BASF begins building 50 MW industrial heat pump
Germany’s BASF has begun constructing an industrial-scale heat pump that will use electricity from renewables to produce up to 500,000 MT of CO2-free steam each year. Commissioning is scheduled for mid-2027.
Silver price surge drives PV makers to cut silver usage further
The price of silver rose above $44 per ounce this week after gaining more than 30% in six months, with silver expert Philip Newman telling pv magazine it could exceed $50 per ounce next year, raising pressure on PV module makers to curb silver use.
Survey backs Australia solar plan, doubts linger over Singapore exports
A Charles Darwin University study shows strong support for SunCable’s planned Australia-Asia PowerLink, but weaker approval for exporting its power to Singapore.
Scientists report experimental breach of Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit for silicon solar cell
A Chinese-US research group claims to have achieved a power conversion efficiency of over 50% in an n-type single-junction solar cell by inhibiting light conversion to heat at extremely low temperatures. The result was achieved at temperatures of 30-50 Kelvin, which are a few tens of degrees above absolute zero.
Qcells secures release of detained South Korean solar cells for US factories
US Customs has released Qcells’ South Korean solar cell imports for its Georgia factories after detaining them under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
China Three Gorges commissions world’s largest PV-CSP solar plant
Hybrid project pairs a 100 MW linear Fresnel concentrated solar power (CSP) with a 900 MW PV facility, delivering 24-hour output and demonstrating large-scale storage integration.
Solar can boost Mauritania’s artisanal fishing sector, says IRENA
A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says transitioning to solar-powered energy sources could help lower energy costs and bring more resilience to Mauritania’s artisanal fishing value chain.
Ukrainian city switches on solar arrays for local water utility
Solar systems with a combined capacity of 340 kW have been switched on at three water supply and wasterwater facilites in the west Ukrainian city of Chortkiv, designed to provide residents with uninterrupted water supply.
Europe’s largest sodium-ion battery installation goes live
Switzerland’s Phenogy has launched a megawatt-hour-scale sodium ion energy storage system at a commercial site near Bremen Airport in northern Germany. With this project, the Swiss manufacturer is making its debut on the European energy storage scene, backed by ambitions to develop fully vertically integrated local manufacturing.
Mexico launches tender for 300 MW solar plant
Mexican state-owned utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) is seeking proposals for the Puerto Peñasco Secuencia III solar plant, which will also include 103 MW of battery capacity.
