Markets

Indosolar, a subsidiary of Waaree Energies, has started production at its new 1.3 GW solar module manufacturing facility in India.

The IEA Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme’s (IEA-PVPS) latest report on solar panel recycling offers a comprehensive review of all existing technologies in this market segment, from pure mechanical recycling to innovative techniques such as as light pulse treatment, water-jet cleaning, pyrolysis, and chemical treatments.

New research from Switzerland showed that alpine floating PV systems can outperform lowland or ground-mounted counterparts in terms of energy yield and sustainability. The scientists found that the main material-reduction potential of such floating PV installations lies in the resource-intensive mounting system.

Though it already hosts several of the world’s largest PV installations, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s solar industry is still young, with limited local infrastructure and expertise. Project developers are learning quickly that building PV in harsh desert environments requires a careful eye on quality. New testing laboratories are looking to meet demand.

The French authorities have concluded a commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop PV tender with an average price of €0.1016 ($0.11)/kWh. The government allocated 179.9 MW of PV capacity in total.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Mary Riccio-Kjærgaard, CEO and owner of Danish PV installer Risskov Teknik & Solar Aps. She explains how the idea of leadership is still being negatively influenced by cultural stereotypes and says women can accomplish more and go further by simply being “female leaders.”

Magna Exteriors and Woodburn Capital Partners have signed a 15-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA) in Czechia. The agreement covers energy generated on-site at a 2.4 MW solar plant located at Magna Exteriors’ site in the northwestern part of the country.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the Tropical Storm Beryl caused a large but temporary dip in solar generation potential across Texas on July 8. However, cross-referencing with grid operator reports revealed that very little production went offline due to the storm, showing the resilience of Texas’ solar infrastructure.

The Chinese government is launching an investigation to determine whether the European Union is blocking Chinese solar investments.

SolarPower Europe argues in a new position paper that regulators and policymakers should create a sector-specific strategy to address the growing threat of cyberattacks.