Patrick Jowett
ESIA releases action plan to support Europe’s PV manufacturing industry
The European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA) has published a 10-point action plan geared toward delivering 30 GW of EU solar manufacturing capacity by 2030. It includes calls for targeted financial support, sustainability standards for PV units, and the development of a European Solar Academy and European PV Passport.
Chad opens tender for solar-diesel hybrid projects with battery storage
The authorities in Chad have launched a tender for solar-diesel hybrid projects with battery storage, featuring a combined 4 MW of solar capacity and 2 MWh of daily storage.
Romania connects largest battery storage system to date
Romanian developer Monsson has installed a 24 MWh battery storage system as the first stage of a 216 MWh project. The storage unit forms part of Romania’s first hybrid PV-wind-battery system.
‘Protectionism only protects backwardness’
Following news the EU will investigate unspecified Chinese wind turbine suppliers in Europe, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning has said “many in the world are deeply unsettled by the EU’s rising protectionist tendency”.
Coalition to store energy with electric vessels on River Thames
A coalition of organizations are working to position battery-powered vessels on the River Thames to store and feed electricity back into the grid. They say the approach will increase London’s flexible energy capacity and reduce peak electricity demand.
South African data center specialist to build 12 MW of solar
Africa Data Centres’ new solar farm in South Africa’s Free State will begin as a 12 MW array. It will initially service its Cape Town site, before extending to supply power to the company’s facilities in Johannesburg.
Ivory Coast planning 678 MW of solar
The Ivory Coast’s Ministry of Mines, Oil, and Energy has unveiled plans to build 12 solar plants with a total capacity of 678 MW.
Negative electricity prices registered in nearly all European energy markets
Spanish consultancy AleaSoft Energy Forecasting recorded negative hourly electricity prices for all but one European energy market it analyzed during the first week of April, including in the Spanish and Portuguese markets for the first time. It also registered an all-time production record for photovoltaic energy in Portugal and the second highest value ever recorded in Italy.
UK records 189,000 new solar installations for 2023
Independent Advisor Solar says there were 189,826 MCS-certified solar installations in the United Kingdom last year, up 37.5% year on year. The researchers have also identified the 10 regions with the most solar panels installations to date.
Tender opens for solar, storage in Togo
The World Bank’s Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project is funding a tender for solar and storage in Togo, with a bid deadline of June 4.
