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With the rapidly growing interest in bifacial photovoltaics (PV), a worldwide map of their potential performance can help assess and accelerate the global deployment of this emerging technology. However, the existing literature only highlights optimized bifacial PV for a few geographic locations or develops worldwide performance maps for very specific configurations, such as the vertical installation. It is still difficult to translate these location- and configuration-specific conclusions to a general optimized performance of this technology. In this paper, we present a global study and optimization of bifacial solar modules using a rigorous and comprehensive modeling framework. Our results demonstrate that with a low albedo of 0.25, the bifacial gain of ground-mounted bifacial modules is less than 10% worldwide. However, increasing the albedo to 0.5 and elevating modules 1 m above the ground can boost the bifacial gain to 30%. Moreover, we derive a set of empirical design rules, which optimize bifacial solar modules across the world and provide the groundwork for rapid assessment of the location-specific performance. We find that ground-mounted, vertical, east-west-facing bifacial modules will outperform their south-north-facing, optimally tilted counterparts by up to 15% below the latitude of 30°, for an albedo of 0.5. The relative energy output is reversed in latitudes above 30°. A detailed and systematic comparison with data from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America validates the model presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) is considered a highly competitive technology supporting the transition towards a low-carbon energy system. However, increased shares of its deployment have caused a set of mainly regulatory and financial challenges which require solutions. This paper identifies key research challenges for the further development and deployment of Solar PV, aiming to bridge the gap between expressed market needs and scientific research inquiries. The findings revealed a heterogeneous landscape of Research Priorities and Research Needs focused around the issues of renewable energy sources' variability, the impacts of curtailment, material (re-)use and module efficiency, synergies with the cooling/heating sector, quality criteria and standardisation, as well as new support schemes and business models. These findings can be taken up by academic institutions or technology associations to shape further directions for research. Finally, a list of implications to guide potential end-users involved in the field of policy and practice is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Development of a spatio-temporal framework for residential PV power integration. • Assessment of the impact of battery storage and electric vehicles on PV integration. • Variations identified in self-consumption and avoided emissions among neighbourhoods. • PV integration policies should focus on areas with high PV potential and low demand. Abstract Cities have a significant potential to host residential photovoltaic systems (PV). The direct consumption of PV generated electricity reduces the need for electricity import, while excess PV electricity production can be stored for later usage or can be used directly to charge electric vehicles (EVs). In this way, more energy is locally consumed, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, and self-sufficiency of cities can be increased. In this paper, we present a spatio-temporal framework to evaluate the electricity demand that can be fulfilled by PV energy. We assess the impact of penetration of EVs and the influence of battery energy storage. We demonstrate the usefulness of this framework for 88 neighbourhoods in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands. Spatial mapping was used to identify areas with high potential for EVs and storage. Results shows that direct PV self-consumption ratios vary between 34% and 100%. When EVs charging is included in the neighbourhoods, then self-consumption is increased on average by 12%. Battery energy storage increases the self-consumption with an average of 25%. The self-sufficiencies due to direct PV energy consumption are between 6% and 40% in the neighbourhoods. These are decreased by EVs with an average of −0.6%, and increased by battery energy storage with an average of 14%. Avoided life cycle greenhouse gas emissions over a 30-year period are on average 12 tCO 2 -eq per address. The large variation in results between neighbourhoods indicates that area dependent investments and supporting policies could improve the PV power integration in cities. Our developed framework can be easily adapted and used for other cities. Moreover, our results are useful for local governments to guide and design effective policies to accelerate the transition to more sustainable cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India receives sun's energy over 300 days a year most of the time. About 5000 trillion kWh per year sun's energy is incident over India's land area. Theoretically, a small fraction of total incident solar energy can meet the entire country's power requirements. There are many government schemes to promote solar power generation. The government of India initiated solar PV/BIPV policies to encourage industries and individuals to use solar energy powered systems for electricity generations. This article provides an overview of the solar energy status and application of BIPV system in India. It includes an assessment of the region's solar energy potential and solar PV/BIPV installed capacity. This paper gives a brief description barriers and challenges facing solar BIPV development in India. This study also provides the solar PV/BIPV policies and recommendations with reference to the Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an exploratory analysis of microgeneration installer businesses in the UK during a period of intense change in policies supporting microgeneration from 2010 to 2012. The research examines the influence of installer businesses on rates of uptake and standards of installation, and the interplay between business practices and the policy environment. The research developed new detailed datasets through a nationwide survey, to which 388 installers responded, and follow-up interviews with 22 installers. Focusing on solar photovoltaics and air source heat pumps installed in households, the results show the fundamental dependence of installer businesses on government financial incentives and on the quality assurance scheme in operation. Market confidence was compromised by the sharp reduction in the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for residential solar PV in 2012 and long delays to the equivalent Renewable Heat Incentive for residential installations. Nevertheless, more modest FIT levels have reduced the risk of sub-optimal installations and inappropriate specification of microgeneration systems. The findings underline the need for consistent policy to allow installer businesses and their supply chains to develop and mature, and thus facilitate commercial deployment of microgeneration of high quality, raise its competiveness with incumbent forms of energy supply and contribute to decarbonisation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the reality of sustainable energy supply (SEPS) from renewable energy sources (RES) as a totally green strategy of electric energy production. The paper is based on the Advanced International Policies (AIP) scenario of the European Renewable Energy Council agency forecast by the year 2040, which foresees the share of 82% of RES, extended to 100% of RES. The key element that creates conditions for achieving this ambitious scenario is an innovative solution of the so-called solar hydroelectric power plant (SHE) which is basically combined photovoltaic (PV) power plant and pump storage hydro (PSH) which can provide continuous supply of electric power and energy to consumers. Therefore, SHE is presented in this paper as the main building element of the future SEPS. For covering unit consumption of electric energy of 1 GWh in a power system, the paper calculates unit values of the SHE system: 0.73 MW of PV generator; 4,545 m2 of PV generator; 0.36 hm3 of reservoir volume, 0.21 GWh of PSH energy and 0.24 MW of PSH. In the case of the power system in Croatia, which is rich in solar and hydroenergy and whose climate conditions are very similar to those in the European countries, it has been shown that implementation of the green strategy of energy balance fulfilling can be realized with present day technology. Precisely, this fact shows that further increase of efficiency of SHE and other RES and their combining into RES+PHS power plants, along with increase in the cost of classic power fuels and the growing needs for environment protection, the proposed solution of SEPS realization could be widely important and thus become a serious alternative to the existing energy strategies and a guideline to decision makers in many countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitigation of global energy demands and climate change are the most important factors in the modern days. Development and application of solar energy have been regarded by the government of India and common people, and they thought that solar photo voltaic energy can provide more energy in future compare to other renewable energies. In the last decade, solar photovoltaic energy research and development has supported by the central government and state governments. This paper discusses the progress of current solar photovoltaic energy in India. It highlights the renewable energy trend in India with major achievements, state wise analysis of solar parks and industrial applications. Finally, it discusses the Indian government policies and initiatives to promote solar energy in India. This review on solar photovoltaic energy will help decision makers and various stakeholders to understand the current status, barriers and challenges for better planning and management in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global energy demand and environmental concerns are the driving force for use of alternative, sustainable, and clean energy sources. Solar energy is the inexhaustible and CO 2 -emission-free energy source worldwide. The Sun provides 1.4×10 5 TW power as received on the surface of the Earth and about 3.6×10 4 TW of this power is usable. In 2012, world power consumption was 17 TW, which is less than 3.6×10 4 TW. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are the basic element for converting solar energy into electricity. PV cell technologies, energy conversion efficiency, economic analysis, energy policies, environmental impact, various applications, prospects, and progress have been comprehensively reviewed and presented in this paper. This work compiles the latest literature (i.e. journal articles, conference proceedings, and reports, among others) on PV power generation, economic analysis, environmental impact, and policies to increase public awareness. From the review, it was found that PV is an easy way to capture solar energy where PV based power generation has also rapidly increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, a number of jurisdictions have taken significant steps to encourage the diffusion of solar photovoltaic technology (PV). Supportive policy frameworks have been widely adopted, spurring deployment and driving down the cost of PV components. The increased competitiveness of this technology presents a promising opportunity for meeting energy needs in a low-carbon fashion. Indeed, a growing body of research suggests that PV could produce significant quantities of energy. However, the diffusion of PV in Canada has been comparatively slow and GHG emissions in this jurisdiction are on an upward trajectory. As a result, we explore the potential of PV in Canada in regards to: (1) the scale of possible contributions to energy supply and GHG abatement, and (2) the particular functional roles and niches this technology could occupy looking out to 2050. In doing so, this study reviews the current status of knowledge on PV potential in Canada and argues that estimates which revolve around technical parameters such as solar irradiance, module efficiency, and land area (and even those that include some reference to current prices), are limited in their ability to understand the place this technology might actually occupy in Canada in coming decades. While technical potential is an important consideration, the interrelated economic, socio-political, and environmental influences need to be taken into account. This paper discusses the nature of these influences and explores PV potential in the context of key features of possible low-carbon pathways for Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Successful technological innovation frameworks are based on synergistic packages of technology-push and demand-pull measures. As the massive deployment of premature renewable energy technologies risks becoming very expensive, the debate on the optimal trajectory of renewable technologies should explicitly consider the balance between deployment incentives and R&D efforts. This paper explores this balance regarding wind and PV technology support in Europe. Based on rather conservative estimates, we calculate future deployment costs and compare these figures to the current public investments in PV and wind R&D. We find that, today, for each Euro spent on R&D to develop future technologies, 35 to 41 Euros are spent on the deployment of existing technologies. Furthermore, private PV and wind technology companies tend to underinvest in R&D for various reasons. In an alternative scenario, we assess the optimal R&D efforts for the PV and wind sectors based on a 7% R&D-to-sales benchmark that is typical for engineering sectors. If public R&D efforts would increase according to this benchmark, and hence compensate for the private underinvestments in R&D, pull/push ratios between 6 and 8 could be achieved. This leads us to conclude that the current balance between deployment and R&D is far from optimal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Nigeria Power sector is on the precipice of financial and technical collapse. Recovering the financial deficit of over US$3.1 billion created within three years (ex-post reform), and the struggle to increase the grid power access above 4000 MW for about 200 Million people are some of the key burning issues in the sector. Given that about 87 million people do not have access to the grid in Nigeria, this paper proposes reverse auction market design for decentralized offgrid solar PV deployment as a potential solution for the Nigeria Power sector. First, it reviews reverse auctions in SSA, the key market design variables and the requirements for a successful solar auction plus storage technology design. Second, it argues that reverse auctions can be successfully run in Nigeria with well-designed market variables. Third, it provides the market design variables adaptable to the Nigeria case to achieve a successful auction run. Finally, it argues that these variables should be built on a foundation of a robust institutional and regulatory framework to be successful. This paper thus recommends designing reverse auctions for offgrid/minigrid solar PV plus storage technology as a potential solution to increase power access and to attract investment considering the financial and grid constraints in the Nigeria Power sector. Furthermore, it recommends that grants for offgrid electrification with Solar Home Systems for rural areas should be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic (PV) power is a new and green energy source. China has significant opportunities for solar energy utilization with its huge solar resource. The solar PV power in China has developed for 50 years, and experienced a rapid progress in the last 10 years. To address the needs of the fast growth of the PV power industry in China, it is critical to identify, analyze and understand the growth path and the characteristics of the industry. This paper summarizes the status of the solar energy resources and the development of the solar PV power industry in China, and puts forward the main factors that impacted the development of the industry. A study refers to the selected five main factors the factors are: technology research and development, industrial plans, laws and regulations, electricity price policies, and projects incentive policies. A multifaceted approach including literature survey, statistical data investigation, law review, and regulation and policy study are adopted to investigate these factors. Analysis of the typical events, the growth process and the characteristics of the five factors, allows the establishment of growth route models. The results can be a useful reference for the development of solar PV power industry in China and other countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper provides an overview of the trends of the Spanish solar PV feed-in tariff (FIT) and its design elements, identifies some implications for the effective and cost-efficient deployment of solar PV in Spain and infers some lessons which might be useful for the implementation of support for solar PV elsewhere. Our analysis is based on a throughout revision of the relevant legislation, official data on deployment and related expenditure, informal discussions with key stakeholders and written documents. Several key design elements within FITs that should be implemented and other elements that should be avoided in order to have an effective and cost-efficient promotion of solar PV are identified. All in all, the specific design elements to be included are clearly contingent upon the preferences and priorities of policymakers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper examines solar photovoltaic (PV) in Malaysia. First, it analyzes the current energy demand in Malaysia and discusses some of the national policies and the installations of solar PV in urban and rural areas in the country. Next, the general Feed-In Tariff (FiT) scheme is explained, indicating its potential as one of the investment options for Malaysians. Finally, the loan financing option for solar PV is presented, providing examples that have been implemented in other countries, as well as explaining the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS) for companies and the proposed soft loan scheme for individual households in Malaysia. It also analyses the impact of the proposed interest rate to household consumers in Malaysia, in terms of total profit, net present value and internal rate of return. It is found that the FiT scheme could potentially help in increasing renewable energy penetration, particularly for solar PV. To provide upfront capital for solar PV installation, it is shown that the GTFS is a good financial source for companies while for individual home owners, a soft loan facility from banking institutions is a feasible source if the interest rate is 5% or less. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Predicted to be the clean energy of tomorrow, solar energy has been in the forefront of energy development in many developed countries and a potential source of energy to developing countries like Malaysia. This paper presents Malaysia''s solar energy or solar photovoltaic developmental outlook. The study is done by first looking into the country''s energy policies related to solar energy. Key players in the solar energy development such as government institutions are introduced. Early solar energy programmes and a key project called Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic (MBIPV) as well as its successful initiatives will be presented. Measures which have taken by the government of Malaysia including attractive incentives to encourage solar photovoltaic development, the country''s potential in solar energy, foreign investments and future directions as well a feed-in tariff scheme will be presented in length to provide a broad spectrum of solar energy development in Malaysia. The outlook has been positive and the country is active in promoting solar as an alternative energy and is aware of benefits it will bring toward its economic development in the future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]