Emiliano Bellini
‘There is no alternative to a world of 100% renewables’
Electrifying the global energy system with clean energy is the only way to reach the targets set by the Paris agreement on climate change and avoid the catastrophic scenarios outlined by the recent IPCC report. In an interview with pv magazine, Christian Breyer – Professor of Solar Economy at Finland’s Lappeenranta University of Technology – explains a 100% renewables model is not only technically feasible, but also the cheapest and safest option. With solar and storage at its core, the future energy system envisaged by Breyer and his team will not only stop coal, but also nuclear and fossil gas, while seeing solar reach a share of around 70% of power consumption by 2050. By that time, PV technology could cost a third of its current price.
Ukraine’s Naftogaz begins investing in solar power
The nation’s oil and gas provider is building its first small-sized PV projects at facilities operated by Ukrtransgaz, the Ukrainian gas transport system.
High-yield recycling of PV modules demonstrated by EU team
A project has demonstrated the numerous advantages of PV recycling and highlighted three techniques to turn panel waste into high-value materials.
URE gets $90m financial backing from Taiwanese government
Taipei will invest in the company through its National Development Fund and government-run glass manufacturer Yao Hwa Glass Co. Ltd.
Trina bags 123 MW order from Ukraine
The Chinese module manufacturer will supply its panels for a huge solar project under development in the Dnipropetrovsk region, in southeastern Ukraine.
Tunisia postpones deadline for 70 MW solar tender, again
The country’s second 70 MW procurement – for solar projects up to 10 MW in size – was launched in May. The Tunisian government had already extended the deadline for the tender in August.
Decentralized solar-plus-storage would fire sub-Saharan Africa
According to a UC Berkeley study, the falling costs of storage technologies will make it possible for Sub-Saharan countries to rely on decentralized systems based mainly on solar-plus-storage, bringing access to electricity to more than 600 million people.
Solargiga sees shipments increase slightly, revenue decline 11.1%
In the first three quarters of 2018, the Chinese solar manufacturer shipped approximately 1.75 GW of PV products – 3.5% more than it did in the same period of 2017. Revenue from the manufacturing business, however, fell by 12.6%, while total revenue drop was 11.1%.
Nigeria’s MBSO launches tender for 100 MW solar park
The project is being developed by independent power producer Alten Africa in Kogi State, in the central region of Nigeria.
Finland’s 2017 PV market grows by over 100%
Overall, the country’s cumulative installed solar power has reached 80.4 MW, with last year’s PV additions totaling around 43 MW. More growth, mainly fueled by solar rebates and tax credits, is expected to be seen this year.
