Russian companies plan vertically-integrated monocrystalline module factory
The manufacturing facility is planned to be built in Russia’s Astrakhan region thanks to an investment of 1.5 billion RUB (around US$26.5 million).
Portuguese grid operator to invest €70 million to accommodate more solar
Overall, the grid improvement is expected to enable at least 800 MW of new solar PV plants to come online in the south of the country.
Enel switches on 103 MW solar plant in the Brazilian state of Bahia
The $110 million project is expected to generate 220 GWh per year.
Belgium plans big off-shore solar projects in the North Sea
A few days after the first grid-connected off-shore solar PV project was announced in the Netherlands, the Belgian government has unveiled plans to make the North Sea a solar energy hub.
The future looks bright for solar energy development in Mexico
Mexico is set to become the largest solar PV market in Latin America, with around 2 GW of installs expected annually. Political and regulatory uncertainty do not appear to be affecting investor interest, with more opportunities than challenges present. pv magazine attended GTM Research’s Solar Summit Mexico last week to report on the latest developments in the Mexican market.
The weekend read: Tracker market is adapting to bifacial module technology
Solar tracker makers are bringing specially designed models to the market in order to embrace the coming wave of bifacial panels. While bifacial panels may capture up to 10% more light than monofacial panels, single-axis trackers typically add 25% to that bifacial gain, resulting in a roughly estimated 12.5% gain from the two technologies combined, compared with fixed installs using monofacial panels.
Aurora Solar Tech infrared tool upgraded for HJT cell measurement
The Canadian firm’s Decima Gemini infrared measurement technology has been updated to measure performance and characteristics of transparent conductive oxide layers key in heterojunction cell technology.
US regulators open markets to energy storage
As the conclusion of a 15-month rule-making, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will require grid operators to value the contributions of energy storage, and begins a process to look at how aggregated distributed energy resources can compete in wholesale markets.
Sonnedix PV portfolio grows 46.7 MW with acquisition of 12 Spanish plants
The 46.7 MW worth of acquisitions will make the firm one of the largest in Spain, with Sonnedix now operating a worldwide capacity of 703 MW.
Vattenfall signs 3 PPAs for 38 MW of PV in the Netherlands
The Swedish power company has signed three private power purchase agreements (PPAs) for solar PV power plants totaling 38 MW in the city of Uden.
