As the demand for solar energy increases, solar plant design are becoming more challenging as the terrain becomes more complex. This will require PV plant design software that can perform more reliable modeling for accurate energy calculations. This makes DNV GL’s new software, SolarFarmer, intriguing. Launched at Intersolar Europe this year, theRead More

For our 2019 Module Buyer’s Guide (included in the Jan/Feb issue of Solar Builder magazine) we rounded up profiles on the newest modules on the market and also surveyed solar module manufacturers on the trends they are seeing and some of the new technology to watch. The seven insights areRead More

Bifacial PV modules have the potential to increase energy output by 5-10 percent annually in many locations. To achieve commercial viability, the products need to demonstrate their bankability. Common testing models, have begun to incorporate bifacial models. However currently only little validation data for bifacial PV modules exists, which alsoRead More

There is a lot of noise when it comes to battery specs and performance claims as it relates to solar + energy storage and microgrid projects. To cut through the clutter, DNV GL, one of the largest independent energy expert and certification body, released its first annual Battery Performance Scorecard,Read More

DNV GL, a resource of independent energy experts and certification body, published its fourth annual PV Module Reliability Scorecard report, the most complete publicly available comparison of PV module reliability test results. This year’s report finds that the reliability and durability of modules submitted to DNV GL for testing forRead More

The days when a residential or commercial solar installer did not need to know the difference in performance between lead-acid and lithium-based batteries are over. Battery storage has emerged as an unavoidable complement to solar, slashing peak charges and outwitting utility time-of-use charge games, not to mention saving microgrids fromRead More

DNV GL, a resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has created Battery XT, the first testing-based verification of battery lifetime for Li-on batteries. The independent verification tool compiles battery life cycle data and predicts battery degradation under different conditions and duty cycles, providing renewables stakeholders with an objective way toRead More