Battery Maintenance for Improved Longevity of Solar Systems

Written by Kalyan Jana | 17 June 2013

Regular battery maintenance in battery-based renewable energy (RE) systems is critical to achieving maximum system performance.  Batteries used in solar and other renewable energy systems should be engineered for “deep cycle” use -- meaning the battery’s construction is optimized for the deep discharge and recharge cycles characteristic of RE systems.

CPV Enters the Utility-Scale Energy Market

Written by Hansjoerg Lerchenmueller | 27 May 2013

Concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) technology entered the market with the ambitious promise to provide the world with clean, sustainable electricity on a large scale. As a first step, CPV manufacturers established a niche within the fast-growing PV industry dominated by mass-produced silicon PV by installing mid-sized CPV power plants ranging up to a few megawatts (MW) and gaining important field experience. Now the turning point for CPV has come. The technology is ready for, and indeed has begun,  utility-scale deployment.

Reducing Toxins in PV Manufacturing

Written by Anne Fischer | 20 May 2013

Solar power is considered green power, and it is becoming greener as companies to reducing hazards and environmental contaminants in the manufacturing process through proper handling, management and disposal. And through proper recycling methods, many of the materials will be reused, finding new life in new products.

Electric Vehicles: Charged by the sun

Written by Anne Fischer | 06 May 2013

Envision Solar Tree® structure with a six-car Bosch charging station is installed at General Motors. Photo courtesy of Envision SolarPlug-in electric vehicles (PEV) store all their energy in batteries, rather than running on gasoline. This is great for the environment in terms of less carbon being spewed into the atmosphere from their exhaust pipes, but vehicle operators will still be dependent on fossil fuels to charge the vehicles unless solar (or other renewable source) is attached to the charging device.

Trends in Solar PV Coatings

Written by Andrew Williams | 22 April 2013

One of the key technological challenges for the solar industry is the need to improve solar cell efficiency.  However, any sunlight that is reflected off of a solar module does not reach the solar cells and therefore does not contribute to energy output.  Up to 4% of light is reflected on an untreated glass cover - and the bottom line is that this light is lost and cannot be converted into electrical energy.

Cost Benefits of Quality Waterproofing Solar Rooftops

Written by Jeff Spies | 15 April 2013

As the solar industry continues the push to reduce “cost per watt” it is imperative to remember the more important metric is “lowest cost per kWh” over the life of the system.

For solar rooftop installations, the waterproofing system you choose can have a dramatic impact on the ownership cost of a PV system. Unfortunately, many underestimate the long term impacts of this critical decision. If you do it right, you can have over 30 years of trouble-free service from your array and roof. Do it wrong, and the lifetime cost of the system jumps 25 to 50% or even more.

Materials Matter in Reducing Risk in Solar Installations

Written by Conrad Burke | 08 April 2013

Solar continues to make significant inroads as a key element of the world’s overall energy mix; the expected annual growth rate is 20% over the next several years.

Maintaining this rate of growth depends on solar being an attractive investment for owners and investors.  System reliability and viability can greatly impact investment returns, and therefore become key in reducing risk.

PV Recycling: Update on legal and technology issues

Written by Andreas Breyer | 18 March 2013

Recycling of end-of-life PV modules is not an extremely popular topic in the current economic difficult times for the PV industry. However, legislation in Europe creates a pressure to act.