New Zealand steps up approvals process for large-scale PV projects
Ten large-scale solar farms planned for New Zealand’s North and South islands are among 22 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 3 GW that have been listed for inclusion in the government’s “one-stop shop” fast-track approvals process.
Rooftop PV installations could raise daytime temperatures in urban environments by up to 1.5 C
New research from India shows that rooftop PV system may have “unintended” consequences on temperartures in urban environments. Rooftop arrays, for example, may potentially lower nighttime temperatures by up to 0.6 C.
Rising gas prices, lower renewables output driving up European power costs
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says rising gas prices coupled with lower solar and wind production had an upward influence on European electricity prices in most markets last week. France, Portugal and Spain all broke their daily solar production records in October.
UK startup unveils industrial heat pump for hot water, steam generation
Futraheat has developed a 300 kW/1.5 MW heat pump that can reportedly deliver steam up to 130 C and reach a coefficient of performance of 6.2. The first prototype was deployed at a brewery in Sussex.
India adds 11.3 GW of solar module capacity, 2 GW of cells in H1 2024
India added 11.3 GW of solar module and 2 GW of cell manufacturing capacity in the first half of 2024, bringing the country’s cumulative production capacities to 77.2 GW for modules and 7.6 GW for cells, according to Mercom India.
Swiss startup offers organic PV-powered asset tracker
Truvami has launched an organic PV-powered asset tracker equipped with localization and sensor technology for battery-free use indoors and outdoors, targeting logistics and manufacturing applications.
CIP building 1.1 GWh standalone battery storage project in Chile
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has approved a final investment decision and started construction of the Arena battery energy storage system (BESS) project, with the aim of supplying energy from the first quarter of 2026.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Shanghai stocks soar, TCL appoints new CEO
China’s stock market surged over six trading days around the recent National Day holiday, TCL Zhonghuan appointed Wang Yanjun as its news CEO, and Runergy started production at its new 2 GW solar module plant in Alabama, amid a looming patent lawsuit from Trina Solar.
The Hydrogen Stream: Infinity sends fuel cell to NASA for lunar testing
Infinity says it has delivered a fuel cell prototype to NASA for ground testing, aimed at demonstrating a regenerative energy storage system for potential lunar applications.
Energy storage is a solved problem
There are thousands of extraordinarily good pumped hydro energy storage sites around the world with extraordinarily low capital cost. When coupled with batteries, the resulting hybrid system has large energy storage, low cost for both energy and power, and rapid response. Storage is a solved problem.
