Chinese PV Industry Brief: Aiko Solar wins 1 GW BC module bid in Datang tender
Aiko Solar has won a 1 GW back-contact (BC) module bid in China Datang Group’s 22.5 GW tender, while CNNC Photovoltaic announced a 19.7% efficiency rating for a perovskite module and plans to launch a perovskite production line later this year.
Philippines issues terms for renewables auction with storage
Pairing solar plants with battery energy storage systems (BESS) will be the main strategic focus for the country’s upcoming renewable energy auction. Each project must have a minimum storage duration of four hours to ensure sufficient grid support and energy reliability.
Electricity prices fall across major European markets
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says average electricity prices fell across Europe last week, but France, Germany and Italy all broke their records for solar production on a single day in March.
‘Gender equity benefits everyone in the workplace’
This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Miriam Rodríguez, President of Spain’s Electra Energy S. Coop. She says one of the most striking inequalities she encountered throughout her career was the difference in salaries between men and women in similar roles, the gender pay gap. “At one point, I discovered that a male colleague at my same business level was earning a higher salary. Fortunately, he realized the unfairness, and the salaries were adjusted,” she states.
West African climate finance platform seeks local experts
The West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance (WAA) is looking for experts in the region to support its work in its 17 member countries. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2025.
Eternit’s brazilian subsidiary abandons PV manufacturing
The Brazilian subsidiary of the Belgian company reports that the board of directors deliberated and approved the “discontinuation of the photovoltaic product line,” a decision prompted by Chinese competition. It launched its last module on the market in September 2024.
Scatec signs PPA for large-scale solar-plus-storage project in Egypt
Norway’s Scatec Asa has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Egypt Aluminium for a 1.1 GW solar plant with 100 MW/200 MWh of battery energy storage. The agreement has been billed as Egypt’s first utility-scale PPA with an industrial offtaker.
Dutch regulator launches probe into home solar feed-in costs, compensation
The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) says it will study how energy companies are incorporating home solar costs into prices, as feed-in costs have risen 10% over the past month.
New tool digitizes management of energy communities
CIRCE presents Communit-e, a software program to support the work of community managers, streamline management time and improve transparency among members.
Lenovo unveils solar laptop with integrated PV panel
This is a proof-of-concept 1.22 kg laptop with a solar panel integrated into the lid, capable of absorbing enough sunlight in 20 minutes to power the device’s video for an hour.
