Feature Article

This work aims to identify the geographic distribution of photovoltaic (PV) energy potential considering the effect of temperature on PV system performance. A simple framework is developed that uses the JIS C 8907 Japanese industrial standard to evaluate the effects of irradiation and temperature on PV potential. The global distributions of PV potential and yearly performance ratio are obtained by this framework. Generally, the performance ratio decreases with latitude because of temperature. However, regions with high altitude have higher performance ratios due to low temperature.

A high-level committee appointed to review the safety of Indian nuclear power plants says India’s plants are safe, but has suggested reliable back-up provisions to cool reactors and prevent meltdown.

India’s biggest mining company, the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) has snapped its three-year old ties with the British-Australian mining group Rio Tinto. The move has come at a time when the Indian public sector unit is pursuing an aggressive acquisition strategy in Australia.

Starting January 1, 2012, airlines using the EU airspace would have to pay a fee for any emission that exceeds a set cap. This fee is part of the EU-ETS (EU-Emissions Trading Scheme), which is the EU’s key tool to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions. The move has been on the cards since 2008, but as the date draws closer, airline associations are getting more vocal about their unwillingness to pay.