Policy

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.

Indonesia’s new renewable energy bill will include legislation allowing power wheeling, enabling private companies to sell electricity directly to end consumers via networks owned by the state-run electricity company.

Italy’s regional governments approved 3.358 MW of solar in the first half of this year, with Sicily leading by approving around one-third of the total new capacity.

With Europe’s grids ripe for upgrade and expansion, pv magazine’s Carrie Hampel examines community acceptance of energy infrastructure projects and some of the issues involved. Communication between communities and stakeholders is a two-way street.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Olga Kovalchuk, Head of Finance and Investment – Managing Director at Germany’s Goldbeck Solar. She says that the underrepresentation of women in STEM subjects affects the pipeline of women entering both the renewable and traditional energy sectors, though this is gradually improving with more targeted educational initiatives. “The gender pay gap is ever-present and, given how much pay is linked to performance in senior positions, the underrepresentation has a knock-on effect on the gender pay gap for the industry,” she stated.

Researchers have simulated the operation of seven renewable energy communities in the Port of Naples and found them to offer lower life cycle costs. Using varying capacities of solar and wave energy, they were able to optimize the system to a 90% self-consumption rate. They also offered a scheme for the management of a port energy community.

The Spanish authorities have approved 7.2 GW of new PV projects so far this year, with 3.1 GW authorized in the second quarter alone.

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has imposed a 10% import tariff on solar panels to protect local manufacturers, attract investment, and deepen the value chain. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association has questioned the lack of formal industry engagement, calling the timing “not ideal.”

Homeowners in the Canadian province of British Columbia who install rooftop solar and battery energy storage systems will soon be able to apply for up to CAD 10,000 ($7,341) in rebates from electric utility B.C. Hydro.

Over 5,800 solar panels manufactured by Italy’s Enel have been delivered to Ukraine to help power healthcare facilties.