Patrick Jowett
Assessing viability of agrivoltaics in corn fields
Researchers from Purdue University have studied the impact of traditional photovoltaic systems and agrivoltaics deployed in corn croplands. They conclude agrivoltaics could offer a viable strategy to ease the current tradeoff between energy production, greenhouse gas emissions, food production and farm profitability.
Q Energy secures €50.4 million for Europe’s biggest floating PV project
Renewables developer Q Energy has closed €50.4 million ($55.7 million) in financing for a 74.3 MW floating solar plant in northeastern France. Construction is already underway, with commissioning planned for the first quarter of next year.
Italian NGO seeking contractors to repair 100 kWp minigrid in DRC
AVSI Foundation, an Italian NGO, has launched a tender to repair a 100 kWp minigrid in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project involves replacing the battery energy storage and conversion systems. Applications are due Nov. 4.
Europe’s weekly electricity prices surge on higher gas costs
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says higher weekly average gas prices and increased electricity demand significantly affected electricity prices last week. In all analyzed markets, bar the Nordic market, the weekly average price exceeded €75 ($82.90)/MWh.
Grenada seeking bids for 15.1 MW of airport solar
Grenada’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission is seeking expressions of interest for 15.1 MW of solar at Maurice Bishop International Airport. The project may also include a 10.6 MW/21.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The deadline for submissions is Sept. 20.
Finland to build world’s largest air-to-water heat pump plant
Helen, a Helsinki-based energy company, has unveiled plans for a large-scale district heating plant complex. Germany’s MAN Energy Solutions is supplying a 33 MW air-to-water heat pump, the largest ever used for a district-heating plant, with ambient air and renewable electricity for heat generation.
QatarEnergy to build 2 GW solar plant
QatarEnergy has unveiled plans for a 2 GW solar project in western Qatar, which will more than double the country’s cumulative installed solar capacity.
ACWA Power secures $2.6 billion for 5.5 GW of solar in Saudi Arabia
ACWA Power has obtained $2.6 billion through a consortium of banks for three solar plants in Saudi Arabia, with a combined capacity of 5.5 GW.
Fiji launches tender for ground-mounted solar
Energy Fiji Ltd. has started accepting bids for the development, operation and maintenance of three ground-mounted solar plants in Fiji with a combined capacity of 21.93 MW. The deadline for applications is Oct. 30.
MET Group completes 23.4 MW of solar in Hungary
Switzerland-based energy producer MET Group has finished building a 23.4 MW solar project in eastern Hungary. It will generate enough energy to supply around 13,000 local homes and has a life expectancy of 30 years.
