Negative electricity prices return to Europe
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s latest analysis finds most major European electricity markets recorded negative prices during the third week of April, particularly over the Easter weekend. The Portuguese and Spanish markets saw zero or negative prices across each day last week.
US solar industry to add 502 GW (DC) of capacity in next decade
Wood Mackenzie warns that policy uncertainty could significantly alter its projections for US solar industry growth. The research firm says the US solar industry will add 502 GW (DC) of capacity over the next decade, with annual installations surpassing 40 GWdc through 2035.
GoodWe unveils new solar carport
GoodWe BIPV has identified new applications for its Vela residential solar carport. The modular unit is gaining traction in rural and small commercial settings in Australia as an alternative to ground-mounted and rooftop PV systems.
Tariff uncertainty grips US battery development
The Trump administration’s China tariffs have piled atop existing and developing trade barriers on battery energy storage systems, components, and materials – destabilizing the US energy storage industry. While existing inventories will allow project development to move forward in the short term, uncertainty extends across the supply chain, including to prospective manufacturers.
Research shows how Japan’s PV market suffered from high feed-in tariffs
A team of researchers based in Japan and Sweden have found a correlation between higher feed-in tariffs and increased capital expenditures of solar projects in Japan. They suggest this may have led to a lack of incentive for developers to innovate or reduce costs, in turn inflating expenditure and hindering long-term market competitiveness.
AI helps UK DSO deliver 4.4 GWh of day-ahead flexibility in one year
UK Power Networks day-ahead flexibility market allows consumers with electric vehicles, heat pumps and batteries to participate in distribution, transmission and wholesale markets, according to the distribution system operator (DSO) for London, east and southeast England.
Azerbaijan inks three solar agreements with Chinese companies
The three projects comprise a 160 MW solar plant, a separate 100 MW solar facility and a 100 MW floating solar array with 30 MWh of accompanying battery energy storage. They will be implemented by Chinese companies working in collaboration with Azerbaijan-based developers.
Japan’s Toyo begins production at 2 GW solar cell plant in Ethiopia
Toyo Co. has started production at its 2 GW solar cell facility in Ethiopia, with plans to deliver more than 80 MW of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cells by the end of April before scaling capacity to 4 GW.
Germany allocates 2.63 GW in latest utility-scale PV tender
Germany’s latest auction for utility-scale solar concluded with prices ranging from €0.0399 ($0.0455)/kWh to €0.0488/kWh. The procurement exercise was significantly oversubscribed.
Moldova maintains rejection of four bids from renewables auction
Moldova has upheld the disqualification of four bids in its first renewables auction, citing inexperience, non-compliant bank guarantees, and missing prior approvals. The tender committee says it plans to assess the remaining bids by the end of the month.
