Hybrid wind-solar may have a shading problem
Scientists in the Netherlands are seeking to assess how hybrid wind-solar projects may be impacted by the shade produced by the wind tower and wind turbine blades on the PV facility. According to them, the slow movement of the wind unit’s shadow can be easily incorporated into project design.
Sunseap connects 23 MW in Vietnam under FIT regime
The developer said it installed and commissioned seven solar rooftops in just three months despite Covid-19 travel restrictions.
US scientists claim PV system owners subsidize their non-PV neighbors
Researchers at the Michigan Technological University claim to have demonstrated that PV system owners in the United Stated are unjustly subsidizing electric utilities. Their analysis showed that, thanks to rooftop PV, utilities and their non-PV customers can save money from avoided costs for new grid, reserve, and generation capacity, as well as for avoided operation and maintenance and environmental and health liabilities due to fossil fuel power generation.
Augwind’s compressed air tech for renewables storage
Augwind CEO Or Yogev recently spoke to pv magazine about the Israeli company’s new storage solution for the renewables sector. The underground compressed-air storage specialist recently secured 166 MWh of capacity in Israel’s latest solar+storage tender, and plans to take equity stakes in all five projects.
Excess renewables production to make fuel, chemicals and feedstocks for industry
The University of New South Wales and several other universities in Australia are embarking on a feasibility study into how New South Wales can utilize excess renewable energy to make fuel, chemicals, and feedstocks for the industry. The aim is to develop a plan for how fuels and chemicals such as green hydrogen and ammonia produced from renewables can decarbonize the industry.
Macquarie’s second renewable energy fund raises €1.6bn for large scale investment
Macquarie-owned Green Investment Group’s Renewable Energy Fund 2 has far exceeded its own expectations by raising over €1.6 billion in investment commitments for large scale solar and wind projects all over the world.
Brazil’s PV module demand reached almost 5 GW in 2020
According to a recent report from Brazilian consultancy Greener, the country imported 4.76 GW last year. Domestic PV module makers had a 3.8% market share with around 190 MW in shipped modules. The analyst also revealed that prices for distributed generation PV systems rose by 20% in 2020.
Italy’s next renewables auction may deliver even worse result
The poor outcome of Italy’s recent auctions for large scale solar suggests that the next tender will have similar results. pv magazine has spoken with two major experts from the Italian PV sector who claim that a change of pace is required, hinging on a streamlined authorization process, more competition and a focus on agricultural land.
GCL-Poly dilutes holding in developer business to raise funds
The poly maker yesterday secured approval from unpaid creditors to restructure the company’s debts and will commit the anticipated $115 million windfall from its shares placement towards its financial commitments.
Indian developer signs PPAs for 13.2 MW of solar
Gujarat-based solar developer KPI Global has signed power supply agreements with nine different industrial customers for 13.15 MW of PV capacity.
