Solar ... In the news

zeupater

Martyn1981 said:

zeupater said:

Hi

Basically ... what happens on a sunny day when you turn the inverter off? ... Voltage remains on the DC side, but no current flows from the panels, so no power available for the inverter to convert & match to mains AC ... similarly, what happens if you have more kWp of panels than the output of the inverter? ...there's high DC voltage, but the inverter limits the current .... less or no 'work' being done effectively means that there's less or no 'work' associated heat being produced - think of a standard battery, it has a voltage, but (all external conditions remaining equal) the temperature only changes when current flows (ie, 'work' being done) and  internal resistance creates heat.

These are effectively the two options for limiting the output ... switch off the inverter, or limit the performance of the inverter and that really comes down to how sophisticated the installation/inverter is. Many inverters have the ability to derate output (ramp down to a reduced performance level) according to monitored temperature or grid voltage conditions and some manufacturers leverage this feature to offer control equipment to communicate with the inverter's inbuilt logic to balance generation and/or divert to storage to limit export to the grid .... example  ... https://www.sma-uk.com/solar-systems/export-limitation.html ... 

HTH - Z

Hi Z. If I recall correctly the inverters de-rate by 'simply' moving away from the maximum power point, effectively choosing a less than ideal voltage(?) on the DC side, is that right? So as you say, the inverter doesn't 'see' the extra load, nor the extra heat, it just converts less DC into less AC as per the settings.

Hi

For more detailed explanation .... https://files.sma.de/downloads/Temp-Derating-TI-en-15.pdf 

HTH - Z

Coastalwatch

Encourging news on Solar installs for June and with optimism growing for the months ahead too.

Domestic solar PV installs jump 185% in June

Domestic solar PV installations more than doubled in June, jumping 185% on average compared to May.

This is according to statistics from the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). It also found that renewable energy installations in general saw a spike of 167% compared to the previous month.

In fact, installation numbers reached those seen before COVID-19 in the latter weeks of June.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS said: “It is reassuring that we are seeing a consistently improving picture. Having spoken to several contractors they tell me not only have they managed to hold on to some of the pre-lockdown work that they had secured, but that enquiries have improved dramatically too. We’ll continue to monitor the installation data closely.”

https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/domestic_solar_pv_installs_jump_185_in_june

Coastalwatch

It would appear that even subsidy free renewables cut the mustard for future energy generation. No information regarding any possible agricultural use to accompany it but I guess just letting wild flowers take hold will form a haven for bees and other pollinators. Wonder if any local beekeepers will see an opportunity!

Bouygues Energies & Services begins construction on UK’s largest subsidy-free site

Bouygues Energies & Services will build the largest subsidy-free solar farm in the UK for NextEnergy.

It has begun construction on two subsidy-free sites for the investor and asset manager, totalling 115MWp in Llanwern, Wales, and Strensham, England.

At 75MW, Llanwern is the largest solar site of its kind in the UK, and will consist of over 187,500 solar modules spanning 300 acres. Strensham will consist of 100,000 modules covering 125 acres.

Both will use 400W solar modules and central inverter solutions, and together will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 22,000 people.

https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/bouygues_energies_services_begins_construction_on_uks_largest_subsidy_free

Solarchaser

joefizz said:

Solarchaser said:

The argument has always been, fill your most efficient first, then if there's still excess, fill the next most efficient.

I can see why you dont see how.

It depends who is doing the arguing and what their experience is. You are well within your rights to argue that but from a network perspective the arguments are many fold.

You have one argument. Another argument is to fill your cheapest first. Another argument is to utilise older equipment first to get the most out of it. Another argument is to utilise the kit that cost the most to maximise its utilisation. Similarly if you have equipment that has considerable start up/ramp down costs as opposed to steady state you might favour that. Yet another argument is to use the kit/resources that are available within your own borders (if you have your own currency) so it doesnt cost you anything in terms of hard currency or external resources. Another argument is political (just look at Huawei), if your supplier is local and providing local jobs and money into the economy then regardless of how efficient it is, overall it will be a larger benefit to the economy/country/etc.

Its just not a simple matter of applying simple principles learned off the internet when there are often more complex reasons for doing things.
Efficiency is just one variable in the equation, not the sole variable which many internet posters would have you believe.

I'm sure that was meant to be informative of your vast insider information...

But really it just came across petty.

I did laugh out loud though, so there is that 😂😂

Pile_o_stone

https://solarearthusa.com/solar-farm-grid-power-at-night-how-do-they-do-that/

I can’t claim I understand how this works, but I’m hoping it’s of interest to people on here who may have a better understanding!!

Martyn1981

Interesting idea / encouragement from India to support solar investment and rollout:

India Set To Propose World Solar Bank & Mobilize $50 Billion In Solar Funding

In its ongoing efforts to strengthen international solar diplomacy, India is set to launch a major funding initiative.

According to media reports, India’s Ministry for New and Renewable Energy is likely to propose to the government to set up a World Solar Bank. The bank is likely to help member countries of the International Solar Alliance to access affordable funding for solar power projects.

The MNRE may propose that the World Solar Bank disburse $50 billion over the first ten years. The bank will require $10 billion in equity capital and $2 billion in paid-up capital. Upon receiving the first $6 billion of this funding the bank will be able to start its operations.

The timing of this proposal is crucial. China has taken the lead in setting up the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and New Development Bank. With increasing border tensions with China, India is looking to counter its neighbor’s international clout. The move is also in-sync with a growing trend of countries acting against China on multiple fronts.

And a really cool, impressive, whacky idea for a rollout solar roof, but it does raise one question with me:

More than just a typical roof that one would install on their homes, this roof is meant for parking lots and would keep vehicles cool while it’s hot out. The solar folding roof can come out when the sun is out, soak up the rays, then go to bed when it’s cloudy, nighttime, or raining. 

My bold ..... Why?

A Solar Roof That Only Comes Out When The Sun Is Shining

Coastalwatch

Came across this article on the BBC website and couldn't resist sharing on here. Certainly not an industry one would have immediately associated it with, but does just show solars value in favour of FF's in the remotest of places. Strange how seemingly under developed and war torn countries can see Solars benefits when many of our peers still object to its installation in their neighbourhoods here!

What the heroin industry can teach us about solar power

If you have ever doubted whether solar power can be a transformative technology, read on.

This is a story about how it has proved its worth in the toughest environment possible.

The market I'm talking about is perhaps the purest example of capitalism on the planet.

There are no subsidies here. Nobody is thinking about climate change - or any other ethical consideration, for that matter.

This is about small-scale entrepreneurs trying to make a profit.

It is the story of how Afghan opium growers have switched to solar power, and significantly increased the world supply of heroin.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-53450688

Coastalwatch

Good to read NG foresee increasing supplies of Solar are required for decarbonising the grid by including it in various forecasts. Lets hope it gives encouragement to other bodies as the way forward.

National Grid projects ‘significantly higher’ levels of solar as it upgrades FES to include net zero

National Grid ESO's projections for solar have increased as it expects there to be "significantly higher levels of solar generation" than it predicted in its 2019 Future Energy Scenarios (FES).

Solar capacity projections have increased significantly since 2019’s scenarios, supported by growth in flexible electricity demand for electrolysis, the ESO said. It outlined how at least 3GW of wind and 1.4GW of solar will need to be built every year from now until 2050, however it is expecting continued slow growth in the short term.

It’s a similar case for storage. Whilst growth of storage over the last year has slowed, there is still “a strong pipeline of new projects” with 164MW of new storage capacity – the majority of which is battery storage – connected to the distribution network this year.

https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/list

Pile_o_stone

Martyn1981 said:

Interesting idea / encouragement from India to support solar investment and rollout:

India Set To Propose World Solar Bank & Mobilize $50 Billion In Solar Funding

In its ongoing efforts to strengthen international solar diplomacy, India is set to launch a major funding initiative.

According to media reports, India’s Ministry for New and Renewable Energy is likely to propose to the government to set up a World Solar Bank. The bank is likely to help member countries of the International Solar Alliance to access affordable funding for solar power projects.

The MNRE may propose that the World Solar Bank disburse $50 billion over the first ten years. The bank will require $10 billion in equity capital and $2 billion in paid-up capital. Upon receiving the first $6 billion of this funding the bank will be able to start its operations.

The timing of this proposal is crucial. China has taken the lead in setting up the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and New Development Bank. With increasing border tensions with China, India is looking to counter its neighbor’s international clout. The move is also in-sync with a growing trend of countries acting against China on multiple fronts.

And a really cool, impressive, whacky idea for a rollout solar roof, but it does raise one question with me:

More than just a typical roof that one would install on their homes, this roof is meant for parking lots and would keep vehicles cool while it’s hot out. The solar folding roof can come out when the sun is out, soak up the rays, then go to bed when it’s cloudy, nighttime, or raining. 

My bold ..... Why?

A Solar Roof That Only Comes Out When The Sun Is Shining

I was pondering why they would have a retractable roof and I think it might be so they can retract it in winter so they don't have to worry about snow load. The roof looks relatively flimsy and so I don't think it'd take too much slow before it buckled. Maybe the cost of making the roof sturdy to hold snow isn't worth the expense as it wouldn't be generating electricity anyway in winter, especially when under a foot or more of snow?

Coastalwatch

EDF give up on building a Gas plant in favour of a Solar farm and intends doubling it's renewable capacity to 50GW in the next decade.

EDF Renewables’ first UK ground-mount solar site takes step forwards

EDF Renewables is set to develop a new 49.9MW solar farm next to the Sutton Bridge Power Station, in Lincolnshire.

It will be the company’s first ground-mounted solar site in the UK, with panels sitting across 139 hectares of land, arranged with 2-6 meters between each string of panels.

EDF Renewables was originally planning to build a gas fired power station on the site, but has said that after considering a number of options it was clear that a solar farm would be better suited.

Director of Solar and Onshore Wind Development, Mark Vyvyan-Robinson, said this was an “excellent site for a solar farm” thanks to the high levels of irradiation in the area and the nearby grid connection.

The Sutton Bridge Power Station project will contribute to the EDF Group’s plan to double its installed renewable energy capacity globally from 28GW to 50GW over the next decade.

https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/edf_renewables_first_uk_ground_mount_solar_site_takes_a_step_forwards