Christmas Day forecast delivers solar surprises for some
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that, while much of the Americas will see cloudier weather than normal for the season, particularly in the eastern United States and parts of central Brazil, Europe’s solar outlook is split with high pressure over central regions bringing clearer skies to the Iberian Peninsula. Across Asia, cloud cover is expected for India and the Far East, while Australia’s northern and eastern regions are likely to enjoy abundant sunshine.
Scientist develops machine-learning method to identify faulty solar panels
A scientist in Sweden has developed a new hybrid local features-based method using thermographs to identify faulty solar panels.
Making Greece’s islands energy self sufficient
Greece is pursuing an ambitious island energy transition program. pv magazine visited the island of Tilos for a firsthand account of how one community has blazed a trail in the energy transition.
UK adds 1.2 GW solar in 12 months, step change needed to hit 2030 target
Government solar capacity figures reveal 2024 additions down on same period in 2023, well below pace required to achieve 45 GW targeted for 2030. Small-scale installations dominate with greater capacity additions needed to achieve clean power goals.
Solar advances across MENA region
The fossil fuel rich Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces mounting pressure to diversify its energy mix. While solar is cheap, it faces significant sociopolitical and economic challenges.
EU solar installations hit 65.5 GW in 2024, says SolarPower Europe
Solar installations grew 4% year on year in the European Union in 2024, down sharply from 53% growth in 2023. The slowdown coincides with a decline in solar investment, marking the first such drop this decade. SolarPower Europe now forecasts annual growth of 3% to 7% in solar installations from 2025 to 2028.
Germany deploys 1 GW of PV in November
Germany installed 1 GW of solar power in November, bringing its cumulative capacity to 97.55 GW by the end of the month.
ABB to acquire Gamesa’s power electronics, storage business
ABB has agreed to purchase Gamesa’s power electronics and storage business, which produces doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind converters, industrial battery energy storage systems (BESS), and utility-scale solar inverters.
SDIC Gansu commissions 750 MW CSP-PV plant in China
SDIC Gansu New Energy has commissioned the 750 MW Akesai Huidong CSP-PV plant in Jiuquan, China’s Gansu province, combining a 110 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) tower and a 640 MW solar array to form China’s largest hybrid solar facility.
Romania allocates 432 MW of PV at average price of €0.051/kWh in first renewables auction
The Romanian authorities have allocated 1.52 GW of renewable energy capacity in a procurement exercise, with the lowest bid for PV technology at €0.045 ($0.047)/kWh.
