled by the Chinese government.
Longroad has specified that Fluence’s Gridstack BESS solution was used at Sun Pond. PV modules from First Solar, smart trackers from Nextpower, and solar inverters from Sungrow were also used in the project.
Sun Pond is part of Longroad’s Sun Streams Complex, which is made up of three additional projects, and brings the Complex’s total capacity to 973MW solar PV and 600MW/2,400MWh BESS.
Longroad claims that the Sun Streams Complex will provide over US$300 million in benefits to Arizona schools and local communities through its long-term leases with the Arizona State Land Department and tax remittances.
In March 2024, the company closed on Serrano, a large-scale solar PV and battery storage project in Pinal and Pima Counties, Arizona, with PV modules also developed by First Solar.
Prior to closing on the Serrano project, Longroad closed on Sun Streams 4, which was the company’s largest solar and storage project to date, at 377MW PV and 300MW/1,200MWh. The project was part of a portfolio it acquired from First Solar.
In 2025, Longroad secured a PPA for its Allium solar-plus-storage project in San Benito County, California, with CCA Marin Clean Energy.

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Solar and Electronic Grade Polysilicon Market Size  openPR.com
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Science and Technology
According to Popular Science, Swedish YouTuber Simon Sörensen, from the RCLifeOn channel, built a two-seater homemade solar car using transmission parts from two common electric bicycles, a 25 mm steel tube chassis welded by himself, and three flexible solar panels installed on the roof. The vehicle uses four 1,000 W hub motors, one in each wheel, allowing for front, rear, or all-wheel drive, depending on the controller configuration. The maximum speed reaches 48 km/h, with a range of 50 km under normal conditions and the possibility of exceeding 100 km on a sunny day.
In a test documented in the channel’s video, Sörensen traveled 29 km using only the energy generated by the solar panels, without consuming the battery. The vehicle also has doors, a trunk, hydraulic brakes, lighting, and enough torque to climb steep hills.
The choice of electric bicycle hub motors was the most efficient technical decision for building a vehicle from scratch without industrial tools. A hub motor is installed inside the wheel itself, eliminating chains, belts, gearboxes, cardan shafts, and other intermediate mechanical components.
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By disassembling two electric bicycles with motors in the front and rear wheels, Sörensen obtained four ready-made motors, one for each corner of the vehicle. Each motor was connected to its own 1,000 W controller, creating a simple, modular, and functional system.
The result is a solar car with configurable all-wheel drive, made with parts that can be found in electric bicycle stores. Fewer components mean less complexity, less maintenance, and a lower risk of mechanical failure.
The structure that supports the motors, passengers, battery, and solar panels is a chassis made of 25 mm diameter steel tubes. The most surprising detail is that Sörensen had never welded before starting the project.
He learned during the construction itself, cutting the steel with an angle grinder, assembling motor mounts, and joining the chassis sections piece by piece. The steering uses Ackermann geometry, a system created in the 19th century to ensure that inner and outer wheels turn at different angles.
The solution prevents excessive tire slippage during maneuvers and shows that the project is not improvised without technical logic. The chassis underwent practical tests including steep descent, steep ascent, and emergency braking, all documented on the channel.
The vehicle’s solar system consists of three flexible solar panels installed on the sloped roof, together generating about 300 W under direct sunlight conditions. The choice of flexible panels was essential to keep the weight low.
Equivalent rigid panels would be four to six times heavier, compromising project efficiency. Each flexible panel weighs about 10 pounds with the mount, keeping the vehicle light enough to be moved by electric bicycle motors.
Energy management between the panels and the 48 V battery is handled by a Victron solar charge controller, used in residential photovoltaic systems and boats. The sloped roof, inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck, allows for better accommodation of the panels and captures more light during travel.
The most important test occurred when Sörensen disconnected the battery and drove exclusively on the energy generated by the solar panels on the roof. The result was a 29 km journey without consuming any battery storage.
This data is relevant because it shows that the 300 W panels can keep the vehicle in continuous motion under favorable sun conditions. In many solar projects, panels only recharge the battery complementarily; in this case, they sustained propulsion in real-time.
Total range with a full battery is 50 km under normal conditions and can reach 100 km on a strong sunny day. The battery serves as a reserve for night, shade, or cloudy skies, while the panels act as the primary source on favorable days.
Coverage by Popular Science, TechSpot, and Yahoo Autos didn’t happen just out of curiosity for an unusual DIY project. Sörensen’s vehicle demonstrates, in practice, a solution discussed for years by solar mobility engineers: reducing weight, cost, and complexity until panel energy is sufficient.
TechSpot highlighted that the approach keeps cost and complexity low while better utilizing the limited energy that solar panels can provide. This is the central point: large, heavy cars require too much energy for small panels, but ultralight vehicles change the equation.
Popular Science framed the project as proof that a category exists between electric bicycles and conventional cars. Lightweight, low-speed, short-range solar vehicles can be viable today, with readily available components, without relying on a factory or aerospace engineering.
Simon Sörensen’s solar car was not created to replace conventional street cars. It lacks the scale, regulatory safety, or performance required by modern commercial vehicles.
Even so, the project demonstrates something important: practical solar mobility can work in small, lightweight, and well-proportioned vehicles. The use of electric bicycle parts reduces cost, facilitates maintenance, and allows electric traction to be assembled with accessible components.
What he built is not just a glorified go-kart. It is a functional two-seater vehicle, with four motors, real range, and the ability to travel tens of kilometers on direct solar power.
The question that remains is how many other garage projects can emerge when simple parts, lightweight panels, and creativity begin to meet.
Graduated in Journalism and Marketing, he is the author of over 20,000 articles that have reached millions of readers in Brazil and abroad. He has written for brands and media outlets such as 99, Natura, O Boticário, CPG – Click Petróleo e Gás, Agência Raccon, among others. A specialist in the Automotive Industry, Technology, Careers (employability and courses), Economy, and other topics. For contact and editorial suggestions: valdemarmedeiros4@gmail.com. We do not accept resumes!
© 2026 Click Petróleo e Gás – All rights reserved

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2026 Silver Outlook: How Solar Panel Demand is Driving Prices  U.S. Gold Bureau
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EcoFlow has launched a Mother’s Day Sale with up to 64% discounts that will be running past the upcoming holiday, and with its launch, the brand is also offering a 24-hour flash sale window with up to 49% savings on four units. Starting at the lowest price among the bunch, you can find EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station down at $829 shipped, beating out its Amazon pricing by $70. While you may see it carrying a $1,599 MSRP tag, you can more often find it at Amazon only climbing as high as $1,399 since fall 2025, with discounts only having gone as low as $849 up until today. Now, you’re getting a 49% markdown for $570 off the going rate (and $770 off the MSRP), landing it at a new all-time low price. Head below to check out the other 24-hour flash offers while they’re still around.
One of EcoFlow’s more popular backup power solutions, the DELTA 2 Max power station brings along an ample 2,048Wh LiFePO4 capacity to your out-of-home adventures alongside at-home needs. There are 15 ports on this unit (6x ACs, 4x USB-As, 2x USB-Cs, 2x DCs, and a car port) for a versatile array of connection options for devices and appliances, delivering up to 2,400W of steady power while also surging as high as 3,400W.
It also brings along four primary recharging methods. There’s the usual AC outlet charging that you would expect that can have it back to 80% in around 68 minutes, as well as a maximum 1,000W solar panel input that can top off the battery in around 2.3 hours with ideal sunlight for the entire period. You can also charge as you drive via the carport, with the last option being dual AC and solar charging simultaneously.
You can find a bunch more full sales on backup power solutions in our dedicated power stations hub here.

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The last date to submit bids is May 14, 2026
May 5, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) has invited bids to select a developer to set up a 1,130 kW rooftop solar project integrated with a 4,520 kWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at its Ramachandrapuram facility in Hyderabad.
The final capacities must be optimized by the selected bidder based on a detailed feasibility assessment.
Bids must be submitted by May 14, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.
Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹2 million (~$21,092) and a tender document fee of ₹1,000 (~$11). The successful bidder must submit a performance bank guarantee of ₹6 million (~$63,276), in two tranches of ₹1.2 million (~$12,655) and ₹4.8 million (~$50,621).
The scope of work includes the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and long-term operation and maintenance of the solar and storage system, along with integration of solar, BESS, power conditioning systems, energy management systems, SCADA, and grid infrastructure.
The developer will also be responsible for establishing the power evacuation network up to the nearest BHEL substation and supplying electricity to BHEL under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Bidders must have commissioned at least 3 MW of cumulative solar capacity and at least one rooftop project of 1 MW or more, along with demonstrated operation and maintenance capability. For BESS, bidders must demonstrate experience commissioning at least 4 MWh of storage capacity, including systems with a minimum four-hour discharge duration, and at least 1 MW of PCS experience.
They must also have experience with RESCO, BOOM, or OPEX models, with at least three such projects, including at least one PPA of 15 years or more, along with capabilities in billing, metering, and asset ownership and transfer.
Bidders must have a minimum net worth of ₹10 million (~$105,460) and either an annual turnover of ₹50 million (~$527,300), PBDIT of ₹10 million (~$105,460), or access to a ₹10 million (~$105,460) line of credit.
The project must be commissioned within six months from the effective date of the PPA, failing which penalties linked to performance bank guarantees will be imposed, including encashment of up to ₹6 million (~$63,276) for delays beyond three months.
Earlier this year, BHEL issued a tender to set up 1,300 kW of solar projects in Jhansi and Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Subscribe to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker to stay on top of the real-time tender activity.
Meghana Prasad
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© 2026 by Mercom Capital Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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India’s Solar Industry Draws $2.37 Bn FDI In 2025  BW Businessworld
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Neoen Activates Major Solar Farm In Australia With Large Battery Storage Expansion Planned  SolarQuarter
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CERC approves deviations in 500 MW PSP tender
May 6, 2026
Follow Mercom India on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights
In 2025, inverter shipments to solar projects in India increased 40.8% compared to 2024, driven by record installations and a strong project pipeline targeted for commissioning in the first half of 2026, ahead of the phased reduction in interstate transmission systems charges waiver. The upcoming ALMM-II deadline created uncertainty around cells and module availability, prompting developers to accelerate project execution during the year.
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the deviations sought by Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation from the standard bidding guidelines for the procurement of 500 MW power from interstate transmission system-connected pumped storage projects (PSP).
The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the additional surcharge on electricity consumed through open access by consumers within the areas served by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam. The surcharge of ₹1.37 (~$0.0144)/kWh determined for the second half of the financial year (FY) 2026, a 13% increase from the previous ₹1.21 (~$0.0127)/kWh, will apply from April 30, 2026.
Renewable energy developers have shown reluctance to move away from the proposed Bikaner V transmission system to evacuate 6 GW of solar power in Rajasthan, even after the project has been deemed infeasible. Developers granted in-principle connectivity under the Bikaner V project have already acquired about 15,000 acres of land and committed significant investments.
The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a revised load management procedure submitted by Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company. The revision applies to industrial, town, and rural feeders, as well as feeders under the Advanced Distribution Management System. It also introduces provisions for agricultural pump feeders.
The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission issued the draft ‘Terms and Conditions for Determination of Transmission Tariff Regulations, 2026,’ establishing the framework for determining transmission tariffs for intrastate transmission systems. Stakeholders have until May 30, 2026, to provide their feedback.
Bharat Heavy Electricals invited bids to select a developer to set up a 1,130 kW rooftop solar project integrated with a 4,520 kWh battery energy storage system at its Ramachandrapuram facility in Hyderabad. The final capacities must be optimized by the selected bidder based on a detailed feasibility assessment. Bids must be submitted by May 14, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.
The Punjab State Power Corporation invited bids for the procurement of 250 MW of solar power from projects of 50 MW or more located anywhere in Punjab, on a long-term basis for 25 years. The last date to submit bids is May 28, 2026. Bids will be opened on June 1.
NTPC Renewable Energy floated two tenders inviting bids to supply the balance-of-system for 2,100 MW of grid-connected solar projects in Andhra Pradesh. The last day to submit bids is June 5, 2026. Bids will be opened on the same day.
The Indian Energy Exchange reported a monthly electricity traded volume of 12,341 million units in April 2026, increasing 16.6% year-over-year. India’s electricity consumption reached 154 billion units, up 4% YoY. April witnessed dynamic weather conditions. The weather ranged from unseasonal rainfall to peak summer heat. This drove electricity demand to an all-time high of 256 GW.
Mercom Staff
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© 2026 by Mercom Capital Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Latest report from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) finds measurable advancements in PV module recycling performance compared to its prior studies, including higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity.
Image: Soren H, Unsplash
PV module recycling is making “meaningful advancement” across both commercial and pilot-scale technologies, according to a new report from the IEA-PVPS.
The latest Task 12 report presents new and updated life cycle inventory (LCI) data. Its sources include two U.S.-based commercial crystalline silicon (c-Si) module recyclers, Solarcycle and SPR, Italian pilot-scale c-Si module recycler 9-Tech, the EU-funded Photorama project and updated global LCI data on cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules from U.S.-based thin-film solar module specialist First Solar.
The report says that, in comparison to prior Task 12 studies, the research found measurable advancements in PV module recycling performance across higher material recovery rates, improved process yields and higher output purity.
It says recovery rates for high-value materials have “improved significantly” compared to a 2024 study, when the pure-mechanical benchmark recycling technology did not recover silicon or silver. “In the current study, SPR reports recovery of 98 weight percent (wt. %) of input silicon using a pure-mechanical process at commercial scale, while 9-Tech achieves 95 wt. % silicon recovery in a pilot-scale system that employs mechanical, thermal and chemical recycling processes,” the report explains.
IEA-PVPS also highlights the recovery of non-ferrous metals, including silver, aluminum, and copper, which the report says represents “a new capability for mechanical processes at scale.” “Solarcycle reports recovery of nearly 92 wt. % for silver and approximately 95 wt.% for copper, while SPR reports 99% copper recovery,” the report continues. “In its pilot-scale system, 9-Tech achieves recovery rates of 95 wt. % for copper, 90 wt. % for silver, and 90 wt. % for aluminum. First Solar reports recovery of more than 90 wt. % for the semiconductor material and more than 90 wt. % of metals beyond the semiconductor materials.”
The report then notes developments in output purity, further enhancing the value of recovering materials. “In the current study, Photorama achieves 5N purity for silicon and greater than 2N purity for silver,” IEA-PVPS’ results add. “SPR reports 99% purity for recovered copper and other trace metals through mechanical processing, while 9-Tech achieves up to 95% purity for copper and silver in recovered metallic powders.”
Glass recovery has progressed on 2024 levels, IEA-PVPS’ report continues, explaining that advances in mechanical, thermal and other separation approaches, such as flash lamp separation and water jet cleaning, can achieve high glass yield and purity but may require more energy than pure mechanical processes.
IEA-PVPS’ report outlines that applications for the reuse of recovered materials is expanding. It says recovered silicon is being used for battery anodes, sputter targets, and metallurgical grade applications while non-ferrous metals are sent to metal recyclers, smelters, and refineries, helping to reduce reliance on new resources. The report also finds evidence of glass recovery being reused in flat glass production.
Despite the overall progress, the report stresses that there are persistent gaps in material quality reporting, system boundary harmonization and energy-use characterization. It also suggests that additional information on downstream use and treatment pathways would help future efforts to quantify material recovery, energy recovery and landfill disposal, in turn improving assessment of reuse pathways in future updates.
“Continued collaboration among recyclers, researchers, policymakers, and standard-setting bodies will be essential to improve data consistency, guide research and development priorities and support the development of circular, high-value pathways for PV materials,” IEA-PVPS’ report concludes. “A forthcoming Task 12 study will develop life cycle assessment-based analyses to assess life-cycle implications across different PV recycling pathways.”
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HERZILIYA PITUACH, Israel(AP) — HERZILIYA PITUACH, Israel (AP) — SolarEdge Technologies Inc. (SEDG) on Wednesday reported a loss of $57.4 million in its first quarter.
On a per-share basis, the Herziliya Pituach, Israel-based company said it had a loss of 95 cents. Losses, adjusted for stock option expense and non-recurring costs, were 43 cents per share.
The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 23 cents per share.
The photovoltaic products maker posted revenue of $310.5 million in the period, which topped Street forecasts. Nine analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $303.4 million.
For the current quarter ending in June, SolarEdge said it expects revenue in the range of $325 million to $355 million.
_____
This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SEDG at https://www.zacks.com/ap/SEDG
Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     
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‘I find that if I cool the house before the sun goes down, then [the HVAC] doesn’t have to run as much at night.”
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A homesteader recently took to TikTok to share his impressions after pairing a new heat pump HVAC system with his solar panel setup. 
In the short clip, Nate Petroski (@natepetroski), a popular off-grid creator, revealed that he recently installed a Daikin heat pump and mini-split HVAC system. “[I’ve] never had a mini-split before, and I’m finding I don’t use too much electricity,” he explains. 
If you’re unfamiliar with the technology, heat pumps and mini-splits differ from traditional gas or electric-resistance systems. Unlike furnaces, which produce heat by burning fuel like oil or gas, heat pumps transfer energy between homes and the ambient air. They can be reversed to function during both the summer and winter. And these units are outstandingly efficient. 
Homeowners who are really looking to save, or who want to cut ties entirely with the grid like Petroski, can pair their energy-efficient electric appliances with solar panels. By fueling your HVAC system with the power of the sun, you’re essentially getting free heating and cooling. 
Working with a trusted HVAC company like Palmetto to go from an old HVAC unit to a modern heat pump is one of the best strategies if you’re looking to avoid rising electricity rates or reduce your overall energy costs.
According to Petroski, since the upgrade, he now sets the thermostat slightly cooler than his ideal temperature to help the home stay comfortable overnight, when his solar panels aren’t generating power.
‘I find that if I cool the house before the sun goes down, then [the HVAC] doesn’t have to run as much at night,” he explains. 
“And obviously I’ve got all kinds of free power right now,” Petroski says while showing footage of his extensive solar panel array.  
The Merino Mono is a heating and cooling system designed for the rooms traditional HVAC can’t reach. The streamlined design eliminates clunky outdoor units, installs in under an hour, and plugs into a standard 120V outlet — no expensive electrical upgrades required.
And while a traditional “mini-split” system can get pricey fast, the Merino Mono comes with a flat-rate price — with hardware and professional installation included.
While some online chatter suggests heat pumps are noisier than standard AC units, Petroski’s experience challenges that common misconception.
“Basically, I’m really happy with the AC,” he explains. “I can even make voiceovers and videos and it doesn’t screw up the audio, and I can stay cool.” 
Petroski isn’t the only one experiencing the benefits of an HVAC upgrade. 
“I just got a mini-split installed and am loving it!” one commenter added. 
“I don’t understand why [these are] not more common in America,” another wrote. “They are everywhere in Europe.” 
If these testimonials have you considering a modern heat pump upgrade, it may be worth exploring Palmetto’s Comfort Plan to lower your heating and cooling energy costs by up to 50%.
The Comfort Plan is a $0-down HVAC leasing option that eliminates the upfront installation costs of a heating and cooling upgrade. Plans start as low as $99 a month and include over a decade of free maintenance.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to install solar and backup batteries to boost your savings even further, connect with the solar experts at EnergySage. Its free tools make it easy to find the best panels and installers for your home and budget, saving you up to $10,000 on the cost of installation.
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Scientific Reports volume 15, Article number: 43600 (2025) Cite this article
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In recent years, the growing interest in renewable energy has increased attention on photovoltaic systems. While traditional photovoltaic systems are typically built on the ground, floating photovoltaic power generation involves placing photovoltaic panels on floating platforms in water. When these platforms are on the sea surface, the solar radiation received by the photovoltaic array changes periodically due to ocean waves, leading to fluctuations in the maximum power point temperature and light radiation. This results in varying power generation capacities and an unbalanced energy supply at different locations. The current fixed DC bus voltage further exacerbates this issue, reducing power generation efficiency. A new multi-winding permanent magnet synchronous motor (MWPMSM) system for distributed energy is proposed to address these challenges. This system features multiple independent DC buses, each operating at a different voltage level to ensure compatibility with the energy absorbed by each part of the photovoltaic array. The MWPMSM system is designed with a specific structure and mathematical model, and its structure parameters are carefully chosen and verified through finite element analysis. A control strategy for the MWPMSM is then established, and an experimental platform is used to demonstrate that the system maintains high efficiency and unchanged output power while ensuring a balanced power ratio (the Maximum error of winding power ratio is 6.7%).
With the increasing energy demand, the siting of photovoltaic power stations worldwide is mainly based on land. However, land resources are extremely precious, which poses a significant barrier to the promotion of photovoltaic power stations. Floating photovoltaic systems, due to their low cost, ease of installation and maintenance, and high-power generation efficiency, have become a hot topic of research. Many countries and regions have begun to apply this technology on a large scale^1,2. The PV characteristic curve is shown in Fig. 1, The blue dashed line represents the MPPT curve. To enhance the value of photovoltaic utilization, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology is very important³. The V-I curve of photovoltaic cells is similar to a parabola. When the voltage increases from zero, the current remains constant, and when it increases to the maximum power point (MPP), the current begins to decrease as the voltage increases, so it is very necessary to find the maximum power point⁴.
PV characteristic curve under temperature and light intensity variations.
Figure 2 shows the offshore work platform is powered by different offshore floating photovoltaic arrays, and the offshore floating power supply at different locations. When the floating body swings under the action of ocean waves, the equivalent light intensity on the surface of each photovoltaic cell changes accordingly, and with the change of light intensity, the V-I of the photovoltaic array also changes, and the maximum power point also changes^5,6,7,8,9. Since the light and wave floating conditions are different, as shown in Fig. 3, the tradition is to import the power supply into the same voltage busbar, adopt a single busbar voltage, and then use it for the work platform water pump motor¹⁰. The problem with this form is due to adopting a single bus voltage, where different floating photovoltaic arrays cannot operate at their respective maximum power points¹¹. This situation complicates energy scheduling and collaborative motor control, ultimately reducing the overall efficiency of the energy management system¹².
Offshore floating photovoltaic power generation system.
Traditional offshore work platform powered from floating photovoltaic arrays.
The solution is to adopt the idea of power distribution and management of distributed generation and nearby conversion¹³, with energy balance and energy flow efficiency as the optimization goals, split the control model of the energy management system into multiple subsystems, and implement the distributed collaborative control method to make each module work together to maintain power balance and improve energy utilization efficiency. Since the energy management system uses distributed generation, the motor should also be in the form of multiple modules, as shown in Fig. 4(such as division into three parts).
Multiple modules powered from floating photovoltaic arrays.
In Fig. 4, the DC bus voltage is no longer fixed at a single value as shown in Fig. 3. The photovoltaic arrays in different regions can track their own MPP due to changes in irradiance caused by factors such as waves and shading, The power-distribution controller allocates power to each winding based on the conditions of different areas. Thereby improving the overall efficiency of the system.
Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) have many advantages, such as energy saving, high power density, high efficiency, and fast dynamic response. It is very suitable for offshore working platforms with high requirements for energy saving and fast response. Sun P. et al. proposed that the two sets of windings are with double winding hybrid exciters; these exciters are on the stator and rotor, respectively. In this drive system, two Converters and heat dissipation-related challenges require that the inner rotor winding cannot be ignored. Jiang X et al. proposed double-winding Fault-tolerant machines, in which double windings were backed up to have the same polar pair numbering as each other. Reliability, however, the drive system is improved at the expense of torque density. The motor is not conducive to a floating photovoltaic distributed power generation system. Hui‑Min Wang proposed the single‑winding arrangement for arbitrary multiphase bearingless permanent magnet synchronous motor^14,15. Most of these motors adopt a multiphase structure. Inaccurate position detection can easily lead to torque imbalance¹⁶. Shaoshuai Wang et al. proposed the flux-modulated multi-winding PM machine (FMM-PMM) for electric vehicles, by adopting two stator windings with different pole-pairs aiming to achieve multiple harmonics utilization with high efficiency. Due to the technical features of harmonic utilization and magnetic gear effect, the torque density of the proposed PM machine can be improved without worsening the power factor¹⁷. Furthermore, increasing the number of phases will bring complexity to the design of stator and rotor structures, which is not conducive to multi-modular design. In this paper, a new type of outer rotor permanent magnet synchronous motor is proposed to reduce the unbalanced torque caused by multiple modules, and it can well meet the requirements of distributed power supply.
Considering the floating photovoltaic distributed power generation system application scenario, the motor has a disc-type outer rotor structure, as shown in Fig. 5, and the winding adopts a design scheme of the same phase¹⁸. At the same time, due to its redundant structural design, three sets of accumulators can be independently powered and generated using a motor controller PWM The signal directly drives three sets of inverters in parallel, ensuring that the three sets of windings of the MWPMSM have three times the output power of the conventional permanent magnet synchronous motor when driven by stator current at the same frequency and phase. In this way, the MWPMSM reduces the number of turns per set of stator windings compared to conventional permanent magnet motors of equal power by 1/3, while the total number of turns of the stator winding remains unchanged. Moreover, the working characteristics of the MWPMSM are better when analyzed from the point of view of the actual driving capability. Each of the three sets of stator windings of the motor is arranged in a phase-free angle difference arrangement and is not electrically connected Y.Y. Type connection. The schematic diagram of the stator structure is shown in Fig. 5b. So, the motor has a total of nine outlet ends, which need the controller to provide each phase stator current, and at the same time, the control strategy must be used to ensure the same frequency and phase. At the same time, from the perspective of motor design and operation, this structure can ensure the balance of forces on the motor shaft, reduce the uneven rotation of the motor rotor, and reduce the vibration and noise generated by the motor. The winding motor winding electromagnetic wire is in the form of multiple strands and is insulated between each strand. The motor wire turns and outlet ends are evenly divided according to the number of strands 3 Sections, each of which may be used as a separate motor winding, A1B1C1 Composition of motor windings 1, A2B2C2 Composition of motor windings 2, A3B3C3 Composition of motor windings 3, are all controlled by an independent controller¹⁹. Each part of the power is designed for 100W, the motor operating voltage is set at 35V ~ 100V.
Overall structure diagram of MWPMSM.
The MWPMSM is a non-linear system with multi-variable, multi-input features. To facilitate the analysis and the establishment of the model, the following ideal assumptions are made²⁰:
1. The three-phase windings are symmetrically distributed, and the windings are arranged symmetrically in spatial position.
2. Ignoring core saturation, excluding eddies and hysteresis phenomena.
3. The magnetic potential generated by the stator winding current in the air gap is sinusoidally distributed, ignoring the higher harmonics.
Mathematical model of MWPMSM under a stationary coordinate system. Voltage Eq. (1):
Magnetic flux Eq. (2):
where:
where, u_ai, u_bi, and u_ci (i = 1,2,3) are the three-phase stator voltages of windings, respectively. i_ai, i_bi, i_ci, (i = 1,2,3)are three-phase stator currents of windings; R_s is the winding resistance of the stator per phase; ψ_ai, ψ_bi, ψ_ci, (i = 1,2,3) are three-phase stator fluxes of windings, respectively. The flux coefficient matrix γ represents the position distribution relationship of each phase winding; θ represents the electrical angle between the rotor pole position and the winding shaft of the stator phase A; L_s represents the motor inductance coefficient matrix, respectively. L_m1, L_m2, and L_m3 are the mutual inductance coefficients between winding 1 and winding 2, winding 1 and winding 3, and winding 2 and winding 3, respectively. L_r1, L_r2, and L_r3 are the leakage inductance coefficients of windings 1,2, and 3. ψ_f is the flux of a permanent magnet.
Electromagnetic Torque Eq. (9):
Since the motors designed herein are three sets of windings, all in phase Y. Shift 0° The electrical angles are arranged. At the same time, the electromagnetic coupling between the windings of this motor is small, and the difference between the self-induction coefficient, mutual induction coefficient, and leakage induction coefficient is minimal, so coordinate transformation and establishment are being carried out d-q Influences such as winding mutual inductance are ignored during analysis of coordinate systems²⁰. The electrical characteristics of each set of motor windings during operation are the same as those of ordinary PMSM²¹. Thus, only one set of windings needs to be mathematically modeled for subsequent analysis, such as coordinate transformation. Furthermore, the total electromagnetic torque Te of the MWPMSM is the vector sum of the three sets of windings superimposed on each other, so:
To control the motor more accurately, first of all, we need to consider the design structure of the motor, simulate the electromagnetic field, and analyze the finite element model of the motor according to the structural parameters and basic performance of the motor. This section mainly discusses the relevant technical indicators of multi-winding motor design and the boundary conditions of motor design, to study the calculation method of the motor magnetic circuit, and establish the finite element model of the motor.
The basic requirement of MWPMSM is to use a total of 2 motors on the left and right as the propulsion device, each motor includes 3 sets of windings, and each set of windings and its corresponding drive are a motor module. According to the project requirements, the motor system design basic requirement is shown in Table 1:
The MWPMSM is mainly composed of four parts: motor stator, rotor, winding, and permanent magnet. This section mainly discusses the design methods of these four parameters.
The stator parameters of the motor mainly include the parameters of the stator core and the parameters of the slot. The parameters of the stator core mainly involve the inner diameter of the stator punch, the outer diameter of the stator, and the effective length of the core. The size of the inner diameter of the stator and the effective length of the core are inextricably linked to the performance of the motor. Therefore, an important step in the design of a motor is to determine the main dimensions of the motor.
The parameters of the groove include the selection of the number of grooves and the determination of the size of the groove. The selection of the number of slots is closely related to the design of the motor winding. In terms of winding design, there are usually single- or double-layer windings. Single-layer winding refers to a slot in only one group of windings, only connected with the winding of another slot, forming a closed loop. For single-layer winding, the selection of the number of slots should meet the number of phases and the number of poles of the motor at the same time. Double-layer winding refers to a slot with two layers of windings, the windings are separated by insulating materials. For multi-layer windings, the selection of the number of slots should meet the Eq. (11) ²².
where Q₁ indicates the number of stator slots for the motor, k indicates a value greater than or equal to 1, a represents the number of winding layers.
In terms of motor rotor parameters, two aspects are mainly considered: the outer diameter of the rotor and the length of the rotor core. The selection of the outer diameter of the rotor should not be too small, as the outer diameter of the rotor is too small, there will be insufficient space to achieve the installation of the motor poles and rotating shafts.
Motor winding parameters:
where N_Ф1 represents the number of series conductors per phase of the motor, N_S1 represents the number of conductors per slot of the motor, and α₁ represents the number of parallel branches of the motor.
When designing PMSM, the magnetic field of PMSM is usually converted into a magnetic circuit for research and analysis, and a preliminary design is carried out to achieve the purpose of simplifying the calculation. Through the calculation of the magnetic circuit, the key parameters such as the magnetic flux of the motor and the magnetic density of the motor can be calculated. The following is a study of the magnetic circuit calculation in the case of no load of the motor. The expression for the calculated length of the stator tooth magnetic circuit is Eq. (13).
where h′_t1 represents the calculated length of the stator tooth magnetic circuit; hs₁, hs₂, and r represent the specific size parameters of the cogging.
The magnetic pressure drop of the stator tooth can be obtained by calculating the length of the stator tooth magnetic circuit, and its expression is Eq. (14).
where F_t1 represents the magnetic pressure drop of the stator teeth; H_t10 can query the DC magnetization characteristic table of stator material to obtain the parameter value, which indicates the degree of magnetization.
After a series of parameters about the stator teeth have been calculated, the parameters about the stator yoke need to be calculated. The stator yoke calculates the height expression in Eq. (15).
where h′_j1 denotes the calculated height of the stator yoke; D₁ denotes the outer diameter of the stator.
Before calculating the magnetic circuit, it is necessary to calculate the pole distance and relative recovery permeability of the motor:
The no-load working point of the permanent magnet that will be obtained b_m0, with the no-load work point set at the beginning, b′_m0 Compare and calculate, if the error value between the two Δb_m0 Less than 1%, it can be proved that the no-load working point set at the beginning meets the current requirements. If the current requirements are not met, one unloaded working point needs to be reassumed and a series of calculations performed. It’s error value Δb_m0 the expression in Eq. (17) ²³.
The above calculation of the magnetic circuit of the motor was carried out, based on the above formula, and at the same time, concerning the design of multi-winding motors at home and abroad, the main dimensions of each part of the motor and the materials used in each part were established, the basic parameters of the motor The numbers are as shown in Table 2.
According to the above motor design parameters and design requirements, the surface-mounted external rotor structure of the MWPMSM was finally established, and the finite element model was established by design software. Through the finite element software, you can quickly check whether the design parameters of each part of the motor meet the requirements, play a role in verification, and optimize and modify the motor in combination with the simulation results²⁴.
After modeling the motor, the design is first analyzed for a no-load simulation. The no-load state refers to no current excitation source, and only permanent magnets are excited separately²⁵. The following are the simulation results:
Figure 6 shows that the no-load air gap magnetic dense waveform has good waveform smoothness, the flux density waveform has two zero crossings within each cycle, which is a typical characteristic of PMSM and helps to produce stable torque, and the cogging torque has little influence, so the design is reasonable. The amplitude of the air-gap magnetic dense waveform is about 0.8 T when the motor is no-load, which meets the performance requirements of the motor²⁶.
Relationship between the magnetic density of the air gap and the angle of the rotor position.
Figure 7 is the vector magnetic potential distribution diagram at the 45-degree rotor position angle, from which it can be seen that the magnetic field distribution is relatively uniform, the magnetic field is not saturated, and the motor still has a large adjustment range²⁷.
Vector potential distribution at 45 degrees.
Figure 8 shows the relationship between the flux and the current of the DQ axis when the stator current of the motor changes, the flux value is within a reasonable range, the core has not reached saturation, and the torque and speed of the motor can be accurately controlled by controlling the current of the D axis and the Q axis. By adjusting the magnitude and phase of the current in the D-axis and Q-axis, the magnetic field-oriented control of the motor can be realized, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the motor²⁸.
Relationship between DQ axis flux and DQ current.
Figure 9 shows the relationship between the DQ axis inductance and the stator current of the motor in a permanent magnet synchronous motor, the DQ axis inductance is a parameter that describes the internal inductance of the motor, and in a permanent magnet synchronous motor, the DQ axis inductance is usually nonlinear and related to the current magnitude and magnetic field distribution, it is a linear relationship within a certain range. By controlling the current in the D-axis and Q-axis, the inductance of the motor can be affected, and the performance and control characteristics of the motor can be affected²⁹.
Relationship between DQ axis inductance and DQ current.
Figure 10 shows the relationship between the control angle and the torque, and marks the working point of the motor at 30A. The control angle refers to the relative position between the magnetic field of the rotor and the magnetic field of the stator, controlling the motor. A reasonable selection of control angle can improve the efficiency, response speed, and stability of the motor; while reducing energy loss and vibration noise, As can be seen in Fig. 10, the torque at the working point is about 9.5Nm to meet the design requirements³⁰.
Relationship between control angle V.S. torque.
Figure 11 shows the relationship between the air gap magnetic field and the rotor position angle, and it can be seen from the air gap magnetic field curve that the magnetic field density amplitude meets the design requirements, which is about 0.9T, and there is a slight deformation at the individual peaks, which can be solved by optimizing the motor cogging in the later stage³¹.
Air gap magnetic field V.S. rotor position angle.
Figure 12 shows the relationship between output torque and speed, from which it can be seen that the motor can still maintain the maximum torque of 9.5Nm at 900r/min, and the torque is still greater than 3Nm when the motor reaches 2600r/min, which meets the design requirements³².
Output torque V.S. speed.
Figure 13 shows the relationship between the power factor of the motor and the speed, and it can be seen that in the whole speed range, the power factor varies between 0.974–1, the electric energy utilization rate of the motor is higher, the reactive power is smaller, and the motor efficiency is higher³³.
Motor power factor V.S. speed.
How to keep the current phase of the three sets of windings consistent is the core problem, the research on the control strategy of MWPMSM mainly includes the following aspects: first, the comparison and analysis of different controllers selected for multi-motor modules are carried out, and the reasonable parameters of the best controller are determined; Second, based on theoretical analysis, the tracking effect of the winding current of the remaining motor modules on the reference current phase after selecting different controllers is simulated and compared³⁴. The third is to carry out system simulation experiments of multi-winding motors to verify the feasibility of their coordinated operation³⁵.
Figure 14 shows the block diagram of the MWPMSM control system and control strategy. Figure 14b gives the control strategy diagram. To simplify control, the (i_{d}^{ * } = 0) control method is adopted to achieve static decoupling control of active and reactive currents³⁶. After the Park transformation, the electromagnetic torque equation is (18):
Control system and control strategy diagram.
where Ω is motor angular velocity, The electromagnetic torque is proportional to i_q , and the electromagnetic power is proportional to T_e. Therefore, by proportionally distributing i_q , power can be proportionally distributed at a certain speed. K_PD1, K_PD2 are Power-distribution proportionality coefficients. i_A1 is multiplied by K_PD1 to serve as the basis for tracking current in winding 2, i_A1 is multiplied by K_PD2 to serve as the basis for tracking current in winding 3, and so on. Because the reference current i_A1 is an AC input signal, the use of PI control cannot improve the phase-locking accuracy, and there is a system steady-state error. Due to the wide speed range of the motor, the corresponding current frequency conversion range is large, so the current should be tracked over a wide range³⁷. As shown in Fig. 15, an SPLL based on an orthogonal signal generator controller can be used to realize the tracking of the current phase of the other two sets of windings to the phase of the reference current i_A1^38,39.
Structure diagram of SPLL based on orthogonal signal generator.
From Fig. 15, Small signal analysis is done using the network theory, the PLL closed-loop Phase transfer function can be written as follows: Eq. (19) ⁴⁰.
Comparing the closed-loop phase transfer function to the generic second-order system transfer function, the transfer function Eq. (20) can be obtained.
where T_i is the sample time.
Figure 16 shows the block diagram of Orthogonal signal generator of SPLL. The presented structure is based on a second-order generator integrator (SOGI), which is defined as Eq. (21).
Orthogonal signal generator of SPLL.
where ω_n represents the resonance frequency of the SOGI.
When the SPLL based on an orthogonal signal generator control strategy is used, the second-order generalized integrator closed-loop transfer function can be written in Eq. (22) ⁴⁰.
where k affects the bandwidth of the closed-loop system. Once the orthogonal signal is generated Park transform is used to detect the d and q components on the rotating reference frame. This is then fed to the loop filter, which controls the VCO of the PLL. Take the rotational speed 1500r/min with a current frequency is 450Hz as the working point⁴⁰.
Using the proposed method, the input signal is filtered, resulting in two clean orthogonal signals, due to the resonance frequency of the Orthogonal signal generator of SPLL at ω_n (grid frequency). The level of filtering can be set from k, as shown in Fig. 17, where there is a higher gain over a wide frequency range near the operating point. By selecting the parameters of k, comprehensively considering the stability performance and anti-interference ability of the SPLL based on the orthogonal signal generator controller system, and continuously optimizing the simulation model, the parameter values of SPLL are finally determined as follows: k = 3. The Bode plot is shown in Fig. 17 to optimize the control performance of the system.
Bode plot and step response of the closed-loop transfer function (H_d).
The simulated waveform based on the SPLL control current inner loop tracking strategy is shown in Fig. 18, after the current is stable, the tracking current i_A2 and the reference current i_A1 basically maintain the same phase and amplitude before 0.02s, and after the sudden load torque of 0.02s, the current increase of the two is still sinusoidally distributed, and there is almost no steady-state error, that is, the tracking current can effectively track the AC reference signal without static difference. After adopting the SPLL control strategy, the current phase of the tracking current i_A2 can quickly track the current phase of the reference current i_A1 with a very small error, and the simulation results are consistent with the theoretical analysis in the previous section, that is, the SPLL based on SOGI control can realize the static tracking of the AC input signal. At the same time, the phase synchronization between multiple winding currents is realized, which solves the problem that the phase needs to be consistent between multiple winding currents and improves the accuracy of phase locking.
Waveform diagram of tracking current and reference current under SPLL control.
Figure 18 illustrates the tracking current of module 2 following the implementation of the SPLL based on the SOGI control strategy. This method effectively mitigates the high-order harmonics of the output current, significantly enhancing the system’s steady-state accuracy. Additionally, it results in minimal phase shift between the tracking current waveform and the reference current waveform (phase lag of less than 0.005 rad) and enables error-free tracking without static error.
Figure 19 shows the speed and torque of the motor. The initial speed is ω = 1200rad/s, the load torque remains unchanged at 10Nm, the speed increases to ω = 1600rad/s at 0.5s, the system simulation time is the same as 1s, and the waveform of the motor speed and torque is observed.
MWPMSM speed and torque during acceleration.
Based on the simulation results shown in Fig. 19, it is evident that following a sudden change in motor speed at 0.5s, the speed quickly stabilizes at a new set value of 1600 r/min and remains constant. Throughout the motor’s startup, speed adjustment, and stable operation phases, the motor speed remains relatively stable. Although there is a brief fluctuation in the electromagnetic torque at 0.5s, it quickly stabilizes at the initial value of 10Nm. While there is some pulsation in the electromagnetic torque when the speed increases at 0.5s, it is brief and does not impact the system’s stability or dynamic performance.
Figure 20 shows the experimental platform of a MWPMSM control system. The basic parameters of the motors used in the experiment are shown in Table 2. The voltage range of the DC bus is 35 ~ 100V, each motor module in the controller corresponds to a set of main control board and power drive board respectively, each power board has six drive signal circuits, and there is a power module on the bottom board, which sup-plies power to the main control board and the power drive board after voltage conversion.
Experimental platform for MWPMSM control system.
In this experimental platform, the host computer interface is used to simulate the new energy management system, and the speed command and winding power distribution command are issued to the motor controller. When a given DC bus voltage is input to the controller, configure the communication settings of the host computer monitoring system, select the corresponding host COM port, and then enter the operation control, and set the corresponding target speed to the power ratio of multiple windings, as shown in Fig. 21.
Host computer monitoring system interface.
The motor controller designed in this experiment consists of two sets of main control board and power drive board, because the winding current of module 2 and module 3 is obtained by the same control strategy and the same controller, the winding current of the two is the same, so only two sets of windings in the MWPMSM are used for experimental verification (i.e., winding 1 and winding 2). Each set of the main control board and power driver board can be directly connected with a set of motor windings to form a motor module. An external regulated source provides the DC bus voltage. After power-on, the MWPMSM does not rotate, and the controller forces the magnetic field orientation to ensure that the starting position of the two sets of windings is consistent, and the monitoring interface of the host computer shows that the magnetic field orientation is being carried out. After entering the starting state, the motor will increase the speed until it reaches the set speed and enters the stable operation state, and the power distribution can be adjusted after reaching the stable operation state.
The monitoring system of the host computer sets the speed of the MWPMSM to 1000r/rpm. Taking the C phase of the respective windings as an example, the current at the stage from 0 to 400 r/min during motor operation is shown in the Figure 22a, and the current at the stage from 400 r/min to a given speed of 1000 r/min is shown in Figure 22b. where 10mv represents a current of 10A.
(a) Current waveform at 0 to 400r/min (b) Current waveform at 400 to 1000r/min.
Figure 22 shows the current change, the analysis, and the comparison of the two figures. The winding current of module 1 is synchronized with the winding current of module 2 in the process of motor speed increase, which confirms the feasibility of theoretical verification. At the beginning of the motor, weak magnetic speed increases, when running to 400r/min, it will stay stable for a short time, at this time, the current waveform changes from Fig. 22a, b and the current amplitude decreases slightly, which is because it is in the forced commutation stage at this moment, the excitation current becomes the torque current, and the demagnetization is carried out, to achieve closed-loop torque control and ensure that the motor rises to a given speed. The frequency is gradually increasing, and the rotational speed is gradually increasing.
When the given speed is reached at 1000r/min, the monitoring interface of the host computer is displayed as normal operation, and the DC bus voltage of the two windings is set to 63.1V respectively. Figure 23 shows the current waveform when the power ratio of winding 1 and winding 2 is set to 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, respectively. The monitoring interface of the upper computer can display the power occupied by each winding under different distribution ratios. The power ratio of the remaining windings is shown in Table 3.
(a) The current of phase C at 1000r/min with a winding power ratio of 1:1 (b). C-phase current with a 1000r/min winding power ratio of 2:1 (c). C-phase current waveform with a winding power ratio of 3:1 at 1000r/min.
In Table 3, the C-phase current was measured at various settings of the winding power ratio. When the motor operates normally and the power ratio of winding 1 to winding 2 is set to 1:1, the amplitude and phase of the current waveform for winding 1 and winding 2 are identical. This demonstrates the feasibility of a multi-winding motor with a 1:1 power ratio. In this configuration, the winding current of motor module 2 can accurately mirror the winding current of motor module 1, maintaining phase synchronization and achieving static tracking of the AC input signal. When the power ratio is set to 2:1, the current amplitude of winding 1 will increase immediately, and the current amplitude of winding 2 will decrease immediately, as shown in Fig. 23. It is estimated to be roughly 2:1 by the internal program, which corresponds to the set ratio of winding power. While changing the winding power ratio, the multi-winding motor maintains a given speed of 1000r/min, and the change of winding power is proportional to the change of torque, and the C-phase current and torque current are measured by the experiment and need to be transformed by Park, which is a nonlinear relationship. Therefore, from the experimental waveform of Fig. 23b above, it is not completely proportional to 2:1, but the current increases when the power of winding 1 increases. When the power of winding 2 is reduced, the current decreases, and the two still maintain the same frequency, and the current error is very small, maintaining the change trend of synchronization to meet the real-time performance of the power ratio. Similarly, when the power ratio is set to 3:1, as shown in Fig. 23c, the current of winding 1 continues to increase, the current of winding 2 decreases correspondingly, and the current still basically maintains the same frequency, and the phase error is small so that the current of winding 1 and the current of winding 2 are controlled and the current phase synchronization is maintained. It solves the difficulty of how to keep the phase synchronization between the currents of multiple windings and improves the phase-locking accuracy. From Table 3, the Maximum error of winding power ratio is 6.7%, and the error is less than 10%. At the same time, under the premise of ensuring the phase between the winding currents, the power of winding 1 and winding 2 can still be reasonably controlled according to the winding power ratio instruction, which proves that the MWPMSM control system has strong robustness, and verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the design scheme in this paper.
In this paper, the structure of the new MWPMSM is analyzed and modeled in detail, the magnetic circuit of the MWPMSM is calculated in detail, its main parameters are determined, and the finite element model of the motor is built for simulation to verify the rationality of the parameter design.
The SPLL based on SOGI control strategy is used to track the phase of the reference current iA1, and the current tracking waveforms under SPLL based on SOGI control are given by simulation. The simulation results show that the SPLL based on the SOGI control strategy can accurately track the amplitude and phase of the reference current and prove the coordination between multiple motor modules. On this basis, the overall system simulation of the motor is carried out, and the simulation results show that the dynamic performance of the motor is well under the condition of load change and speed change, which verifies the correctness and feasibility of the scheme that each motor module in the MWPMSM control system can work independently and coordinated.
The MWPMSM control system was carried out, an experimental platform was built, and the upper computer simulated the new energy management system to issue the speed and the winding power ratio setting instructions of each motor module. Through experiments, it is proved that the winding currents of each motor module are in the same phase, the power setting ratio of different windings is changed, and the current amplitude of each motor module can be changed in real-time, and then the power size can be changed to meet the needs of the energy management system under different working conditions so that each motor module can work at the best working point and improve the overall system efficiency. This paper verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the new MWPMSM system on floating photovoltaic distributed power generation.
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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This research is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China, Efficient and Safe Electrical System Design and Study on weather resistance of offshore floating photovoltaic (grant number 2022YFB4200703).
School of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin, 300382, China
Peng Chen, Qiang Fu & Chunjie Wang
Tianjin Key Laboratory of New Energy Power Conversion, Transmission and Intelligent Control, Tianjin, 300382, China
Peng Chen, Qiang Fu & Chunjie Wang
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Peng Chen conducted the overall design and writing of the article, Qiang Fu designed the experimental system, and Peng Chen and Chunjie Wang analyzed the experimental data. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
Correspondence to Peng Chen, Qiang Fu or Chunjie Wang.
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Chen, P., Fu, Q. & Wang, C. Design and performance evaluation of a MWPMSM for distributed floating photovoltaic system. Sci Rep 15, 43600 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-25152-8
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Solar energy is gaining global prominence and is rapidly becoming a major energy source worldwide. According to reports, Egypt had made significant progress in solar energy installations by September 2022, reaching a total capacity of approximately 3.70 GW and setting renewable energy targets of 42% by 2035. Efficient and accurate PV system design is essential to meet future energy demands. This study presents a novel, cost-effective methodology for designing and validating a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) system using PVsyst software, with a specific focus on evaluating the load requirements of the Solar Energy Lab at Mansoura University, located in the center of the Nile Delta, Egypt. A 2.64 kWp stand-alone system, integrated with a battery storage unit, is designed using PVsyst. The Lab’s annual energy demand is estimated at approximately 4279.78 kWh, while the system’s simulated generation reaches 4418.01 kWh, achieving a performance ratio (PR) of 0.81. PR analysis reveals seasonal variation, with January recording the highest value of 80% due to lower module temperatures, while June records the lowest at 76% as a result of higher temperatures. The annual average PR stands at 81%, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.082/kWh, indicating an optimized system design. The system’s performance is influenced by losses due to environmental factors such as dust, humidity, and temperature. A solar fraction of 87% reflects high reliability in meeting energy demand. To further enhance system efficiency, this study introduces a dynamic algorithm for system design, validated through simulations and a three-month experimental campaign using Watchpower software. The validated approach offers a scalable framework for academic institutions and facilities seeking to implement reliable, low-cost, off-grid PV systems in data-constrained environments.
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The performance ratio, which relates the actual and theoretical outputs of solar energy while accounting for various losses, depends on many factors like ambient conditions, mounting systems, and electrical designs¹⁸. Utilizing coolants during high-temperature days can enhance the performance of solar cell modules by preventing overheating. Accurate location-specific parameters are crucial for designing, operating, maintaining, and sizing rooftop systems¹⁹. Several simulation software, such as PVsyst, INSEL, TRNSYS, PVSOL, and SOLARPRO, along with economic assessment tools like HOMER, Solar Advisor Model (SAM), RETScreen, SOLinvest, and Energy Periscope, are available to calculate energy production and assess the economic viability of PV systems²⁰. Table 1 gives a comparison of the most used software; HOMER and SAM with proposed method for designing the PV stand-alone system. These software tools also aid in determining the performance ratio and minimizing losses. Meteorological databases from sources such as AEMET European Solar Radiation Atlas, NASA, METEONORM, ISPRA-GIS, HELIOS, Solaris, and PV-Design-Pro are used for simulations, with this study utilizing data from METEONORM and PVsyst simulations^21,22,23. PVsyst is a widely employed tool for simulating stand-alone photovoltaic system performance. By example, reporting an annual array output energy of 841.31 kWh with 735.84 kWh supplied to the load²⁴. In Odisha, India, with 1156.39 W/(hbox {m}^2) average solar irradiance, a 1 kWp rooftop PV system generates approximately 4.8 kWh/day, offsetting 28 tons of (CO_{2}) over its lifetime. To validate system performance, a case study utilized PVsyst V6.84 to simulate a 2 kWp rooftop PV system for an 8.9 kWh/day residential load²⁵. A PVsyst case study²² analyzed a stand-alone solar system in Bikaner, designed for an annual demand of 1086.24 kWh. Results show that 1143.6 kWh/year generated, with 1068.12 kWh supplied to the load slightly below demand due to various system losses. The annual performance ratio averaged 72.8% and between 64% and 86% monthly. This highlights performance analysis’s importance for optimal energy delivery and reliability in PV system design. This analysis quantified power losses, enabling optimal system sizing and demonstrating PVsyst’s reliability in forecasting energy delivery, which is critical for design optimization and efficiency assessment in PV applications. Despite some advances in PV modeling software, most studies lack experimental validation for systems designed with minimal instrumentation. Also, there have been limited academic studies addressing the problems of PV deployment by using streamlined tools like PVsyst. This study fills this gap by introducing a practical, experimentally verified methodology suited for educational Labs in the developing regions. The key contributions include simulation-based design optimization, low-cost hardware implementation, and real-time performance validation under actual climatic conditions.
The main objectives and contributions of this study are:
Developing an efficient design method for the PV stand-alone system based on simulation by software PVsyst and experiments.
Evaluate the solar energy potential at the selected location (Mansoura University, Egypt) based on actual meteorological data.
Identify the minimum load requirements to sustain the daily operation of the Solar Energy Lab as a stand-alone system.
Design a photovoltaic system layout using PVsyst software, optimized for local environmental conditions and practical implementation constraints.
Introduce a streamlined design methodology that avoids the use of costly pyranometers and multiple current sensors, relying instead on a single current measurement and simulation-based estimation—representing a key novelty of this work.
Simulate system performance using PVsyst, including detailed loss analysis, performance ratio (PR), and solar fraction (SF), to estimate the long-term behavior of the system.
Demonstrate that a reliable off-grid PV system can be deployed in institutional settings using minimal instrumentation and open-access tools—providing a practical model for similar environments in regions with limited technical infrastructure.
Assessing the performance ratio and losses of the PV system through simulation using PVsyst software.
Correlating the simulation and the experimental results for the selected site.
Experimentally validate the simulation model through real-world measurements of energy output, irradiance, and temperature under operating conditions, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.
The efficiency of a solar system is enhanced by minimizing losses through component optimization, like selecting compatible inverters and ensuring module uniformity. Figure 1 represents the architecture of the proposed system operating under low-voltage (LV), low-power DC comprising the array feeding the DC loads by its own boost converter. The configuration of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, illustrating the interconnections between PV panels, an inverter, battery storage, various loads, and optional grid/generator inputs, is shown in Fig. 2. The system mainly consists of arrays connected with the battery storage system through a battery charger with its own MPPT, then battery-stored energy is converted to AC for appliances, emphasizing the importance of mitigating losses in cable systems for optimal performance and maximizing power utilization. The system also includes a bypass diode for protection³¹. Additionally, UV-safe and weather-resistant cables are essential for these open-air applications.
Layout of stand-alone system as designed by PVsyst.
Configuration of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, illustrating the interconnections between PV panels, an inverter, battery storage, various loads, and optional grid/generator inputs.
This study focuses on analyzing the design and performance of a stand-alone solar photovoltaic system. The investigation explores losses attributed to various factors and closely monitors the plant’s performance using the performance ratio metric. Losses across different aspects are evaluated using PVsyst simulation. It is also used to calculate the performance ratio based on simulated performance. Additionally, the execution of the plant measures energy, solar resources, and the overall impact of the performance ratio and losses.
The solar cell can be represented as shown in Fig. 3 with its basic model, which is detailed in³² by:
To precisely simulate the practical behavior of arrays consisting of various attached cells, other parameters should be considered. This practical model is characterized by accuracy and simplicity; therefore, it is widely used. Accordingly, the array behavior can be defined by the model given by equations (2), (3), and (4) and as detailled in³².
Table 2 lists the parameters of the solar panel as detailed in^31,32 by the equivalent circuit of the solar cell as shown in Fig. 3.
Equivalent model of solar cell.
In some cases, the PV system operates under varying solar irradiance conditions throughout the day. This variation affects the output power, output voltage, and relationship of current under different temperature conditions. The solar module (I-V) and (P-V) characteristics under different solar irradiance and the corresponding maximum power are detailed in³¹. Selecting the appropriate panel is crucial for designing a system that meets the total load demand efficiently with minimal panel usage. The panel selection is influenced by the following factors: solar irradiance, temperature, voltage, current, and configuration.
When designing a photovoltaic system, the geographical location does not constrain the configuration but rather depends on solar irradiance levels. The quality of modules, inverters, and the orientation of solar panels are pivotal factors shaping a system’s design and efficiency, enabling adaptability across diverse settings. The methodology for crafting a PV system involves a comprehensive approach that delves into critical considerations. Solar irradiance levels at a specific site are foundational in gauging the system’s energy potential accurately. The methodology avoids the use of pyranometers and multiple sensors by employing a simulation-based estimation. The design is validated with a single-point current measurement and experimental data by real-time Watchpower based software, representing a novel approach for academic system design. horough comprehension analysis of these levels is crucial for precise performance estimations. Moreover, selecting components of superior quality tailored to site-specific demands is imperative for optimal performance. Additionally, the positioning and tilt of solar panels are pivotal design aspects directly impacting energy generation. Strategic alignment towards the sun and ideal tilt angles serve to maximize sunlight exposure, thereby boosting overall system performance. By intricately weaving together these elements throughout the design process, a meticulously planned methodology ensures the seamless deployment of a dependable and efficient photovoltaic system customized to meet the distinct requirements of each individual project.
In designing the PV system, PVsyst V7.4, a PC software package, is configured using real site coordinates, METEONORM weather data, and detailed load profiles for the Solar Energy Lab. It customizes parameters for solar modules, enabling the study, sizing, and analysis of various systems such as grid-connected and stand-alone setups. The software incorporates comprehensive databases for meteorological and component data, along with general solar energy tools. It facilitates the design of system configurations and provides an estimation of the energy generated. Table 3 presents a summary of PVsyst setup and a comparison with HOMER and SAM software. The software relies on geographical information to simulate the system sizing accurately, as shown in Fig. 4. The outcomes of simulations conducted in PVsyst can encompass various variables, which can be presented in monthly, daily, or hourly values. One valuable feature is the “loss diagram,” which identifies potential weaknesses in the system design²⁶. PVsyst offers a range of pre-existing sites and meteorological files in its databases, but users also have the option to create their own projects based on the specific location and meteorological data they intend to use. Design of the system is achieved by two steps; the first step is creating a system variant, and the second step is the simulation. In the first step, users define the calculation version of their project. They have the flexibility to specify the module orientation, system configuration, and loss parameters according to their requirements. The second step is running the simulation process to generate various graphs and reports that provide insights into the performance of the system. The simulation process in PVsyst involves a series of steps. Users can conveniently analyze the results within the PVsyst program, export them to other software for further analysis, or save them for future evaluation.
Determining the sunlight availability at a specific location is necessary for better design. It helps in planning and designing solar energy systems. The solar irradiance depends on the geographical location and the time of the year. The monthly values of global horizontal, diffused, extraterrestrial irradiation, clearness index, ambient temperature, wind velocity, etc. have been obtained by PVsyst and described in Table 4 for the selected location: Mansoura City, Egypt. Mansoura City lies between (31.03^{circ })N latitude and (31.38^{circ })E longitude. While temperature also plays a role, its impact is secondary to that of irradiance; cooler temperatures generally improve performance. Factors such as irradiance levels, ambient temperature, and wind speed influence the cell temperature. The available current and output power of a solar array depend directly on the amount of irradiance it receives.
Figure 5 illustrates the variation of solar irradiance throughout the day, showing both direct and diffuse components. The solar data are some of the major inputs for an energy yield evaluation. The solar irradiance during the day is composed of direct and diffused irradiance, and its highest value is during midday time with the solar energy of a certain day. The analysis is generated by PVsyst and based on weather records, including temperature and humidity, at the selected locations. Figure 6 represents the annual solar horizon profile for Mansoura city. The accessible solar energy is depicted within the horizon boundary. Two slanted (oblique) blue lines appearing on either side of Fig. 6 represent the sunrise (left) and sunset (right) periods. During these times, due to the panel installation angle (southward and zero azimuth angle for the chosen site: Mansoura), sunlight strikes the rear side of the modules, resulting in zero energy generation³⁶. Although shading losses from nearby and distant objects can range from 1% to 40%, they are not considered here as the system is installed on a building rooftop.
Functionality of PVsyst to design stand-alone system.
Irradiation components for Mansoura-one day.
Sun paths height/azimuth plot for chosen site within PVsyst..
The total number of operating hours is assumed to be 5 hrs, where the peak power rating of the panel is considered to be 330 W. The operating factor is taken to be 0.75, and the peak equivalent is 0.88; i.e., sunlight available in a day is chosen to be only 8 hrs. Theoretical design of the solar system is done in the following few steps:
Load calculation: The average daily load consumption required for the Lab and its office and equipment operations is outlined in Table 5 and depicted in Fig. 7.
Battery specification: The specifications for the battery set used in the design of the system are detailed in Table 6.
Array (module): The specifications for the PV modules used in the system design are provided in Table 7.
Charge controllers: The universal controller 50 A MPPT Converter—built into the inverter-of 5 kW and 48 V—is used to design the stand-alone system having maximum charging and minimum discharging current, i.e., 50 A to 10 A.
Load profile of Solar Energy Lab (total daily energy = 14.14 kWh, monthly energy = 424,4 kWh).
Calculations for the entire load of the Lab are as follows:
Total PV power calculation: Since the modules are connected in series and parallel, the total output power of the array is calculated by using the following formula: Total power (W) = number of series modules (times) number of parallel strings (times) module power (W). Where the number of series modules = 2, the number of parallel strings (available at the Lab) = 4, and the module maximum power = 330 W, then the total power = 2 (times) 4 (times) 330 = 2640 W.
Daily energy production of the array: The energy produced by the array per day is calculated based on the total power of the array and the average daily solar irradiance hours at the selected location. where the daily energy production (Wh) = total power (W) (times) average daily solar irradiance hours. where total power = 2640 W and average daily solar irradiance = 5 hrs/day. Then, the daily energy production = 2640 (times) 5 = 13200 Wh/day = 13.20 kWh/day.
Battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh): The battery capacity, measured in Wh, is determined by converting ampere-hours (Ah) to watt-hours. This calculation serves to quantify the total energy storage capability of the battery as the following: Battery capacity (Wh) = battery capacity (Ah) (times) battery voltage (V), where battery capacity for one string (4 batteries in series) = 200 Ah. Battery capacity for three strings = 600 Ah, and battery voltage (4 batteries in series) = 48 V. Then, battery capacity = 600 (times) 48 = 28.80 kWh. The used battery characteristic is detailed in Fig. 8.
System Autonomy Calculation: Autonomy (days) = Battery capacity (Wh) / /average daily energy needs (Wh/day), where total battery capacity = 28.80 kWh and daily energy needs = 14.15 kWh. Then, autonomy =28.80/14.15 (approx) 2.04 days. This value determines how many days the system can operate using only the stored energy in the batteries, without any solar input. It’s a measure of how long the system can sustain the load during periods of no sunlight. Summary of the Results as following: Total power: 2640 W, daily energy production: 13200 Wh/day (or 13.20 kWh/day), battery capacity: 28800 Wh (or 28.80 kWh), and system autonomy: 2.04 days.
Battery block characteristics calculation by PVsyst.
Obiwulu et al.³⁷ use simulations in identifying optimal tilt angle and radiation levels. Other theoretical models have been proposed to assess tilt angle performance across different latitudes north or south of the Equator. In this study, the PV panel structure is a fixed tilted plane of tilt (31^o) and plane orientation azimuth (true south) (0^o) as shown in Fig. 9. The optimization is done for the whole year with respect to optimum loss of zero percent, and the energy collector on the plane is 2014 kWh/(hbox {m}^2).
Solar irradiance calculation for the chosen site by using PVsyst.
The reliability of meteorological data, module models, and manufacturing specifications is uncertain in photovoltaic energy production. Properly installed rooftop solar panels, tailored to specific energy demands, offer a pathway to energy self-sufficiency for residential or small industrial use. This research provides valuable insights for future off-grid system design and operation, focusing on factors that influence system efficiency, such as material technology, energy generation methods, and manufacturing processes. Module behavior plays a pivotal role in defining system losses during simulation. The following results depict the distribution of yearly incident irradiation on a global collection plane and present data regarding monthly energy production relative to the system’s capacity. The analysis demonstrates the correlation between energy output and system losses, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the energy production dynamics throughout the year. In this study, PVsyst is employed to simulate the system’s performance, incorporating models for all components of the system to address various sources of losses. In this work, the performance ratio (PR), as an On-site production assessment, is a useful graphical tool for the system to indicate the yearly yield of energy production. The PR is seasonally dependent and must be found on precise irradiance data. To normalize short-term variability, the weather-corrected performance Ratio developed by NREL and implemented in the IEC 61724-1 standard compensates for seasonal temperature impacts, but not for other weather impacts such as irradiance level, wind, and soiling. All the presented results are based on the simulation results for the proposed site. Figure 10 illustrates the monthly energy production data from the solar power system, factoring in energy losses during production.
Daily system output energy.
The analysis, which incorporates weather records such as temperature and humidity at the selected locations, is depicted in Fig. 11. This figure also displays the monthly energy generation and the associated losses, revealing that the photovoltaic system’s average daily energy output over the year is 5.48 kWh/(hbox {m}^2). The highest energy generation occurs between May and August. On average, 4.44 kWh/kWp/day is supplied to the user, while array and battery charging losses account for 0.64 kWh/kWp/day and 0.38 kWh/kWp/day, respectively. Table 8 provides a summary of the annual energy balance for the off-grid system, indicating that 4279.80 kWh is delivered to the user annually. The simulation consistently demonstrates stable performance ratios throughout the year, as shown in Fig. 11.
Graphical analysis of normalized energy distribution over the year.
The normalized energy and performance ratio is shown in Fig. 12. The normalized production and performance ratio for every month has been depicted. Whereas the performance ratio is 81%, in which the system is working in good condition. The normalized production gives the three important parameters: 1- Collection loss (PV-array losses) is 0.67 kWh/kWp/day. 2- System loss (inverter, …) is 0.38 kWh/kWp/day. 3- Produced useful energy (inverter output) is 4.44 KWh/KWp/day.
The analysis further reveals that the annual energy demand of the Solar Energy Lab is 4915.90 kWh, while the solar panels produce 4279.78 kWh, resulting in a power deficit due to various losses. The performance ratio (PR) and Solar Fraction (SF) of the system, as shown in Fig. 13, provide insights into system performance. The highest PR of 87.60% is recorded in January due to lower module temperatures, whereas the lowest PR of 75.34% occurs in June because of higher temperatures. The system achieves an annual average PR of 81%. Additionally, the solar fraction, which indicates the portion of energy needs met by solar energy, averages 87% annually, as detailed in Table 8.
The PR, defined as the ratio of final system yield ((Y_{f})) to reference yield ((Y_{r})), is thoroughly explained in³⁸. The software comprehensively analyzes all system loss factors during simulation, making it a critical tool for this study.
Monthly normalized productions with losses.
Performance ratio and solar fraction.
Figure 14 with the distinct types of field losses within stand-alone photovoltaic systems step by step are illustrated in Fig. 14. The effective irradiation on collectors in this system is 1902 kWh/(hbox {m}^2) (with 8.60% global and incident irradiation in the collector plane) with the efficiency of 19.57%. In which the 1843 kWh/(hbox {m}^2) is falling in the chosen site to the system during one year. Due to array incidence loss and incidence angle modifier, incidence angle modifier (IAM) factor and soiling loss factor. Finally, 5025 kWh for array nominal energy at STC, and the rest of the energy is lost due to light-induced degradation (LID), mismatch loss, inverter loss during operation, and Ohmic loss. Yielding an energy need of the user (load) of approximately 4917 kWh.
Arrow loss analysis of the proposed system.
Possible causes include undersized system or battery capacity, inaccurate and variable load profiles, high system losses due to the nature of the devices at the educational Lab, suboptimal issues, or unsuitable climate data, especially in this period. Further optimization will be addressed in future work.
Additional Insights: While the simulation results indicate promising energy outputs, there remains a shortfall in the energy available for user consumption due to inherent system losses. This highlights the importance of optimizing both array efficiency and energy storage solutions, especially in off-grid systems. In array voltage sizing, there are few conditions, such as the array maximum operating voltage must be below the maximum inverter operating voltage at the MPPT range. Also, the maximum array absolute voltage should not be more than the maximum system voltage. The V−I characteristics of PV systems with different losses is shown in Fig. 15.
I–V curves with different losses for installed PV array.
Daily energy and power available on inverter side of proposed stand-alone PV system.
Variations in global irradiance significantly influence the performance of the solar system. As a result, the array power is shown in Fig. 16. Figure 18 illustrates the global irradiance distribution that resides on the collector plane of the 5 kW solar system, which is installed at Mansoura Solar Energy Lab. The hottest month in Mansoura is August, with an average temperature of the solar cells of approximately 65 (^o)C. The impact of the temperatures of the array throughout the year is shown in Fig. 17.
High temperatures are expected to significantly affect the open-circuit voltage, thereby reducing the output power of the array. In the PVsyst model, no losses occurred when horizontal irradiation was converted to global irradiation incidence. However, temperature derating, driven by hot and sunny conditions, resulted in a 5.60% loss. Additionally, the system experienced a 5.30% loss due to the converter, a 3% reduction from battery roundtrip inefficiency, and 13% of missing energy due to the probability of loss of load.
The system is designed as an off-grid solution, allowing it to operate independently from the main power grid. The solar panels generate energy based on available sunlight, and while this energy is stored for use, the output can fluctuate depending on irradiance levels. Since solar generation is inherently variable and daily production cannot be precisely predicted, the system is equipped to manage these fluctuations. Figure 19 shows the average state of battery bank charging of 40%, and this is compatible with the above result for the design of the proposed system.
Array temperature vs. effective irradiance.
Incident irradiation distribution.
State of charge daily distribution.
For 2.40 kWp, the required PLOL is found to be equal to 5%; the array detailed sizing tool shows the loss of load probability (PLOL) as a function of the installed array power as illustrated in Fig. 20. Figure 21 illustrates that the cumulative global incident irradiance on the collector plane decreases as the global incident irradiance increases. When the global incident irradiance reaches its peak value of 1000 W/(hbox {m}^2), the cumulative irradiance approaches nearly zero.
Solar fraction as function of output of installed PV array.
Incident irradiance tail distribution of proposed stand-alone PV system.
The analyzed location shows high solar energy potential. It is ideal for implementing a photovoltaic system. PVsyst software can optimize the system design by adjusting layout, orientation, and capacity based on available solar resources. The solar irradiance data highlights stable energy conditions, enabling efficient energy production. PVsyst allows fine-tuning parameters like tilt angles and panel orientation to enhance output. This approach ensures high efficiency and promotes sustainable solar energy use. A prototype system is built and tested in real-time conditions, with power generation monitored using WatchPower software. The loads supplied by the stand-alone system at the Lab are the same as indicated by the Table 5. The experimental setup system at the Lab is shown in Fig. 22 which comprises the arrays, inverter, a battery package, connection boxes, PC-based Watchpower, and the Solar Energy Lab load. The inverter is supplied with its own built-in MPPT. The tilt angle of the photovoltaic arrays is set to align with the latitude (31^o) to optimize solar energy capture for the chosen site: Mansoura.
Block diagram of experimental setup of proposed stand-alone PV system.
The received data from the inverter is analyzed by the WatchPower over the USB communication and employed for the research and the educational purposes. WatchPower aids in continuous data collection and optimization. The data confirms the consistent performance and peak load management. Combining the analysis performed with the PVsyst simulations supports the tailored design for local conditions. The pyranometer solar irradiance meter (SPM-1116SD) is employed to measure and record the solar irradiance intensity with an accuracy of (±10 W/m²). Figure 23 represents the natural stochastic solar irradiance during a moderately cloudy day in the summer: August. Besides, the measured solar power is more than 800 W under a partially cloudy day during midday in August on the inclined panel. The reading of power over three months is analyzed in the following section. The figures show only the daytime in which the system generates the power. The night intervals were deleted from all figures for simplification reasons.
Experimental validation for solar validation (August measurement).
The data presented in Fig. 24 indicates the energy output and performance of the photovoltaic system in July. The reading provides an overview of the photovoltaic system’s performance, highlighting key metrics such as average and maximum output power, as well as total energy generated. The average output power ((P_{pvavg})) is approximately 675.47 W, indicating steady performance, while the system reached a maximum output ((P_{pvmax})) of 2113 W during peak conditions. The total energy produced for the month of July ((P_{energy})) is 1.4962 (times) (10^5) Wh, demonstrating overall efficiency. These values suggest that the system performed reliably, with consistent energy generation and the capacity to handle peak energy demands effectively as indicated in Table 10. The August reading, which is presented in Fig. 25 represents key insights into the photovoltaic system’s performance, with slightly higher values compared to that of July. The average output power ((P_{pvavg})) is approximately 727.63 W, reflecting an improvement in the system’s overall efficiency. The maximum output power ((P_{pvmax})) reached 2317 W, indicating robust performance during peak conditions. Additionally, the total energy generated for the month ((P_{energy})) amounted to 1.7359 (times) (10^5) Wh, showcasing a higher cumulative output compared to the previous month. Overall, the system demonstrated enhanced energy production, maintaining consistent reliability while effectively managing peak power demands in August.
July readings showing daily PV output power (blue) and inverter output voltage (magenta). Average PV power for July was 675.47 W, with a maximum of 2113 W and total energy of 14.962 kWh.
August readings showing daily PV output power (blue) and inverter output voltage (magenta). Average PV power for August was 727.63 W, with a maximum of 2317 W and total energy of 17.359 kWh.
Figure 26 represents September reading. The photovoltaic system’s performance slightly decreased compared to August. The average output power ((P_{pvavg})) is 678.28 W, indicating a modest drop in efficiency. The maximum output power ((P_{pvmax})) reached 1969 W, reflecting a reduction in peak performance compared to the previous month. The total energy generated for September ((P_{energy})) is approximately 1.5617 (times) (10^4) Wh, which is also lower than in August. Overall, the system maintained reliable energy generation but experienced a slight decline in both average and maximum output power during September. The values of power decreased due to the cloudy weather as expected before.
September readings showing daily PV output power (blue) and inverter output voltage (magenta). Average PV power for September was 678.28 W, with a maximum of 1969 W and total energy of 15.617 kWh.
In modern engineering, economic and environmental evaluations are fundamental aspects of designing efficient and high-performance systems. Economic considerations have become a critical component of nearly every research effort.
There are many methods by which the cost of electricity generation can be calculated. One of the most commonly utilized methods is the so-called levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), average lifetime levelized generation cost (ALLGC), and levelized cost of generation (LCG)⁵. One of the most effective tools for evaluating the economic performance of various power generation systems is LCOE^11,39. LCOE provides a comprehensive measure of the cost of electricity by dividing the total lifetime costs—including installation ((C_{text {I}})) and maintenance ((C_{text {M}}))—by the total energy produced over the system’s lifespan, while accounting for energy production degradation ((d)), as given by equation (6).
where:
(C_{text {In}}): Investment cost in year, (n)
(C_{text {Mn}}): Maintenance cost in year, (n)
(E_0): energy produced in the first year (kWh),
(d): annual degradation rate (e.g., 0.005 for 0.5%),
(i): discount rate,
(N): number of years (project/system lifetime: 25 years).
To assess the economic feasibility of a 5 kW stand-alone system, the following procedures can be applied, assuming a lifetime of 25 years and an annual degradation rate of 0.5%. The financial cost parameters considered in the economic evaluation are presented in Table 9, including the installation and maintenance expenditure for the proposed system throughout its lifetime.
By applying 0.5% annual degradation over 25 years, the total energy generated over the lifetime becomes:
where: (E_{text {total}}) is the total energy produced over the lifetime (kWh). The produced energy in the first year is about 4,418.01 kWh; then, the system is expected to generate 100,470 kWh over its lifetime, considering the degradation rate of 0.5% and neglecting the discount rate; i.
Since the system was installed at the Solar Energy Lab, the operation and maintenance costs are not counted and maintained by the Lab. The battery replacement will be every 7 years, so 3 times in 25 years (original batteries replaced twice). The battery’s future replacement costs are about $1,980 (times) 2 = $3,960. So, the total costs = initial ($4,680) + replacements ($3,960) = $8,640.
The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) is calculated as follows:
The calculations revealed that the system achieved an LCOE of 0.082 $/kWh, which can be decreased by optimizing the installed system and time schedule of operating hours at the Solar Energy Lab at Mansoura University.
The transition to renewable energy sources (RESs) is essential to rescue the world from the negative effects of climate change, which is mainly due to (CO_{2}) and particulate emissions. The photovoltaic systems offer a pollution-free source of power by reducing harmful emissions in electricity production. However, since they are quite inefficient, they require large surfaces in order to meet energy demands. While PV systems reduce emissions during operation, their manufacture and disposal currently emit greenhouse gases.
The carbon balance assessment for the photovoltaic system is computed based on Life Cycle Emissions (LCE), the quantity of (CO_{2}) emissions by every component or energy output over its entire life cycle—from production, transportation, and installation to operation, maintenance, and disposal. The emission balance for an off-grid system installed at the Solar Energy Lab at Mansoura University, which is expected to produce approximately 4.42 MWh of electricity per year over a 25 years lifetime, accounting for a 0.5% annual degradation in performance. The system will replace an estimated 55.24 tons of (CO_{2}) that would have otherwise been generated by the local grid, which emits 500 (gCO_{2}) per kWh released to the atmosphere⁴⁰.
This study presents a comprehensive design, simulation, and experimental validation of a stand-alone PV system for the Solar Energy Lab at Mansoura University. The proposed PV system, with a capacity of 2.64 kWp optimized using PVsyst software, demonstrates high efficiency in meeting an annual load demand of 4,279.78 kWh. Simulation results indicate an annual energy yield of 4,418.01 kWh, with a performance ratio (PR) of 81% and a solar fraction of 87%, confirming the system’s robust design. Economically, the system achieves a competitive levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 0.082$ per kWh over its lifetime, while also contributing to environmental sustainability by offsetting an estimated 55.24 tons of (CO_{2}) emissions compared to conventional grid supply. A critical contribution of this work is the experimental validation of the simulated performance. Over three months monitoring period, the system exhibited stable operation, generating between 149.6 and 173.6 kWh per month, with peak power outputs reaching 2.32 kW and an average daily power of 0.68 kW. To further enhance system efficiency and applicability, future research will focus on expanding PVsyst simulations with dynamic weather forecasting to improve energy yield predictions, conducting a detailed cost analysis of individual system components to refine economic feasibility assessments, and exploring hybrid configurations to enhance reliability for off-grid applications.
The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB).
Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, 35516, Mansoura, Egypt
Ahmed Mashaly, Mohamed Elmadawy, Mohamed Elgohary & Ahmed SHAHIN
Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura National University, Dakahlia, Egypt
Ahmed Mashaly & Mohamed Elmadawy
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Conception or design of the work: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (25%/ 25%/ 25%/25%). Data collection and tools Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (20%/ 30%/20%/ 30%). Data analysis and interpretation: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (20%/25%/25%/ 30%). Methodology: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (30%/ 20/20%/ 30%). Project administration: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (20%/ 30%/ 20%/ 30%). Software: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (20%/ 25%/25%/ 30%). Drafting the article: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (25%/ 20%/20%/ 35%). Critical revision of the article: Ahmed Shahin, Mohamed Elgohary, Mohamed Elmadawy, Ahmed Mashaly (20%/25%/ 25%/ 30%)
Correspondence to Mohamed Elmadawy.
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Mashaly, A., Elmadawy, M., Elgohary, M. et al. Novel and cost-efficient design of stand-alone PV system with simulation using PVsyst and experimental validation. Sci Rep 15, 43383 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-28401-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-28401-y
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Dutch-German quality assurance firm Sinovoltaics has released a free browser-based tool that generates project-specific lab testing strategies for utility-scale solar projects, sorting 19 lab tests by priority and attaching ISO 2859-1 sample sizes to each.
Image: Markus Spiske, Unsplash
Sinovoltaics has launched an online tool that generates project-specific PV module test plans based on site and technology inputs.
The PV Lab Test Advisor, available at labadvisor.sinovoltaics.com, takes seven project inputs – size and module power, climate zone, environmental conditions, cell technology, module configuration, and encapsulant type – and returns a prioritized list of recommended tests with sample sizes and suggested pass/fail criteria. Output is a downloadable PDF intended to be agreed with the supplier before the supply contract is signed.
The tool is designed to replace testing scopes copied from project to project regardless of climate, technology, or site conditions. Sinovoltaics said the difference between a generic and a calibrated test scope on a 200 MW project is typically a six-figure swing in lab spend, and said the swing in long-term performance risk is larger still.
“A 200 MW tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) project on the Vietnamese coast and a 50 MW PERC project in Finland face fundamentally different degradation risks,” said Arthur Claire, director of technology at Sinovoltaics. “IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 qualification testing is a necessary minimum, but it will not protect you against any raw material quality variation related to the specific bill of materials used to manufacture your modules, and it is not designed to predict 25 to 30 years of field performance under specific project conditions.”
The advisor scores tests against single-factor and multi-factor rules, the latter capturing compounded risk that no individual input would surface – such as large-format bifacial modules in coastal high-wind environments. Each recommendation carries a written justification keyed to the specific input combination. Sample sizes use ISO 2859-1 Special Inspection Levels rather than General Inspection Levels, which Sinovoltaics said would otherwise require 125 to 200 modules per lot. Pass/fail criteria are drawn from governing standards where they exist and from industry practice where they do not.
Sinovoltaics cited NREL research finding that UV exposure can cause non-recoverable degradation of 2.3% to 3.2% in TOPCon cells after a one-year equivalent UV dose – losses the company said are severe enough to exceed typical module warranty limits and largely invisible to existing qualification tests.
Claire said the current release does not yet take bill-of-materials inputs and works from project conditions rather than the specific bill of materials behind each module.
“It supplements IEC qualification testing, it does not replace it. The one limitation in the current release is that it does not yet take bill-of-materials (BOM) inputs,” he said. “It works from project conditions rather than the specific BOM behind each module. And as with any sampling-based approach, what comes out is a risk-calibrated recommendation. It is not a guarantee that every defect in a multi-hundred-megawatt shipment will be caught, and we would not want anyone using it as one.”
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