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For utility-scale projects, LONGi offers the integrated AC-DC system Onebank 2.0

LONGi bets on integration with new storage range

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Portfolio One brings LONGi‘s modules and in-house 5S storage under a single architecture, tailored to utility-scale, commercial and off-grid use, with the cloud-based Oneos platform handling control and virtual power plant functions.

PPAs offer a means of advancing the energy transition without public subsidies

Croatia still lagging on PPAs as barriers persist

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A new report from the Croatian Renewable Energy Association maps the barriers holding back a market that has gained traction elsewhere in Europe, from regulatory complexity to the near-absence of municipal and community contracts.

Panel by panel toward energy security in the EU

Solar cuts EU gas bill by €20 billion during Middle East war

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The bloc avoided billions of cubic metres of imported gas over 137 days, according to SolarPower Europe, with solar supplying a quarter of the EU's electricity in June, its largest single power source.

David Niehaus (right) is an expert in commercial storage

Huawei FusionSolar: Luterra S2 residential storage with AI control

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PV Guided Tours: The new Luterra S2 is an all-in-one residential storage unit, installed in minutes, with AI-driven control. Huawei has also upgraded its commercial storage to deliver more kilowatt-hours. Watch the video for the full picture.

Intelligent electrification, combining solar, battery storage and AI, sits at the heart of this vision for industrial flexibility.

Industrial flexibility: a €300 billion opportunity for Europe

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A new whitepaper finds industrial flexibility could cut EU renewables curtailment by 61 percent and avoid 60 GW of peak capacity, while opening new revenue streams for energy-intensive sectors.

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What is photovoltaics?

Photovoltaics (PV) refers to the generation of electrical energy from sunlight. At the heart of this process are the solar-active semiconductors known as solar cells, which capture sunlight and convert it directly into electricity.

From a technical standpoint, a PV system or solar installation functions as a generator. Here, individual solar cells are combined into a solar module, which is protected from the elements. These modules are then assembled into a larger solar generator, which can be mounted on rooftopsfaçadesopen ground or specially designed structures. The electricity generated is direct current (DC), which is converted into alternating current (AC) by an inverter. This AC power can be used directly on site or fed into the public grid via the building’s connection. The electricity is typically supplied to the local utility or grid operator.

Larger PV systems installed on open land are often called solar parks. These feed power into the grid via dedicated transformers and switchgear. In many countries special Acts and regulations govern remuneration for solar power, whether via feed-in tariffs or market premiums for direct sales to third parties.

Self-consumption can be increased by using solar power for heating waterroom heating, air conditioning or refrigeration. Battery storage systems help by storing surplus solar electricity for later use. These so-called solar batteries improve system reliability, especially when solar output dips.

Not all incoming sunlight is converted into electricity. The conversion rate depends on the intensity and wavelength of the incoming light spectrum. This ratio between usable electrical output and the maximum available solar radiation is known as efficiency.

The performance of a solar generator or storage system is defined by its output. When multiplied by the number of sunshine hours, this gives the solar yield – the amount of electricity generated per day, month or year. In addition to charging and discharging power, solar batteries are also rated by their capacity, or the amount of energy they can store. Power is measured in kilowatts (kW) or megawatts (MW), while energy and yield are expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) or megawatt-hours (MWh). (HS)