US commercial PV can meet 35% of electricity demand of manufacturers
Northeastern University researchers have looked at energy use in manufacturing sectors and have found great potential for facilities to generate a portion of their own power with on-site rooftop solar installations.
Polysilicon prices preserve downward trend, weighed down by supply factors
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
Building nature-friendly solar parks
Hungarian company SolServices has published a white paper outlining ways to make solar farms more compatible with nature and wildlife, from insects and amphibians to birds, bats, rodents and big game.
Floating PV in Portugal can exceed national 7 GW target
Researchers from the University of Évora have concluded in a study that the installed capacity of floating solar systems can exceed the 7 GW target defined in the country’s National Energy and Climate Plan 2030.
UK solar systems to be 50% cheaper by 2035, say UK researchers
University of Surrey researchers say that by 2035, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for small projects and utility-scale PV systems could decrease to GBP 149 ($187)/MWh and GBP 51/MWh, respectively.
Bulgaria launches household solar rebate scheme
The Bulgarian Ministry of Energy has announced that a BGN 240 million ($134 million) rebate scheme is now open for applications from households seeking to install solar water heating systems and rooftop PV arrays, potentially coupled with battery energy storage systems.
India’s annual EV sales surpassed 1.2 million units in fiscal 2023
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh led yearly electric vehicle sales with a 15.15% share of the cumulative 1.2 million units sold in fiscal 2022-23. It was followed by Maharashtra with a 12.72% share and Karnataka at 9.14%.
Avoiding PV buyer’s remorse
New entrants to solar equipment procurement may be surprised to encounter constantly amended contract terms, index-linked price rises, and near-worthless defect warranties, but they reflect recent supply chain troubles. Clean Energy Associates’ Martin Deak offers a buyers guide.
Kaneka presents 29.2%-efficient 2T silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell
Kaneka’s two-terminal tandem perovskite solar cell has achieved the highest efficiency ever recorded for such a device based on an industrial Czochralski (CZ) silicon wafer. It has an open-circuit voltage of 1.929 V, a short-circuit current density of 19.5 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 77.55%.
Enerparc COO signals 10-20% potential increase in European PV module prices
Growing interest in European-made solar modules for rooftop systems and PV plants reflects a willingness to increase investments, according to Enerparc COO Stefan Müller. In a recent interview with pv magazine, Müller discusses the market for corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the viability of German solar PV tenders.
