Markets

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.

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.

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 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.

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. 

Meralco PowerGen Corp (MGen) has acquired an additional 5.8 billion shares in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) for PHP 7.5 billion ($133.8 million). It now holds a 50.5% stake in the business.

Cottam Solar Project secures approval through national infrastructure consent process. The 600 MW solar and storage development is the fourth major solar project to secure UK government approval in a three-month period.

Singapore-headquartered EliTe Solar says the first phase of work at the planned 8 GW solar manufacturing facility in northeastern Egypt will establish a 2 GW solar cell production line, scheduled for completion in September 2025. 

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Filipa Monteiro Martins, Renewables Innovation Unit Manager at Portuguese energy company Galp. She says that inclusion is a critical driver of long-term business success and innovation, especially in the renewable energy industry, where the ability to adapt and evolve is key.

JA Solar has reported a net loss of CNY 874 million ($123.3 million) for the first half of 2024, while Tongwei posted a loss of CNY 3.13 billion. TCL Zhonghuan and GCL Technology also recorded losses of CNY 3.06 billion and CNY 1.48 billion, respectively.