Sun-tracking floating solar islands from Portugal
Portugal-based Solaris Float has developed a swiveling floating solar platform with one- or two-axis tracking. It has installed its first project on a lake in the Netherlands. The project consists of 130 PV modules on a single-axis tracker, with an installed capacity of 50.7 kW.
Novel soiling loss measurement system for PV installations
An international research group has developed new technology to measure soiling losses in PV installations, by using a simple pocket light. They said the new system offers similar performance to their reference devices.
BayWa, Velux sign Europe’s first agrivoltaics-linked PPA
Germany’s BayWa r.e. and Denmark’s Velux have announced the first agrivoltaic corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) in Europe. BayWa will build two solar parks in Spain to power Velux’s operations, with capacities of 60 MWp and 56 MWp. One of them will partly be an agricultural PV project.
X-Elio flicks switch on 200 MW solar project in Australia
The 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm has been officially launched in the Australian state of Queensland, with Spanish developer X-Elio saying that the AUD 215 million ($145.3 million) project has achieved full commercial operations.
Ernst & Young ranks India, China, US as world’s most attractive solar markets
India is the top market for solar investment, according to the latest edition of Ernst & Young’s renewables attractiveness index. Spain, Germany and the United States are the top three markets for corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Strategically timed, transnational exchange of solar energy
Argentina and Chile are reactivating the Andes Interconnection Line to facilitate the bidirectional exchange of energy. During the day, Argentina will receive 80 MW of solar from Chile, but it will export back 200 MW of natural gas at night.
Italy’s Key Energy positions agrivoltaics, utility storage as new market drivers
The latest edition of Key Energy, Italy’s top solar event, shows that the nation is once again poised for growth. It also shows that incentive schemes can turn agrivoltaics and large-scale storage into market drivers like rooftop and ground-mounted PV.
Roadmap to increase solar acceptance
The PV sector has significant implications for the economy, society and the environment. Positive impacts show that PV is a key contributor on the path to sustainability, and that highlighting these benefits could raise social and political acceptance in the transition to sustainable energy.
Danish consortium builds 1 MW/20 MWh molten salt thermal storage facility
Hyme Energy and Bornholms Energi & Forsyning are building a pilot project to store clean electricity with molten salt. The system will likely start providing heat, power and ancillary services by 2024.
Fortescue plans 10 GW wind-solar hub for green hydrogen in Australia
Fortescue Future Industries has revealed plans to work with Windlab to develop a renewable energy “Super Hub” in Australia.
