Ecostal Group acquires Solexis
Ecostal Group, a B2B solar specialist, has acquired Swiss PV equipment distributor Solexis. The group says the merger will expand its operations in Switzerland.
Actis invests in 3.5 GW/4.5 GWh of solar-plus-storage in Philippines
Private equity investor Actis has become a strategic partner in a 3.5 GW/4.5 GWh solar-plus-storage project in the Philippines. The project is poised to become the world’s largest integrated renewables and energy storage installation upon completion. Actis is investing $600 million for a 40% equity stake.
India proposes ALMM mandate for solar cells from April
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has started accepting feedback on draft guidelines for the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells. The MNRE plans to implement the guidelines from April 2026.
Bolivia picks companies from China, Italy, France, Australia for lithium projects
The Bolivian National Strategic Public Company for Lithium Deposits (YLB) says it has selected companies from China, Italy, France, and Australia to negotiate lithium exploitation projects and evaluate their mineral processing proposals.
Australian authorities approve 600 MW/1,200 MWh of solar-plus-storage
The Australian federal government has approved a 600 MW/1,200 MWh solar farm and battery energy storage system in the state of New South Wales.
France records 233 hours of negative electricity prices in H1
KiloWattSol, an independent solar consultancy, says there were 308 hours of negative electricity prices from the start of 2024 to Aug. 23 – more than double the 147 negative hours recorded in 2023.
Terpyridine-passivated perovskite solar cells achieve 25.24% efficiency
An international team of researchers demonstrated perovskite solar cells treated with a molecular passivator based on π-conjugated terpyridine Lewis-base molecules that achieved 25.24% power conversion efficiency, with 90% retained after 2,664 hours of light exposure. The treatment reportedly works at high concentrations without damaging the perovskite film or diminishing cell performance. A protocol was published to reproduce the results, opening the door to testing it on a range of perovskite absorbers.
Citroën lightweight compact EV equipped with solar kits
La Croisière Verte is the name of a 13,500 km expedition from the north to south of Africa in a fleet of four Citroën AMI vehicles, each carrying 5,600 W of lightweight PV panels in foldable packs.
The Hydrogen Stream: H2Mare project links electrolyzers to wind turbine
The German government says that the H2Mare OffgridWind project in Denmark has connected two electrolyzers to a wind turbine for hydrogen production, while Ontras Gastransport and H2 Energy Europe have agreed to define the technical and commercial framework for hydrogen transportation in its Green Octopus Mitteldeutschland pipeline project.
Eskom runs tender for 19.5 MW of solar in South Africa
A tender is underway in South Africa for the design, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of a 19.5 MW solar plant at the site of an existing 105.8 MW wind farm in the western part of the country. The deadline for applications is Sept. 12.
