In a meeting with domestic energy associations, the Italian government has confirmed the general thrust of the draft decree for solar and renewable energies. It has also proposed changes favorable for PV linked to projects for asbestos removal and the rehabilitation of polluted or soil-degraded areas for large-scale projects selected in upcoming RE auctions. Alberto Pinori, president of Italy’s renewable energy association, Anie Rinnovabili, has praised the government’s new attitude and its agencies. He further stressed the importance of the obligation of only using new components for renewable projects, solar included, which will likely be included in the decree.

Two weeks after issuing a tender for solar up to 1 MW, the Danish Energy Agency has now launched a second tender scheduled for this year, for large-scale solar and wind projects. Selected schemes will be eligible to receieve a premium feed-in premium over a 20-year period.

The Accelerating Battery Storage for Development program is intended to leverage US$4 billion in new investments, and to support projects for utility-scale solar parks with battery storage, off-grid systems, including mini-grids, and stand-alone batteries.

The Belgian research institute developed its cell in partnership with EnergyVille, Solliance and German research center, ZSW.

Norway’s state-owned hydropower and wind company plans to invest around NOK 10 billion (US$1.23 billion) in wind and solar between 2019 and 2025.

Although solar energy roads are still considered economically unviable, the Dutch water management agency, Rijkswaterstaat announced it will investigate their potential as an alternative to the lack of surfaces for PV deployment in the Netherlands.

Via an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Italian oil company aims to increase its presence in Africa’s renewable energy markets. It already invests more than half of its budget in the region.

The Energía Limpia de La Laguna project, owned by Mexican fund Balam, is located in the state of Durango. The plant incorporates 108,314 polycrystalline modules on 98 single-axis trackers.

The Chinese-Canadian module manufacturer says its P4-based BiHiKu panel, for large commercial and utility-scale solar projects, is able to provide up to 30 per cent additional output from the rear side.

Tanzanian power utility Tanesco wants to build solar plants across six regions. Successful projects will range from 20 MW to 50 MW in size and the tender has been launched as the nation tries to ramp up solar’s share of its energy mix.