Markets

A Swiss research team published a review of the technologies used to manufacture of colored building integrated PV, discussing competitive characteristics of more than a dozen products, as well as success factors to drive market development.

Market analytics provider Aurora Energy Research has examined the potential for colocation of renewables with battery energy storage systems (BESS) across 12 European countries. It found that Germany, Great Britain, the Ireland I-SEM, and Poland are leading the pack.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will conduct economic and technological feasibility studies on two Bulgarian pumped storage hydropower plants due to be operational by 2032. The projects will each add generation capacity of around 800 MW and will both come with a price tag of around €900 ($964) million.

The 60 MW Kūihelani solar-plus-storage facility will generate enough electricity for 27,000 homes, with a 240 MWh battery energy storage system.

The two companies have partnered on a new venture that will bring 5 GW of solar cells and 5 GW of solar modules to U.S. and EU markets.

The city of Valencia, Spain, has installed solar trees to recharge small electric vehicles and mobile devices, with a total investment of about €370,000 ($395,600). Each solar tree can generate up to 5,600 kWh per year.

Cliantech Solutions says it will install a 1.2 GW,Cliantech to supply 1.2 GW automated production line for Alpex Solar
fully automated solar panel production line for Alpex Solar’s new factory in India.

A UK-based research team has calculated the global potential of deploying floating solar arrays on almost 68,000 lakes and reservoirs. It found some countries could generate the majority of their electricity needs from floating solar panels, while five could meet all their electricity demand.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, describes the possible consequences for PV plan and grid operators of a possible switch to La Niña conditions in North America. These conditions lead to more hurricanes, convection and cloudiness in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in decreased solar irradiance. In contrast, the Atlantic coast of the USA has historically seen up to 5-10% above-average irradiance during summer months in previous La Niña events.

Electricity system operator (ESO) plans to expand Demand Flexibility Service, financially rewarding consumers and businesses in Great Britain for reducing consumption at times of peak demand.