Romania launches 1.5 GW renewables auction
The Romanian authorities plan to allocate 1 GW of wind capacity and 500 MW of solar through the country’s first procurement exercise. The Romanian Ministry of Energy has set a maximum strike price of €91 ($100.7)/MWh for solar projects and €93/MWh for wind projects.
Ireland allocates almost 960 MW of solar in fourth renewables auction
This year’s auction saw the Irish government provisionally allocate 959.85 MW of solar across 23 projects. The final average price for PV was €0.10476 ($0.12)/kWh.
Algeria’s PV capacity tops 436.8 MW
Solar power is the leading source of renewable electricity in Algeria, with a total capacity of 436.8 MW. About 388.95 MW (82.4%) is grid-connected, and 47.85 MW (10.1%) is off-grid. Recent large-scale tenders aim to push the country’s capacity beyond 4 GW soon.
Tata Power begins solar cell production at 4.3 GW plant in India
Tata Power’s TP Solar subsidiary has started commercial production of solar cells with an initial capacity of 2 GW at its 4.3 GW integrated PV cell and module plant in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Ice-source heat pump system for residential applications
UK scientists designed a new heat pump concept that they claim could be particularly beneficial to newly developed areas or potential residential complexes. The system uses ice or ice slurry as the heat source and its energy consumption is reportedly lower than that of several types commercially available heat pumps.
Australian redox flow battery manufacturer ramps up capacity
Allegro Energy, an Australian redox flow battery developer, aims to “rapidly accelerate” its manufacturing capacity after closing a AUD 17.5 million ($11.6 million) funding round that attracted major domestic and international investors.
Draghi says EU cleantech industry doesn’t need simple solutions
Italian economist Mario Draghi says European countries are legitimately using local-content requirements to maintain technological sovereignty. In a new report on the EU cleantech industry, he warns about the risk of following the United States in closing off markets to Chinese technology.
Japanese scientists build heterojunction solar cell based on titanium dioxide, selenium
Scientists in Japan developed a 4.49%-efficient solar cell based on titanium dioxide and selenium. The devices is based on a new approach aimed at reducing interfacial recombination and increasing open-circuit voltage and efficiency.
Intersolar South America underscores Brazil’s solar growth, tech innovation
The Intersolar South America trade show drew 650 exhibitors and 55,000 visitors in August, highlighting industry growth with new pavilions on storage and electric mobility. Brazil is on track to reach 47.2 GW of installed solar capacity by the end of this year, with 11 GW of new PV capacity additions, according to Brazilian PV association ABsolar.
Ecostal Group acquires Solexis
Ecostal Group, a B2B solar specialist, has acquired Swiss PV equipment distributor Solexis. The group says the merger will expand its operations in Switzerland.
