Policy

In five key trends, pv magazine looks back over a year that saw PV module prices fall lower than many thought possible, while demand was restrained by grid congestion, among other challenges. Energy storage has had a strong year and geopolitics is seeing solar and battery manufacturing enter new regions as competition drives technical innovation.

The world has lost a forward-thinking clean energy proponent, who 44 years ago recommended a solar strategy to move the United States toward energy security by using abundant, clean energy sources.

The South African government has named preferred bidders for 16 renewable energy projects, totaling ZAR 44.2 billion ($2.4 billion) in investments, to drive solar and battery development.

Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) has allocated 600 MW of solar at $0.036/kWh in its 1 GW solar tender, with Acme Solar, Adani Renewable Energy, and ReNew emerging as winners.

The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) has approved 79 MW and 50 MW battery storage projects in Suffolk County, New York state. It is granting Key Capture Energy capacity and dispatch rights under 20-year power purchase agreements (PPA).

Funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s Empowering Rural America Program is available to rural electric cooperatives in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Texas.

China’s first zero-carbon highway, the 152.7 km Jinan-Hefei Highway, has opened for traffic, featuring renewable energy systems, advanced tracking technology, and design elements aimed at cutting net carbon emissions by 9,000 tons per year.

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has finalized a $1.45 billion loan guarantee to Hanwha Qcells to support its solar plant in the state of Georgia. It aims to rebuild key parts of the US solar supply chain by manufacturing ingots, wafers, cells and solar modules.

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Carol Murphy, Head of Independent Engineering for Onshore Renewables at UK-based OWC. She say, with more women joining the solar sector, it’s easier than ever to connect with peers across roles and organizations. “To any woman looking to enter this field, my advice would be to persevere. No matter the obstacles you encounter, if you’re passionate about a career in solar, there is a place for you,” she states.

Greece is pursuing an ambitious island energy transition program. pv magazine visited the island of Tilos for a firsthand account of how one community has blazed a trail in the energy transition.