A RE+ 2024, the largest solar energy trade show in North America, featured a series of new developments for the global photovoltaic market, with emphasis on solutions for storage, equipment aimed at the model of VPPs (virtual plants), in addition to technologies for applications in C&I (commercial and industrial) and for vehicle loading.
Other solutions presented involved flexible solar panels and mega Trackers that rotate on their own axis, optimizing energy generation for investors who trade electricity.
The exhibition took place this week, between the 10th and 12th of September, at Anaheim Convention Center, one of the main convention centers in the United States, in Anaheim, in California.
O Canal Solar walked through the corridors of the event that brought together more than 1,3 exhibitors to follow the main trends in the American market.
Check below some of the main solutions found by the team of Canal Solar.
Virtual Power Plants
One of the main solutions displayed at RE+ 2024 was SolarEdge equipment to meet the VPP (Virtual Power Plant) model, which is rapidly expanding in the USA.
In this model, the consumer generates their own energy and has the possibility of being paid by injecting the energy accumulated in the batteries during peak hours. But how does it work?
Basically, consumers who have solar energy systems with integrated batteries make energy available to the electricity grid at times of high energy demand.
For this operation, there is an aggregator that acts as a “bridge” between the consumer and the energy provider. But how does this happen?
The aggregator receives dispatch orders from concessionaires to inject a certain amount of energy at specific times.
After receiving the service order, generally one day before (day ahead), it commands the consumer's inverter to inject the amount of energy at the contracted time for the operation to be carried out.
In an interview with Canal Solar, SolarEdge explained that this operation can be analog (email sent to the aggregator) or digital, in which the inverter receives command via API (Application Programming Interface) information on how much needs to be dispatched and in what period.
Today, the company operates as an aggregator in some countries, such as the USA, Australia, the Netherlands and South Africa. SolarEdge highlighted that the main motivation for consumers to adopt this model is financial gain.
The company reported that some consumers with 7 kWp systems, with 10 kWh battery systems, who provide this type of service to the grid can earn an extra profit of around US$ 1.
Generation gain with trackers
Manufacturer Mechatron Solar displayed the M16KD right at the entrance to the event Gearless Dual-Axis Tracker, a tracker model designed especially for the agricultural sector.
Ao Canal Solar, the company pointed out that the solution can increase the energy yield of a solar project by up to 40%, since the tracker has two types of movement.
The first of these is axis movement, something common to trackers, and the second is movement on its own axis.
The company also said that the technology is accurate in locating the sun's position due to the development of improved software.
Organic battery
Organic batteries are a solar energy storage technology that uses carbon, instead of traditional lithium or lead.
This solution is made from renewable materials and promotes sustainability, with biodegradable and less toxic components.
One stand that presented the solution was that of the company Cmblue Energy, which already has a few applications in courses in the United States and others in the development phase.
Flexible photovoltaic modules
This module was presented by NE Solar, and is made with monocrystalline cells and has a flexible structure due to the malleable material. The technology can be applied to irregular surfaces that need to be molded.
Furthermore, the solar panel has high energy efficiency due to its monocrystalline cells and great durability.
Ao Canal Solar, the company highlighted that what makes this module so flexible to the point that it is possible to mold it on a round surface, for example, is the fact that the cell goes through different processes, mainly lamination.
Stainless steel connectors
3M has presented to the public a connector solution for large-scale photovoltaic system applications with batteries. The equipment is made of stainless steel, ensuring greater durability and robustness to the solution.
Unlike conventional connectors, where the crimping process must be carried out with high-pressure pliers, the 3M product is mechanically developed to more effectively achieve the correct torque on the cables.
Load management system
TeraHive presented its load monitoring system to the public for different types of investors, where it is possible to check in real time the individual performance of each of its electric vehicle charging stations around the world.
The equipment operates through a platform that stores updated data in the cloud, showing how much each charger is generating for the investor in terms of financial results, in addition to many other features.
Battery rack
The CATL stand presented to the public a battery rack with a capacity of up to 400 kWh and an operating voltage of 1.331 V. In other words, this is an application popularly known as “High Voltage”.
The solution weighs around 3,5 tons and has an IP 56 protection rating. It is suitable for C&I (commercial and industrial) applications. It is possible to connect the technology to the AC busbar of a facility's switchboard, such as a supermarket, and manage its energy. The rack has seven cells and PCS and BMS systems.
Battery cells
BYD presented new solutions in electrical energy storage at the North American fair, highlighting Blade batteries aimed at both stationary applications and electric vehicles.
It is a high-capacity battery cell (almost 1,3 kWh) and slightly larger than the best-known technologies on the market, such as prismatic or cylindrical cells.
According to the manufacturer, the technology also has high efficiency and charge density. In addition, the company also presented a 500 kWh battery rack, with 250 kW power and liquid cooling systems.
Lifeline equipment
Another interesting solution presented at RE+ 2024 was a protection system for photovoltaic system installers, with a platform for the use of lifelines and other safety equipment on zip-roofs. In other words, for large warehouses.
The new product presented by the company S-5! was developed to be attached directly to the roof tile of a residence, and is considered ideal for roofs that do not have a permanent lifeline.
This means that workers who install solar modules in a residential or commercial building can work with an even greater level of safety.
Application for C&I
Growatt has presented a battery solution for commercial and industrial applications. Unlike conventional racks, here the batteries are in the Stand Alone model.
Each pack battery has approximately 15 kWh, are monitored by BMS and connected in series. In total, there are ten stacked batteries with each of them having 50V at their terminals, totaling an application of around 500V.
The batteries are connected to an inverter (shown in the photo on the right) so that they can be charged during off-peak hours and discharged during peak hours. Inverters are available in different versions, ranging from 28 kW to 100 kW of power.
all the content of Canal Solar is protected by copyright law, and partial or total reproduction of this site in any medium is expressly prohibited. If you are interested in collaborating or reusing part of our material, please contact us by email: redacao@canalsolar.com.br.
