Is vertical solar better than the traditional installations we are so used to?

Researchers at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) have shed light on a fascinating discovery – vertical PV systems outperform their horizontal counterparts due to significantly lower operating temperatures.

This groundbreaking research reveals that vertical installations boast a much higher heat transfer coefficient than horizontal arrays, resulting in unexpected yield gains. The study, "Thermal model in digital twin of vertical PV system helps to explain unexpected yield gains," explains that voltage in solar cells is influenced by both light intensity and temperature. In vertical systems, the operating temperature remains lower, allowing the voltage increase and decrease to balance effectively, especially under high irradiance conditions. This innovative finding indicates a potential 2-3% increase in annual electricity yield in regions with higher irradiance.

Vertical PV installations are on the rise and will be paving the way for more efficient and sustainable energy generation.

At WeDoSolar we always get the question about the efficiency of our panels while being fixed vertically instead of the traditional horizontal installation and I have to say that the power produced by our systems has a much more stable curve of energy production than a normal rooftop solar.

Of course during the summer we do loose a few % because our panels are fixed vertically but during the winter months we gain more production due to the sun being lowed and hitting the panels perfectly. This means that the production curve is much more even throughout the year.

It's time to say NO TO WAR:

I rarely write about other topics but today I would like to highlight the increasing complexities like the Israel-Hamas war, as well as the ongoing war in the Ukraine. It is my second time experiencing war with relatives and loved ones being effected in both countries. As someone born in Ukraine, it's deeply painful for me to witness the harsh realities of today's world. My heart is broken for all the lives lost in these tragic events, and it's essential to address these issues openly and honestly. Silence is not an option when so many innocent people are suffering.

Recent reports indicate that these devastating conflicts have resulted in the destruction of solar parks, leaving hospitals, community spaces and cities without power. It is disheartening to see how the progress we've made in adopting renewable energy sources can be abruptly reversed in such circumstances.

Furthermore, it's disheartening to witness the fractures in our humanity. With so many lives lost in ongoing conflicts, our climate goals are being sidelined when they should be at the forefront of our survival priorities. In this day and age, the existence of terrorists and the persistence of war should not exist as we should be addressing much larger, pressing issues. It's crucial to recognise that war is not the solution, and we must strive for peaceful resolutions to create a more sustainable and harmonious world.

Also distressing is @Travis Hoium’s report on @The Motley Fool, which shares that solar equities have decimated in value . However, Hoium also echoes that some stocks will likely recover in the second half of 2024, especially as economies of scale make it possible to reduce costs and increase affordability in the industry. The affordability issue will surely be on the agenda for COP28, together with @Deutsche Welle’s report that says that according to the EU’s climate monitor, 2023 is slated to be the warmest year in 125,000 years .

I am very hopeful for COP28, because as @Roberto Bocca from the @World Economic Forum states, it will be the arena for a solid commitment from global leaders to triple our renewable capacity and to accelerate this transition. Yes, we need considerable reform for this to happen, but I am confident that more leaders are realizing that renewable energy is the way, and it is a force that cannot be stopped.?

Innovation:

1. India is making strides to become a global powerhouse in terms of solar energy, and proof of that is that it has recently signed a $200 million partnership with the @World Bank , which aims to increase the penetration of renewable energy in Himachal Pradesh. It is noteworthy to say that Himachal Pradesh has the goal of becoming a Green State–which means being 100% powered by green energy–by 2030. This is part of a grander plan outlined by @Invest India, which aims to make the nation a net zero carbon country by 2070 and is heavily disrupting every industry in India, including agriculture. For example, agriculture diesel pumps are being replaced with solar agriculture water pumps, and decentralized solar power plants are being set up to increase capacity.?This is very encouraging, because India is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, and it is also the most populous country in the world , so having renewables succeed there can create a positive ripple effect that can reverberate across other emerging markets.?2. Groundbreaking discoveries are also happening in other corners of the globe, for example, in Chile, @Tina Casey reports for @CleanTechnica that new bifacial solar panels could help enhance the adoption of solar energy among farmers, because they could help them conserve water and soil , reducing their overall expenditures. As I mentioned earlier, innovations like this one that help increase affordability are very important, because, at the end of the day, we need the whole world to transition seamlessly. In line with this, @Stefano De Marzo reported for @EU-Startups that Ensol, a Paris-based startup that specializes in photovoltaic equipment, has raised a fresh €3 million round of funding from @Otium Capital to integrate the entire solar production chain. Ensol’s mission is to make solar energy self-supply accessible to everybody.?

Great news to hear, considering the liquidity crunch that the venture markets are facing, so it is outstanding to see that there are still investors willing to take a chance on those inventions that have the power to change the world.

International News:

• The Netherlands and Nigeria are joining forces to introduce Solar Marketplace, an initiative that aims to revolutionize Nigeria’s solar energy sector by connecting business opportunities and stakeholders
• Panel installations keep growing in rural England , as more farmers realize the benefits of solar energy
• The University of Virginia is installing solar panels on two more buildings , increasing its already substantial solar generation
• Blockchain, one of the most disruptive technologies, could also transform the solar industry for the better , according to TechRound
• Southeast Asia is eager to increase its investment in renewables and capitalize on its natural advantages to generate offshore wind, solar, and tidal energy
• Climate change-related organizations are getting more funding, but at the expense of environmental programs previously funded by the Natural Resources Defense Council
• Kazakhstan has reaffirmed its big ambitions to develop low-carbon technologies and reach carbon neutrality by 2060

I understand that, whenever we have bad news, it can be easy to lose motivation or to believe that we are not making progress. However, as I said initially, we will certainly face more challenges, because we are undoing decades of poor decisions. This is why the work we do is so important, and I would like to reinforce that, in this transition, we are all valuable stakeholders. Without collaboration, we will not survive. So, whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, corporate executive, public officer, or policymaker, your effort will help us turn the tide around, and overcome those obstacles that can seem insurmountable.?