Researchers have developed a low-cost methodology using UAV photogrammetry and GIS analysis to assess rooftop PV potential in informal settlements, demonstrated in two communities in Brazil with favorable solar capture conditions. The process involves flight planning, image processing, rooftop analysis, and module allocation using an open-access Python tool. Results showed that approximately 577 modules could be installed, providing 61% of the average monthly electricity demand for each household, validated against detailed simulations with consistent results. The article also discusses a decision-support tool for assessing rooftop PV potential in informal settlements, comparing simplified irradiance-based models with dynamic simulation approaches developed by researchers from the University of Jaén in Spain and the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil.
Author: Pv Magazine
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Why consumers are choosing solar over fossil fuels
The 2026 Ipsos Energy Transition Barometer reveals a global shift towards renewable energy, particularly solar, driven by concerns over rising energy costs and a desire for energy independence. The Global Solar Council and Global Covenant of Mayors on Energy & Climate are partnering to promote residential rooftop solar and storage in thousands of cities worldwide, aiming to lower energy bills, increase resilience, and empower consumers. Public support for clean energy solutions like heat pumps, solar, and storage is strong, signaling a need for governments and decision makers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas to act on this shift in public opinion. This transition towards decentralized energy generation and storage is seen as a key economic policy for achieving energy security and affordability, with the public ready to embrace renewable energy for a more reliable, cost-effective, and secure energy future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/29/why-consumers-are-choosing-solar-over-fossil-fuels/
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Mexican graduates develop agrivoltaic system with rainwater harvesting, smart irrigation
A team of graduates from Monterrey Institute of Technology have developed SolarRoot, an agrivoltaic proposal combining photovoltaic modules, rainwater harvesting, and drip irrigation for crops. The system aims to produce electricity and food simultaneously while reducing heat stress on crops and minimizing water loss. The project won first place in an international competition and will advance to the next stage in Qatar. The specifics of the project, such as power output, module type, crop selection, and water recovery, are still under evaluation.
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Polish scientists build 21.87% semi-transparent perovskite PV cell for tandem applications
Researchers at Gdańsk University of Technology in Poland have developed a fabrication strategy for semitransparent perovskite solar cells, achieving a champion power conversion efficiency of 21.87% for the cells and 27.15% for tandem devices when combined with a commercial crystalline silicon bottom cell. The team focused on optimizing electrode and buffer-layer design, as well as long-term stability testing, with the devices demonstrating operational stability lasting over 1600 hours under light soaking and more than 4000 hours under outdoor conditions. Scientists are also working on improving the performance of 4T tandem perovskite/silicon solar devices by addressing issues such as series resistance and optical losses, focusing on developing wide-bandgap p-i-n perovskite solar cells with high transparency, low electrical losses, and long-term stability. Key areas for enhancing performance include optimizing transparent electrodes and reducing near-infrared absorption.
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Solar for Ukraine campaign continues to save lives
The Solar for Ukraine campaign, organized by the Biohaus Foundation, Greenpeace Germany, and Greenpeace Ukraine, aims to provide hospitals in Ukraine with photovoltaic systems for emergency power. The focus is on decentralized power to address the ongoing conflict in the country, with an emphasis on efficient and new modules to reduce costs and increase effectiveness. Additionally, SolarWomen4Ukraine is working to build a company of female solar installers to expand beyond hospital projects and target customers in the regular market. Both initiatives are seeking support from sponsor companies for training, materials, and donations to equip twelve hospitals with solar power, with plans for further expansion in the future.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/27/solar-for-ukraine-campaign-continues-to-save-lives/
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Open-access framework for intraday PV power prediction
Researchers from Switzerland and the Netherlands have developed a new framework for intraday spatiotemporal PV power prediction at the national scale, combining satellite-based deep learning and optical-flow approaches with physics-based numerical weather prediction models. This method allows for improved short-term power production planning, strategic action during energy surpluses or shortages, reduced electricity costs, and better balance of the energy grid. The satellite-based models outperformed traditional forecasting methods, with relative errors below 10% on 82% of days in 2019-2020, demonstrating potential for operational use in climate solutions.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/07/28/open-access-framework-for-intraday-pv-power-prediction/
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Three-year testing assesses wind flow dynamics in solar plants
Researchers from France have developed a parameterization model for wind flow dynamics over PV power plants, taking into account wind direction and geometric characteristics of the array. The study found that the aerodynamic behavior of the PV park is influenced by wind direction, resembling a dense vegetation canopy when wind blows perpendicular to the panel rows. The team is now working on a surface model to represent aerodynamic and energy exchanges of PV parks based on their findings. The next step involves coupling this model with a large-eddy simulation atmospheric model to analyze the impact of different PV park designs on local and regional weather patterns. The research, published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, was conducted by experts from France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE).
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Despite historical failure, cylindrical solar tubes may still find a place in BIPV market, say Japanese scientists
Researchers are continuing to develop cylindrical solar cells for building applications, citing their enhanced cooling capability and advantages in reducing temperature-related efficiency losses. A study published in IEEE Access highlighted the ability of cylindrical panels to improve PV performance and reduce power losses compared to flat modules. The researchers developed a regression-based model to predict daily power output and evaluated optimal configurations for wall-mounted and rooftop applications. Future work will focus on durability assessments, deployment studies, and system-level optimization to reduce the cost of electricity in urban solar applications. Additional studies are needed to incorporate real installation conditions, long-term monitoring, weather variability, and advanced thermal modeling.
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The Hydrogen Stream: green hydrogen production begins at North Sea gas platform
The PosHYdon pilot project in the North Sea has successfully produced green hydrogen by combining offshore wind power, natural gas production, and hydrogen production. Hyundai Motor Group has opened its first waste-to-hydrogen production facility in South Korea, while RCT Hydrogen has received a purchase order for a 10 MW electrolyzer project in Portugal. The Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Corridor is seeing strong market demand for hydrogen infrastructure, and the European Commission is planning the next round of the Hydrogen Mechanism to focus on energy infrastructure development.
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The geopolitics of solar manufacturing and how India can build a China-alternative supply chain
AXITEC Energy India is a solar panel manufacturer committed to contributing to India's renewable energy goals by offering high-quality solar panels with efficient energy production capabilities. Emphasizing sustainability and reducing carbon emissions through the use of solar energy, the company aims to provide reliable and cost-effective solutions for clean energy production in India. By focusing on expanding wafer and ingot manufacturing, investing in polysilicon production, and adopting high-efficiency technologies, India has the potential to emerge as a significant alternative manufacturing hub for clean energy products, reshaping global clean-energy supply chains and influencing the geopolitics of the low-carbon economy. Strategic partnerships with other countries and technology providers will be essential for accelerating technology transfer and research collaboration in building a fully integrated solar manufacturing ecosystem.