Solitek launches solar carport for residential, commercial applications
Lithuania-based Solitek has launched a carport product line featuring 370 W glass-glass frameless modules. It is designed to withstand a snow load of up to 2.5 kN/m2 and 27m/s of wind loads.
China’s renewable energy capacity tops 1.4 TW
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) says the nation’s renewables capacity includes 420 GW of hydropower, 404 GW of wind power, 536 GW of PV, and 44 GW of biomass.
California rooftop solar installations drop 80% following new net metering rules
Over 17,000 layoffs have occurred, representing 22% of the industry. More job losses are expected.
Swiss consortium switches on 325 kW vertical PV system on retaining wall
K2 Systems and Solarmotion deployed the vertical array on a retaining wall along a car road in the Swiss canton of Appenzell Ausserhoden. The system utilizes 756 glass-glass modules and is operating under Switzerland’s feed-in tariff program.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Tongwei, Canadian Solar announce new factories
Tongwei is planning a cell and module factory in the Sichuan province, while Canadian Solar is setting up a new wafer factory in the Jiangsu province.
European Solar production a mixed bag in November due to Baltic Low Pressure, Storm Ciarán
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that Ireland, the west coast of Great Britain, Northern Italy, and the rest of Eastern Europe saw 10-30% above average November irradiance while other areas saw lower or close to average irradiance than normal.
Brazil’s solar capacity hits 34.9 GW, surpassing wind in national energy mix
Solar, at 34.9 GW of installed capacity, now accounts for 15.8% of Brazil’s energy mix, ranking second after hydroelectric plants at 49%, but ahead of wind power at 12.2%, according to the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (Absolar).
Poland allocates 494 MW of solar in 2023 auctions
Poland’s Energy Regulatory Office has awarded 494 MW of solar in largely unsubscribed auctions this year. It allocated 123 MW for installations smaller than 1 MW with the lowest bid of PLN 284.95 ($71.28)/MWh, and 471 MW for projects larger than 1 MW with the lowest bid of PLN 272.91/MWh.
Emissions, aerosols negatively affect PV productivity, say Australian engineers
A study by engineers at Australia’s University of New South Wales (UNSW) shows that aerosols and greenhouse gas emissions reduce the productivity of PV installations, with variations across regions.
Croatia’s solar streak marred by 4-year finalization waiting times
Zvonimir Meštrović, head of solar business development at Croatian energy company ENCRO, tells pv magazine that sunny days and an ideal political climate set the Balkan country up to harvest large volumes of solar. However, he says bureaucratic red tape is weighing down the industry.
