Alternative Energy White Papers

As DC-coupling grows in popularity, you will want to be sure to choose the right method for you next DC coupled Solar + Storage project. This white paper explains some factors to consider.

Drawing from learnings and data from over 3GW of installed autonomous docked drone capacity, this eBook provides a comprehensive summary of top use cases of autonomous drones, case studies with ROI, and the checklist for successful integration and operationalization.

The solar industry is primed for unprecedented growth, but many solar providers are being restricted by the lack of access to quality — comprehensive, accurate, and standardized — utility data. Discover how accurate utility data empowers you to: Attract customers using site-specific savings projections. Manage consumer expectations by right-sizing installations. Maintain satisfaction with consolidated and simplified billing.

In this white paper from Kiwa PVEL and Kiwa PI Berlin, we aim to provide the industry with guidance on module acceptance across Product Qualification Program (PQP) extended reliability testing, Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI), Batch Testing and Ongoing Reliability Monitoring (ORM). Kiwa PVEL and Kiwa PI Berlin’s review of recent module testing data and in-factory data discussed in this report shows improvements in the industry which allow buyers to “raise the bar” on quality requirements within their agreements. These key aspects of managing quality are further defined in Kiwa’s PV Module Procurement Best Practices.

Using drones to collect imagery data has gained widespread traction as an efficient, scalable, and safe method of collecting data, and in-house drone teams improve mobilization flexibility, better equip technicians, and reduce costs.

A new Nextracker white paper, “Enhancing Energy Yields with TrueCapture: Using Nextracker’s Proven Intelligent Control Capabilities to Optimize Solar Project Financing and Plant Performance,” provides third-party, independent engineer-validated data from three solar power plants in the U.S. and Mexico. Across the board, the case studies cited in the white paper show that TrueCapture’s advanced control algorithms’ ability to mitigate inter-row shading and adjust for diffuse light conditions on a variety of site conditions have increased energy output by at least 2%--the equivalent of hundreds of megawatt-hours or more annually. These kinds of verifiable, field-proven results have led numerous asset owners and developers to add TrueCapture to both their new projects and existing fleets.

Ensuring safety and security for the next era of the solar PV rollout. You're not just investing in solar energy; you're investing in the future of your business. The European C&I solar market has established itself as a global leader, but there's a factor that often gets overlooked: Safety. At Solnet Group, we believe safety is not a mere checkbox—it's the cornerstone of a profitable and sustainable solar investment. Our latest white paper unpacks the latest advancements in safety and examines how a safer solar system can greatly improve the economic outlook of your investment. If you are in charge of commercial roof space in Europe, and are ready to leverage it to drive down costs for your business, this white paper is for you.

A reliable solar tracker system should not only perform well on challenging sites, but also weather storms and strong winds. High wind events can damage assets on solar tracker sites—resulting in higher remedial costs and increased downtime. Thus, the ideal tracker solution should be aerodynamically stable during bad weather to mitigate risks and maximize returns. But designing trackers for strong winds presents its own challenges. Due to the complex characteristics of wind turbulence on solar arrays, traditional wind tests based on standard building codes often fail to capture the nuances of how different scenarios might affect a tracker’s design. A comprehensive approach—one that not only accounts for a specific tracker design, but also tests for various possibilities that may arise from different wind loading and aerodynamic scenarios—is key to ensuring the success and longevity of your tracker project.

When it comes to developing PV sites in the Midwest, every great opportunity comes with an equal number of challenges. Developers typically face two major setbacks in this region: heavy snow loads and frost heave. Failing to plan for these harsh weather challenges could lead to disastrous consequences such as increased remedial costs, asset downtime, and loss of power purchase agreement (PPA) competitiveness. What makes the Midwest so challenging is its variability. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the region as sites in Ohio vs. Michigan or even Kansas vs. Minnesota can be drastically different. For this reason alone, it is important to find a partner that has a broad portfolio and can adapt to site-specific concerns.