Category Archives: renewable-energy
Partial shading is worse than it sounds.
This post addresses a problem specific to solar PV modules that use string_inverters, which are the most common kinds of inverters. For an introduction to solar PV technology, see my previous post. Every manufacturer will tell you to avoid obstructions … Continue reading
Posted in renewable-energy, renooble, solar-PV
Tagged inverter, partial shading, photovoltaics, PV, shading, solar, string inverter
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solar PV ABC's
There’s a lot of jargon out there. Let’s clear things up with some definitions. First off, you have to call it “Solar PV” because there are other kinds of solar power, like solar thermal and CSP. Generally, these other technologies … Continue reading
Posted in renooble, solar-PV
Tagged basics, bottom line, definitions, FITs, introduction, profit
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status update: solar PV
the state of the market In case you missed it, the solar photovoltaics industry was this past decade’s hottest drama. Here’s a quick summary: ground-breaking innovations, shortage of raw materials, dubious intellectual property practices, oversupply, sub-cost dumping, bankruptcies, international lawsuits, … Continue reading
Posted in inspiration, renooble, solar-PV
Tagged affordable, BoS, grid parity, innovation, installed capacity, modularity, modules, peakers, peaking, scalability, solar PV
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2 Useful Maps
First off: Happy Noo Year! We’ve got some graphics to share, brought to you by our friend Sachin Navalkar. The first one combines wind speed and population density data, giving a more complete, more realistic image of where in the … Continue reading
Posted in solar-PV, wind-energy
Tagged europe, irradiation, maps, population, seasonal variation, seasons, solar radiation, united kingdom, wind
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The Skinny on Small Wind
Summary: Wind is volatile. The conditions for effective wind harvesting greatly favor rural areas. Turbulence can be a problem for building-mounted turbines. Height above the ground makes a big difference. Feed-in Tariffs keep small wind economically viable in the UK. A … Continue reading
Posted in incentives, policy, renewable-energy, wind-energy
Tagged building-mounted, electricity, generation, payback, roof, roof-mounted, shear, wind, wind turbines, windy
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Wind Energy, Perú and the Energy Challenge
Our co-founder Alvaro was invited by the University Agraria de La Molina in Lima, Perú to give a talk on wind energy. He gave a talk for engineering, environmental science and policy students, describing the world’s energy situation and some … Continue reading