Patrick Jowett
Philippines announces 7th renewables auction
The country’s seventh green energy auction is set to procure rooftop, ground-mounted and floating solar projects across the Philippines, with increased allocation in Mindanao. The Department of Energy plans to release the auction’s terms of reference during the second quarter of this year.
Hydro-Quebec’s 300 MW solar tender oversubscribed
Canadian utility Hydro-Quebec has revealed the long list of bidders in its 300 MW solar tender. A total 60 bids were submitted with a cumulative capacity of 481 MW.
Switzerland to fund research on PV module, battery, heat pump recycling
The Swiss federal government has launched a funding call for research projects on energy and resource-efficient industrial processes, including the circular economy related to solar modules, batteries, heat pumps and electrolyzers. The deadline to submit pre-proposals is June 30.
Vietnam’s solar capacity surpasses 19 GW
Figures from the International Renewable Energy Agency state that Vietnam’s cumulative solar capacity reached 19,252 MW by the end of last year, indicating a 586 MW increase in 2025.
The solar support gap: Why do pro-solar citizens reject local projects?
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island explored why citizens who voiced pro-solar sentiments voted against a solar project development in a 2019 municipal referendum. Their analysis found objections over land use greatly outweigh proximity concerns.
OCI in talks with SpaceX for polysilicon supply
Media outlets in South Korea are reporting that Malaysia’s OCI TerraSus, a subsidiary of Seoul-headquartered chemicals company OCI Holdings, is in talks with SpaceX for a multi-year polysilicon supply contract.
Togo opens solar minigrid tender
The government of Togo is running a tender for the construction of solar minigrids in 27 rural localities. The deadline for applications is May 26.
France, Germany set daily solar records for April
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s latest analysis finds increased solar energy production and lower gas futures prices helped reduce electricity prices in most major European markets last week. Germany produced 426 GWh of solar on April 8, a record for a day in April. France also set a new April day record a day later, generating 136 GWh.
Vertical bifacial PV outperforms tilted PV systems in the UK
A year-long study in the UK finds vertical bifacial PV systems achieve an up to 26.91% higher output during morning hours compared to traditional tilted PV systems. The vertical bifacial system bettered the tilted system across all four seasons, with average power gains as high as 24.52% during winter.
Omani company to build 500 MW of solar in Botswana
Oman’s Naqaa Sustainable Energy LLC is set to design, finance, construct and operate a 500 MW solar project in northwestern Botswana. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place later this week.
