Concentrating photovoltaic-thermal system with 91% efficiency
A global research team has developed a parabolic trough linear concentrating photovoltaic-thermal system to produce heat and electricity, for both residential and large-scale applications. The PV unit relies on Azure Space’s multi-junction solar cells, based on indium gallium phosphide (InGaP), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and germanium (Ge).
kWh Analytics unveils tool to address optimistic pricing, underperformance in PV projects
Jigar Shah, the president of Generate Capital, says that accuracy will come with the use of “objective market data.”
Nuclear ‘not an effective low carbon option’
Researchers in the UK have analyzed 25 years of electricity-production and carbon emissions data from 123 countries. Their findings show renewables are considerably more effective than nuclear in reducing carbon emissions from energy generation and that the two technologies tend to get in each other’s way when considered in a joint approach.
Floating PV paired with hydroelectric dams to cover peak load
A research team from Pakistan has modeled the addition of a floating PV array to an existing dam project to increase the availability of power during peak load hours.
Total-EDF secure 1.35 GW of Indian solar in four months
The generation capacity – three 450 MWp projects in the state of Rajasthan – is expected to be commissioned towards early 2022.
Swiss solar monitoring start-up raises $272,000
SmartHelio claims to have witnessed a near 200% jump in demand for its deep-data driven solar asset management solution, which plugs into solar panels or energy storage systems. Sales of the internet-of-things enabled, cloud product have leapt in the last six months.
Swiss developer wants to deploy 107 MW in Italian industrial zone
Comoil SA is seeking approval for two solar plants with capacities of 62.2 MW and 44.8 MW. It wants to install them in an industrial zone in Macchiareddu, Sardinia.
ACS Group to sell renewables unit to France’s Vinci
The Spanish construction conglomerate plans to sell off its ACS Industrial unit, which includes solar and wind project developer Cobra, to French infrastructure giant Vinci.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: 10 GW for Canadian Solar in Jiangsu
Canadian Solar has agreed to invest $1.5 billion in a 10 GW solar cell and module factory in eastern China. GCL New Energy, meanwhile, has revealed the terms of a plan to sell a solar project portfolio to state-owned Huaneng.
Solar secures 95.5 MW in Italy’s third renewables auction
The Italian authorities have awarded four solar projects in yet another undersubscribed renewables tender, with the nation’s top clean energy association criticizing the auctions for being uncompetitive. The lowest price for PV came in at €0.064 ($0.075)/kWh.
