Climate disaster hits solar in southern Brazil
Heavy rains recently triggered floods in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state when Lake Guaíba and the Taquari River and Uruguay River overflowed, reaching more than 5.30 meters and affecting more than 1.95 million people. The death toll stands at 143, with 125 still missing. The authorities still have yet to assess the losses from submerged or affected PV plants.
Longi, Shanghai Electric withdraw from controversial EU tender
Consortia featuring subsidiaries of Chinese solar module maker Longi and Chinese industrial conglomerate Shanghai Electric have withdrawn from a public procurement tender for a solar park in Romania. The European Commission opened two anti-subsidy investigations into their involvement, which have now been closed.
Greece’s solar curtailment starts to bite
Greece added 1.59 GW of new solar capacity last year, and projections for the current year look strong. Curtailment remains the sector’s thorniest issue, however.
Barriers to residential PV in South Africa
A scoping review examining the barriers to residential PV installations in South Africa says that no studies have considered how income effects the the likelihood of households adopting rooftop solar. The researchers claim this is “a glaring omission given debates on just transitions.”
The effects of waves on membrane-based floating photovoltaics
A research group in China has tested how membrane-based floating PV platforms can operate in offgrid scenarios. Their analysis showed that, especially with high wave frequencies, this kind of floating PV installation may suffer from the floater bending stiffness, which could limit both in-plane and out-of-plane motion amplitude.
Georgia seeks consultants for 6.13 MW solar plant
The authorities in Georgia are soliciting consultants for a 6.13 MW solar plant. The consultants will prepare a feasibility study and technical specifications. The deadline for applications is June 10.
Solar, wind completely replace diesel at South Pole Station
Researchers from the Argonne National Laboratory have concluded that renewable energy could partially replace diesel fuel to power instruments and provide heat at the South Pole. They have proposed a solar, wind and energy storage hybrid that could reduce diesel consumption by 95% and save approximately $57 million over 15 years, after an initial investment of $9.7 million.
Standalone PV-plus-storage system for EV recharging
Indian scientists have designed an off-grid power system that relies on solar panels, lithium-ion batteries and Ćuk converters. The converters are the crucial components that enable the system to deal with varying input voltage due to changing sunlight conditions.
Midea unveils outdoor residential heat pump
Midea says its new outdoor residential Evox G3 Heat Pump ranges in size from 1.5 tons to 5 tons, with a coefficient of performance of 1.8. It features enhanced vapor injection technology and uses A2L as the refrigerant.
Enel starts commissioning 93 MW of solar in Australia
Italian energy company Enel says the commissioning of the 93 MW Girgarre Solar Farm in Australia is now underway. The power plant is expected to be fully operational early next year.
