Policy

Held once a decade since 1994, the fourth International Conference on Small Island developing states (SIDS) began this week in St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda with a strong message: That major changes to international finance are needed to create a level playing field for sustainable development in the world’s island nations, and that larger nations and industries bear responsibility for the impacts of climate change, and must do more to honor commitments towards their mitigation.

Perovskite PV devices are set to become the next big thing in solar with market analysts at S&P Global Commodity Insights predicting 1 GW of production by the end of 2024, rising to 6 GW in 2025. Perovskite tandem devices are at the front of the queue for commercialization but their characterization presents technical challenges.

A new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) examines the global energy system’s transformation and its implications for energy security. It tells policymakers that energy security in renewables-based systems will require multi-dimensional thinking.

The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has voiced support for the inclusion of non-price criteria in auctions for solar modules, as laid out in the EU Net Zero Industry Act. The council’s recommendation paper also calls for member states to adopt the act as quickly as possible and highlights concern around cybersecurity and data security in relation to Chinese inverters.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Oana Ijdelea, the founder and managing partner of Romanian law firm Ijdelea & Associates. She says there is no objective blockage impeding women from pursuing a career in the renewable sector. There is, however, a vicious circle where women may become reluctant to apply for a position where males appear to be more present, and on the other hand, the lack of female presence in such roles does not encourage other women to step in.

Danish citizens will once again be able to apply for heat pump subsidies from May 27. A DKK 17,000 ($2,469) grant will be available for air-to-water pumps and DKK 27,000 for liquid-to-water heat pumps.

The requirements of measures such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) mean that solar panel prices in the United States can be twice as much as in Europe.

The Israeli authorities have proposed a plan to deploy 250 MW of floating solar and agrivoltaics through four PV plants in the Negev Desert near Ramon Airport.

A new research paper urges the Saudi Arabian government to improve consumer knowledge of renewable energy to encourage the adoption of solar by domestic consumers.

The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), a Jakarta-based think tank, is advocating for power wheeling to be implemented in Indonesia. It says it would create a renewable energy market and have a positive impact on industrial investment.