US scientists claim clear-sky irradiance model provides better results for module testing
Researchers at the American Institute of Physics have used the clear-sky irradiance model developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to measure the degradation rates of solar panels at a testing field in Germany over five years. The scientists say the model, when combined with real-world data, offers an efficient tool to evaluate the aging of PV technology.
REIL tenders 1.3 million quantities of multicrystalline silicon solar cells
Only Indian manufacturers are eligible to bid for supply of 4.5W, 4.6W and 4.67W multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Quantities to be supplied are 500,000, 500,000 and 300,000, respectively. Bidding closes on January 6.
Vikram Solar supplies modules for 300 solar pumps across West Bengal and Odisha
The government’s KUSUM scheme helps farmers install standalone solar pumps with a capacity of up to 7.5 hp. There is also support to make grid connected pumps of the same size solar powered. A PV capacity of up to twice the pump capacity in kW is allowed under the scheme.
Azure Power secures up to 4 GW of solar project capacity under manufacturing-linked tender
The NYSE-listed developer will set up a 500 MW cell and module production line as its manufacturing commitment under the SECI tender. The tender aimed to secure 2 GW of new annual manufacturing capacity by offering 7 GW of power project permits. Azure has an agreement with an Indian solar panel manufacturer to jointly establish the new production facilities with the developer holding a majority stake in the enterprise.
Central Electronics Ltd tenders for supply of multicrystalline solar cells
Bids are invited for supply of 5-busbar cells with an efficiency of minimum 19.4%. A total of one million quantities are to be supplied. Bidding closes on December 26.
EESL tenders for 100 MWp solar modules
Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, under the Ministry of Power, intends to procure an aggregate 100 MWp quantity of solar modules rated 325 Wp or above for the state of Maharashtra. Bidding closes on December 27.
BHEL seeks 231,200 quantities of minimum 330W solar modules
Global bids are invited for manufacturing and supply of multicrystalline PV modules with peak power output of minimum 330 Wp, for the state-owned engineering major’s projects in Gujarat. Bidding closes on December 11.
Assessing metal leaching from PV modules dumped in landfill
An Indian Institute of Technology research team analyzed around 300 studies about PV panel waste containing carcinogenic metals. The researchers said solar module recycling is not economically profitable and policy support is necessary to avoid panels being dumped in landfill.
Websol Energy mulling solar manufacturing capacity expansion
The crystalline solar cells and modules manufacturer—which has 200 MW of cell line and 250 MW of module line capacity—has secured orders equal to full production capacity for both cells and modules till March 2020.
The long read: Model progress
While it has often been referred to as “the future of PV” in recent years, discussions surrounding bifacial technology are now very much in the present. Modules are beginning to roll off production lines in significant numbers, and industry players are boasting of gigawatts of bifacial projects that are already installed or in the late stages of development. But it’s still early days for the technology, and there are questions to answer for it to achieve its full potential. pv magazine investigates the modeling and optimization of bifacial PV’s performance.
