UN-backed fund to support solar businesses in Burkina Faso
A fund backed by the United Nations and the government of Luxembourg is helping companies to provide small solar PV systems and innovative cooking stoves in the economically challenged West African nation.
Electricity access aims prompt fresh $120m in loans and grants for African off-grid solar
Benin has obtained a $21.1 million loan from the investment and development bank of the Economic Community of West African States and Burundi will benefit from a $160 million World Bank donation, $100 million of which will be dedicated to solar energy.
Incentives for small solar-plus-storage in Austria and Italy
Rebates are being offered to homeowners and businesses willing to couple small solar systems with energy storage.
Project developers can secure cash from new IRENA funding pot
The Climate Investment Platform launched by three multilateral bodies in September is now open for business and renewables companies in developing nations could qualify for help with clean energy facilities, renewables-related grid improvements and energy efficiency schemes.
Desalinating water with mobile solar-powered devices
A U.K. research team has developed a desalination mechanism that could offer a new way to provide drinking water and irrigate remote areas affected by natural disasters. Although the portable device is still in an initial, experimental phase, it can be powered by solar energy, as it has no moving parts and only requires small amounts of electricity.
Solar will turn vicious water-energy-climate cycle into virtuous loop
The International Water Management Institute is promoting the Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) initiative to expand the use of solar irrigation systems throughout Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Proponents of solar irrigation pumps say that they can have a strong positive impact on groundwater.
German scientists develop solar facade with 50% higher yield
The three-meter prototype consists of nine panels based on an aluminum compound. The PV elements of the facade can be tilted to capture more sunlight.
Energy community provisions for Italy
New measures introduced by the government allow households, businesses and public entities to produce and trade clean electricity in low-voltage grids. The new framework is open to power projects with a generation capacity no larger than 200 kW.
Indian energy efficiency body pledges 1.5 GW of distributed solar within 13 months
Energy Efficiency Services Limited, which has already bagged orders for 800 MW of distributed solar installations in the state of Maharashtra and 113 MW in Rajasthan, says it will roll out the generation facilities by the end of the next fiscal year.
Wireless sensing for remote operation of off-grid tracker solar
Researchers in Thailand are proposing a wireless monitoring solution for PV in remote locations. The system, based on global standard ZigBee 2.4 GHz wireless technology, can read data and tilt solar panels in auto and manual modes.
