SMA to build 3.5 GW inverter factory in US
SMA Solar Technology AG says it will open a new 3.5 GW inverter factory at an unspecified location in the United States in 2025. The German manufacturer is currently talking with several US states and potential partners to select the best production site.
China’s Akcome to expand HJT solar cell capacity by 4.6 GW
Akcome Technology has expanded its heterojunction (HJT) solar cell capacity by an additional 4.6 GW, while China Energy Construction Corporation (CECC) has kicked off a 42 GW inverter tender for 2024.
Competition heats up
Oversupply is hitting some solar manufacturers hard but grid constraints and labor shortages are unlikely to hold the solar industry back in 2024.
China’s monocrystalline PERC cell prices extend losses while TOPCon cells hold steady
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Tata Power Solar to supply 152 MWp DCR modules for NTPC’s Nokh PV Park
Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd will supply 152 MWp of bifacial mono-PERC modules built with in-house developed cells for NTPC’s Nokh PV Park in Rajasthan.
Portable off-grid solar devices provide electricity, water filtration, hot water
Power Panel has developed a portable PV device to support humanitarian needs and off-grid living.
Cost of battery-based energy storage, INR 10.18/kWh, expected to reduce with VGF and PLI Schemes
Currently, the cost of battery-based energy storage in India is INR 10.18/kWh, as discovered in a SECI auction for 500 MW/1000 MWh BESS. The government has launched viability gap funding and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes to make battery storage affordable.
Gates-backed Fourth Power pilots thermal storage based on TPV cells
Fourth Power, backed by Bill Gates’ venture firm, has developed high-density thermal energy storage based on thermophotovoltaic cells. The tech, which is reportedly 10 times cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, is based on the U.S. company’s patented liquid metal heat transfer system.
Mitigating solar supply chain challenges
Large-scale solar projects in India are facing delays of at least two-three months. The primary reason is Indian companies’ dependency on Chinese products and equipment, which may result in shipping delays and cost fluctuations. But, many companies in India have their solar module stocks already ready and can provide their products at the same price as Chinese brands, Tanmoy Duari, CEO, AXITEC Energy India, tells pv magazine.
Bifacial PV on rooftops can provide energy yield gains of up to 22.6%
Scientists in Australia have combined Monte Carlo Ray Trace (MCRT) techniques and electrical modeling to assess the potential energy gains of bifacial rooftop PV systems compared to monofacial arrays. They found that rooftop reflectivity is a key factor in increasing a bifacial PV system performance, and that system and module design should also be carefully considered.
