Transparent organic PV materials for solar window applications
US scientists have built photovoltaic materials with two top layers made of phthalocyanine and heptamethine. They tested the new tech across four different climate areas in the United States.
South Africa increases capacity of sixth renewables procurement round, leaves solar quota unchanged
The South African authorities have increased the total capacity of the next round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) from 3.6 GW to 4.2 GW.
Hybrid solar-wind project moves forward in Latvia
Lithuanian energy company Ignitis has purchased a 200 MW hybrid solar-wind project in Latvia. The installation is in the early stages of development, with construction scheduled to begin in 2025.
Flexible, roll-to-roll printed perovskite solar cell hits 16.7% efficiency
Australian scientists have demonstrated a flexible perovskite solar cell using roll-to-roll compatible “printing” type processes, which could potentially be applied in large-scale manufacturing. Of particular note is the development of a viable roll-to-roll process to deposit the electrode layer, which has thus far been a major challenge. Cells fabricated by the group achieved a maximum efficiency of 16.7%.
Co-locating solar, crops, livestock in agrivoltaic projects
US researchers are exploring the potential to co-locate solar with cattle or sheep, crops, pollinator-friendly native plants, soil rehabilitation, and other ecosystem services.
Japan’s 13th solar auction concludes with lowest bid of $0.066/kWh
Japan’s latest procurement exercise was open to PV projects above 250 kW in size. The lowest price came in at JPY 9.7 ($0.066)/kWh and the allocated capacity was just 26.2 MW, out of 225 MW tendered.
DNV identifies CATL, Narada batteries as top performers
DNV recently evaluated 19 battery cells through its testing program and found that lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells from Chinese battery makers CATL and Narada offer the best performance in stationary energy storage applications.
Fortescue proposes 9.2 GW green hydrogen project in Egypt
Mining magnate Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries continues its campaign to be one of the world’s largest clean energy companies, with new plans to develop a 9.2 GW wind and solar facility in Egypt to power green hydrogen production.
Amp Energy to manufacture solar cells, modules
Amp Energy has agreed to partner with Websol Energy to produce up to 1.2 GW of monocrystalline PERC solar cells and modules.
US poised to hit 336 GW of solar by 2027
US solar capacity is expected to grow from 129 GW today to 336 GW by 2027, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie.
