U.S. researchers from Colorado University, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Colorado State University, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture have developed a framework showing that wider spacing between solar PV rows can make agrivoltaic systems economically viable for large-scale mechanized farming. Their simulations in Colorado demonstrated that optimized row spacing maintains crop production while improving combined agricultural and energy revenues. The study found that wider-row agrivoltaic solutions can provide economic benefits over traditional utility-scale PV systems, with $200/acre in agricultural profit justifying spacing panels at least 9.662 m apart. The framework defines different PV row-spacing scenarios, determines installed PV capacity, incorporates agricultural equipment constraints, calculates crop revenues, estimates electricity generation and revenue, and calculates metrics such as net present value and levelized cost of energy. The team simulated a 160-acre project in Colorado with different crop scenarios and PPA prices, highlighting the sensitivity of results to equipment size.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Japan establishes national benchmarks for agrivoltaics as sites expand
The Japanese government has set new standards for agrivoltaics in response to reports of reduced crop yields under solar panels. By the end of fiscal 2023, 6,137 agrivoltaic sites covering 1,361.6 hectares of farmland had been approved. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries convened a meeting in May 2025 to define "desirable" installations, tightening rules and requiring developers to submit cultivation plans, financial projections, and evidence that crops can grow beneath panels. Advanced solar-agricultural designs like dual-axis tracking can optimize panel angles seasonally for better crop growth and power production, with companies like Idemitsu Kosan leading commercial agrivoltaic projects.
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Research shows conventional solar arrays can support livestock grazing
A new research report by the Federal Association for New Energy Industry (bne) in Germany found that conventional solar parks can support sheep and cattle grazing, as the vegetation under and between PV modules provides adequate feed quality. The study concluded that agricultural use is possible without dedicated agrivoltaic systems, with researchers analyzing vegetation, biomass, and animal behavior in five solar parks across different regions. They found higher species diversity and protein content in plants growing under modules, suggesting that solar parks should be considered agricultural land that can generate electricity while enabling agricultural use.
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Transparent superhydrophobic self-cleaning coating increases solar cell efficiency by 4.75%
Researchers have developed a PFAS-free dual-layer sol-gel and hydrophobic silica coating for solar panels, improving efficiency from 13.90% to 14.56%. The coating repels water, dust, and dirt without reducing light transmission, making it durable and suitable for commercial applications. By combining sol-gel processed hydrophilic silica sol with hydrophobic silica nanoparticles, a transparent and superhydrophobic surface is created. The coating has shown excellent performance in water contact angle, sliding angle, and mechanical tests, as well as good chemical stability and outdoor exposure. Plans are in place to test the coating in extreme weather conditions and bring it to market within five years.
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First attempt to build solar modules using polycarbonate encapsulant
Canadian researchers have proposed an open-source solar module design using polycarbonate instead of traditional materials, allowing for easy disassembly and reuse of solar cells. The design enables local manufacturing with accessible DIY tools, reducing barriers for community-level fabrication and repair. The polycarbonate encapsulation technique is scalable, lightweight, and requires only mechanical separation for recycling. With a focus on low embodied energy and durability, the prototype module can generate 2.12 W under sunny conditions at a cost of $3.11/W, potentially reduced to $0.06-0.30/W with recycled materials and industrial-scale prices. Future work includes scaling the design, optimizing materials, and testing for long-term durability, as detailed in a study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
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Small 24/7 clean power commitments could cut costs for long-duration storage
Early demand for 24/7 carbon-free electricity is driving the adoption of advanced energy technologies, reducing costs and making clean power commercially viable. Companies like Google are investing in this initiative, bridging the gap between early investment and commercial viability for emerging clean energy technologies. By committing to 24/7 clean power procurement, companies can incentivize the development of newer energy generation and storage technologies, leading to a virtuous cycle of investment and technological learning. This approach not only reduces emissions but also helps advanced technologies become more cost competitive, with studies showing significant cost reductions for technologies like lithium-ion batteries and iron-air batteries driven by carbon-free energy commitments.
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Photovoltaics for cattle dung gasification
An international team of researchers has developed a solar PV system that efficiently converts cattle dung into syngas, reducing CO2 emissions and demonstrating a net energy recovery of 40.17%. The system has a payback period of 3.75 years and can generate annual revenue of 98,703 PKR ($352.1) at a processing capacity of 5 kg/day. Gasification at 800 C was found to produce optimal syngas yields and is scalable for larger CAFOs. The study highlights the importance of system utilization, operational factors, and maintenance in determining the overall feasibility of biomass energy systems. Further research will focus on scaling up the system, optimizing syngas yield, and evaluating its performance in different environmental conditions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/09/photovoltaics-for-cattle-dung-gasification/
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Tunisia ussues tender for 300 MW solar plant with 150 MW/540 MWh storage
Tunisia is making significant strides in its renewable energy sector with the issuance of a tender for a 300 MW solar plant with storage, the country's first solar-plus-storage project located near Kébili. Independent power producers have until October 14 to submit offers, as Tunisia aims to reach 1 GW of operational solar capacity with the commissioning of a 120 MW solar project by Amea Power. The government has also granted licenses for four new utility-scale projects totaling 500 MW under a renewable energy tender, highlighting Tunisia's commitment to expanding its renewable energy infrastructure.
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BYD unveils EB batteries that can recharge in 10 minutes
BYD has unveiled new EV batteries that can recharge in 10 minutes, with the ability to charge from 10% to 70% in 5 minutes and from 10% to 97% in 9 minutes. The second generation Blade Battery can deliver a driving range of 777 km and extend the range of premium models beyond 1,000 km. The batteries have passed China's national safety standards and will be included in ten new BYD models. The company's FLASH Charging network, which currently includes 4,000 stations, will expand to 20,000 by the end of 2026, with 2,000 stations located on highways. This advancement in EV battery technology and charging infrastructure is a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles as a key climate solution.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/06/byd-unveils-eb-batteries-that-can-recharge-in-10-minutes/
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The Hydrogen Stream: bp and Iberdrola set to commission Spain’s largest project
BP, Iberdrola, Moeve, Hyundai Motor Group, ITM, RWE, and Snam are all making significant strides in the development of green hydrogen projects and hydrogen technologies. With projects nearing completion in Spain, final investment decisions being approved, and commitments to develop hydrogen infrastructure in Germany and South Korea, these companies are paving the way for a more sustainable future. From setting up advanced AI and hydrogen technology hubs to shipping final batches of stacks for electrolyzer plants, these efforts are crucial in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Snam's commitment of €200 million by 2030 to develop a hydrogen backbone using existing gas pipelines further demonstrates the growing momentum towards climate solutions in the energy sector.