Under a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding with JinkoSolar, Greatcell noted it would make available developmental perovskite cells for further evaluation.
Announcement
pv magazine test
Reputation and quality are everything in the world of solar, which is why the return of the pv magazine module test should excite solar module manufacturers eager to see their products shine. And we want to do our bit to help showcase the best modules in the industry – so get in touch today to learn more about the pv magazine module test.
Announcement
Upcoming Roundtables at SPI
Register now for our upcoming Roundtables at SPI in Las Vegas:
Both events are free of charge!
Announcement
Array Changing Technologies 2017
A new format for 2017 sees the Array Changing Technologies feature split over three issues. A panel of European experts assessed the tech shaping Europe’s solar market for June, with a similarly experienced panel on board for July’s North American selection. The winner will be announced in September, so read on to discover which of the 20 entries have been shortlisted for the top prize!
Markets & Policy
REC Silicon’s polysilicon sales rise 18% sequentially in Q2, net loss increases
The Norwegian polysilicon producer saw its revenue drop slightly Y-o-Y to $61.0 million in the latest quarter. Average solar grade polysilicon prices, on the other hand, dropped by 6.9% from the previous quarter.
Markets & Policy
Ireland’s mitigation plan outlines incremental and permanent decarbonization steps
200-page plan proffers detailed breakdown of Ireland’s pathway towards decarbonization and greater energy efficiency by 2050. Key tenet is transition from centralized, fossil-fuel based electricity system to a low carbon power system. Green campaigners criticize plan’s lack of ambition.
Markets & Policy
New EU solar pricing proposal ‘divorces prices from reality’, says SolarPower Europe
Intended update for MIP by the European Commission’s DG Trade will set a pricing schedule for panels and cells on the European market that does not reflect market realities, trade body argues.
Installations
Coal provided just 2% of UK power in H1 2017
Just five years after meeting 40% of U.K.’s electricity supply, data from Imperial College London shows that coal only met 2% of the country’s power needs in the first half of the year.
Markets & Policy
ADB backs Thailand’s major IPP going green
As emerging economies in the ASEAN region search for new ways to access power amid growing demand, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is looking to encourage development of renewable energy projects. This time, it has spent more than $50 million on shares of Thailand’s B. Grimm Power Public Company, which is looking to diversify its energy generation portfolio.
Manufacturing
LONGi Solar first to place order for new Meyer Burger tool
Swiss equipment supplier Meyer Burger today announced the launch of its new MAiA EVO system, and the receipt of the first order for the system from PERC manufacturer LONGi Solar Technology. The tool is set to be delivered in the second half of 2017.
Installations
Canary Islands’s utility Disa buys another 7 MW of solar
Including this operation, the installed PV capacity of the power and gas distributor in the archipelago has reached 20 MW.
Markets & Policy
Featured
Turmoil in residential solar
U.S. residential: After years of steady, relentless growth, the U.S. residential solar market is struggling with challenges on both the policy and customer acquisition fronts. And as the market diversifies away from California and the Northeast, the future is far from clear.
Greece’s PPC utility targets 550 MW of new solar
Greece’s incumbent utility, the Public Power Corporation (PPC) has announced a target for new solar PV projects. The move, while justified, may come too late to save the PPC, which is trying to reduce its reliance on lignite and avoid bankruptcy.
...Belgian region of Flanders sees first MW-sized PV project come online after revision of incentive program in 2013
A 2.2 MW rooftop PV array was installed on Nike’s distribution center in Ham. The facility will cover up to 15% of the building’s energy needs.
...Hawaii regulators approve HECO’s 100% renewable energy plan
After years of trying to get utilities fully on board, HECO has issued a five-year plan to double solar and renewables on the road to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2040.
...Installations
Featured
Blue is the new black
Utilities and solar: The old structures of centralized power generation are slowly being eroded by a combination of more affordable solar PV and cleantech innovation. Many of Europe’s big utilities were initially resistant to this changing of the old guard, but a growing number are now realigning their business structures to place PV at the forefront.
Atlas plugs in 110 MW solar park in central Chile
Power produced by the Quilapilún PV station will be sold to the regulated market under a PPA awarded to the project in an auction held by local power distributors in 2014.
...Iran pushes for more residential and commercial PV
The Iranian government is seeking to create awareness of the advantages of the FIT program for PV projects not exceeding 100 kW in size.
...Hive Energy’s subsidy-free 40 MW UK solar plant gets approval
The British solar developer confirms that its proposed 40 MW solar farm in Hampshire, southern England, will be commissioned by early 2018 and built without the need for any form of subsidy or support from government.
...Armenia pre-qualifies 10 developers for 55 MW solar tender
Through the tender, the Armenian government will build the country’s first large-scale PV plant as part of its six-year $58 million solar program.
...Technology
Featured
Unleashing the sun
Off-grid in Nigeria: With the largest unelectrified population in Africa, Nigeria holds great promise for off-grid solar companies. Progress on electrifying the country can be accelerated by improving government policies.
U.S. university CPV system outperforms silicon by 54% in test
A single-cell concentrating photovoltaic system developed by researchers at Penn State University reportedly reached 30% efficiency, and generated 54% more energy during a two-day test than a commercial silicon solar in the same conditions.
...Leaked DOE study draft: U.S. grids are getting more reliable, not less
A leaked draft of the study ordered by Energy Secretary Perry appears to show what we already knew: That grids are getting more reliable, not less, as wind and solar are added. But the political tampering with the facts may already be happening.
...Swiss researchers testing planted rooftop areas in combination with PV systems
Scientists in Switzerland are testing the optimum use of combined PV systems and planted flat rooftop areas, and how both systems affect each other. A first prototype has been installed on a roof of a senior citizen residence in the country.
...SolarEdge unveils inverter-integrated EV charger
The Israeli power electronics specialist introduces electric vehicle charger at Intersolar North America that can be integrated using a single inverter and dashboard.
...Manufacturing
Featured
When the levee breaks
Solar and delisting: Trina Solar’s departure from the NYSE could signal a wave of solar firms leaving U.S. stock markets. But many uncertainties remain.
Solargiga ships 1.16 GW in H1
Solargiga Energy’s shipments of PV cells, solar panels, silicon ingots and wafers reached 1.16 GW in the first half of 2017, up nearly 55% year on year. Revenue from its production business rose 16.2% on the year to CNY 1.97 billion ($291.6 million), according to unaudited preliminary operating statistics filed to the Hong Kong stock exchange.
...Recycling of PV modules: New Fraunhofer ISE study sheds light on end of life issues
Seeking to answer what is happening with final costs once recycling becomes and issue at PV module end-of-life, backsheet manufacturer Coveme points to the importance of fluorine-free backsheets for the PV industry, as they keep the costs down while being environmentally friendly.
...SolarWorld announces lay-off plan
The company said that continuing it’s business operations is possible only with reduced staff. Production must keep going in the interest of possible future investors.
...On a journey to high power: Cell and module-level innovation at Intersolar Europe 2017
pv magazine provides a brief overview of high-efficiency, high-output solutions presented at Intersolar Europe 2017.
...Energy Storage
British solar power developer Solarcentury has been selected to design and build two solar-powered mini-grids in two remote communities of East African country Eritrea. The 2.25 MW project is backed by investment totalling €5.7 million, and draws upon funding from the European Union’s ACP EU Energy Facility (from a total pot of €8 million), the […]
Solarcentury to build EU, UNDP-backed 2.25 MW solar+storage mini-grids in Eritrea
The €5.7 million project is being part-financed by the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme and the government of Eritrea to deliver solar electricity to up to 40,000 homes and businesses in the remotest parts of the country.
...Wirsol, Renew Estate team up on 1 GW
Wirsol Energy and Australian developer Renew Estate have agreed to collaborate on a renewables pipeline of more than 1 GW, starting in Australia. The new venture already has 400 MW of utility-scale solar capacity under development and plans to start construction on its first projects by the first quarter of 2018.
...Nidec ASI: Making storage smarter
In an interview with at Intersolar Europe 2017, Kaila Haines, Nidec ASI Marketing Director, is tracing the evolution of Europe’s large-scale battery storage market.
...Australia’s Redflow seeking AU$14.5m, shifts focus to lead-acid replacement market
Australian stock exchange-listed battery maker Redflow has announced a AU$14.5 million ($11.25 million) funding round, as the Brisbane-based company takes its manufacturing base offshore and turns its attention to a market “sweet-spot” including the off-grid, telecom, commercial and industrial sectors.
...Keep up to date
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Press Releases
Fronius Solar Energy expands its global network by opening the first branch office in Hungary
The addition of an office near Budapest has seen the international network of the Austrian solar technology specialist grow once again. Customers in Hungary can now look forward to a faster and more reliable technical support service.
ABB central inverter, PVS800, now available up to 2 MW size
ABB continues to expand its extensive solar inverter portfolio through the launch of the high-power central inverter, PVS800-57B – a new member of the highly successful PVS800 central inverter series
Investment Plan for Europe: EIB and Santander sign two agreements to support SMEs and finance renewable energy projects
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Banco Santander have signed two agreements with Investment Plan for Europe guarantees to provide financing for Spanish SMEs and help develop investment in renewable energy.
Enertronica wins €10 million, 27MWp EPC contract in the United States
Enertronica, Italian company operating in the industry of renewables, energy saving, engineering and manufacturing of electro-mechanical systems, announces the contract award for the construction of a 27MWp photovoltaic in Nevada (USA).