Patrick Jowett
Moldova kicks off first renewables auction
Moldova aims to procure 60 MW of solar in its first renewables auction. Successful investors will secure fixed price guarantees for power generated over periods of 15 years. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2025.
Gibraltar launches solar tender for airport
The government of Gibraltar has started accepting bids to design, install, operate, and maintain a solar panel array at Gibraltar International Airport. The deadline for applications is Sept. 20.
Ternary organic solar cell based on dimerized small molecule achieves 18.12% efficiency
A team from the Southern University of Science and Technology in China has designed a small molecule donor to act as a third component in ternary organic cells. It helped to achieve a power conversion efficiency of 18.26% when fabricated with a PM6:BTP-eC9 organic solar cell.
Indonesia relaxes local content requirement for solar projects
The government of Indonesia has eased import rules for solar power plants in a bid to bolster the development of renewables projects.
Philippines fast-tracks world’s largest solar park with green lane certificate
The Board of Investments of the Philippines has granted a green lane certificate to a solar project that is being touted as the largest in the world to date. The accreditation will facilitate easier approval and processing of permits.
Bifacial tracking systems dominate utility-scale PV market
The latest report from the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS) covers best practices for the optimization of bifacial PV tracking systems and discusses key areas for improvement.
Montenegro developing 87.5 MW of solar
Agenos Energy and CGES AD Podgorica have signed a contract to construct an 87.5 MW solar park in western Montenegro, bringing the project closer to completion.
Botswana signs contract for 100 MW solar plant
State-owned Botswana Power Corp. has signed a power purchase agreement with a consortium of Chinese enterprises and other companies to construct a 100 MW solar plant in southern Botswana. The project is expected to start generation by the end of 2025.
TUI powers hotels with solar plants in Turkey
Travel and tourism company TUI recently started operating three new solar plants in Turkey, totalling 15 MW, to supply power to eight hotels. It plans to power more hotels in the country with additional solar plants.
Desert-to-Power initiative seeking consultants for solar mapping
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is seeking consultants to undertake a solar mapping exercise in seven of its members states: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda. The deadline for expressions of interest is August 30.
