EU Council adopts new renewable energy directive
The European Council today announced policies aimed at targeting sectors – such as transport, industry and buildings – that are ‘slow’ to adopting the recently cemented 45% by 2030 renewable energy goal.
Recipe for expansion
After years of debate, the Indian government made domestic manufacturing a central feature of renewables policy in 2021. The pivot came as the government sought economic growth and self-sufficiency following a border conflict with China. Vinay Rustagi, managing director of Bridge to India, says that trade barriers, subsidies, lower taxes, and demand growth have created the perfect recipe for expansion.
Kenya’s first hybrid solar-hydro plant goes online
Located near Nairobi, the project consists of a 150 kW solar array, a 50 kW crossflow turbine and a 240 KWh storage facility. SolarNow director and CFO Ernst Vriesendorp told pv magazine that despite the project’s humble size, it has ‘large’ benefits.
Netherlands allocates $440 million for utility-scale batteries
The government of the Netherlands has allocated €416.6 million ($439.5 million) to fund the construction of utility-scale batteries connected to ground-mounted solar farms or large rooftop PV systems.
Edify energizes 150 MW/300 MWh battery in Australia
Edify Energy has commissioned the 150 MW/300 MWh Riverina and Darlington Point Energy Storage System in New South Wales, Australia.
U.S. utility-scale solar to more than double installations year-over-year
Over 10.4 GW was deployed in 2022, while 2023 totals may exceed 24 GW, said Lawerence Berkeley National Laboratory.
A reaction to Rystad’s recent estimates on European solar module stockpile
Rystad Energy has abruptly changed statements about photovoltaic module stocks in the EU. German PV analyst Karl-Heinz Remmers questions the numbers from the Norwegian consultancy and provides different figures.
1Komma5° announces TOPCon solar module factory in Germany
1Komma5° says it plans to start production at a new TOPCon solar module factory in Germany from next year. The Hamburg-based startup aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 1 GW, with further expansion targets set to reach 5 GW by the year 2030.
Becquerel Institute’s Data Hub aims to plug solar PV ‘information gap’
Consultancy firm, the Becquerel Institute, recently switched on its European Solar PV Data Hub, an online tool aiming to provide clear information about the solar PV industry. The organization’s COO, Philippe Macé, told pv magazine that the platform aims to provide users a way to access solar PV market data ‘easily,’ its other purpose is to shrink the industry’s ‘information gap.’
French startup raises funds to build 100 MW factory for ultralight solar modules
Heliup has raised €10 million ($10.5 million) to finance the construction of a PV panel manufacturing facility at an unspecified location in France.
