UK council has finance decisions removed after splurge on solar projects
The local authority in Thurrock, England, has had control of its financial decisions passed to neighboring Essex County Council after racking up debts of more than GBP 1 billion ($1.1 billion) over four years, including more than GBP 800 million invested in solar bonds.
Solar tech theft rising in Germany amid supply bottlenecks
The Saxony State Criminal Police Office in Germany has blamed the energy crisis and growing solar demand for an increase in the theft of modules and inverters.
Storing renewables with seawater batteries
Scientists in Germany have studied how seawater batteries could be used for renewables storage and desalination.
Dutch agency investigates cybersecurity of PV inverters after hack
Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands launched a probe after a hacker gained access to PV systems operated via a monitoring tool from China’s Solarman. A company spokesperson told pv magazine that the problem has since been resolved.
Australian pumped hydro storage project secures funding
The government of New South Wales, Australia, has announced funding for five pumped hydro schemes spread across the state, as it looks to deliver large-scale energy storage and firming capacity.
Solar companies consider reduced income to help UK households
Solar Energy UK members have made positive noises about a plan to shift historic, fixed-payment incentive contracts over to contracts-for-difference deals, which would limit the profits they would receive from soaring energy prices.
Shell, Green Tie Capital to jointly deploy 2 GW of PV in Spain
Shell, with a portfolio of more than 1 GW in Spain, will team up with Green Tie Capital, which has developed more than 3 GW of ground-mounted PV projects.
Australian state launches first solar garden
Haystacks, Australia’s first large-scale solar garden, has opened up solar “plots” for households in New South Wales that are unable to install rooftop systems.
Hungary concludes fourth renewables auction with average price of $0.062/kWh
Hungary’s latest renewables auction involved just 12 successful projects, with contracts for around 864 GWh of power.
Axpo commissions 2.2 MW vertical alpine PV project on dam
Axpo said its new 2.2 MW system is the largest alpine solar plant in Switzerland. It is expected to supply around 3.3 million kWh of electricity per year, with an above-average electricity yield in the winter months.
