German researchers increase open circuit voltage of perovskite solar cells to 1.26 volts
The voltage is key to improving efficiency, the scientists say. It indicates how much energy is lost within the cell through ‘recombination processes’.
Dubai funding commitments demonstrate rise of corporate solar
Two Emirati developers are celebrating landmark deals with a commercial and industrial focus as Yellow Door Energy secures $65 million to expand operations into new markets and Adenium – one of Yellow Door’s backers – prepares to operate the region’s first industrial self-consumption and net metering project.
New Caledonia sees 10 MW solar-plus-storage plant come online
The Wi Hâche Ouatom project is the first of its kind in the southwest Pacific French overseas territory. The facility is 51% owned by Enercal Energies Nouvelles and 49% by Promosud, both of which are based in the archipelago.
US utility surprised by solar connection requests ‘which have not followed linear rise since 2008’
Clearly surprised by the explosion in popularity of PV in the last two years, Michigan’s Consumers Energy has asked for time to process outstanding interconnection requests which could not ‘have been predicted by the company in earlier years’.
First EBRD-financed slice of Benban project comes online
The 30 MW plant was developed by a consortium led by Infinity Solar Energy SAE – an Egyptian developer operating in Africa and the Middle East – with Germay’s ib vogt, investment vehicle MMID and private equity firm BPE Partners.
Shell Foundation and Rockefeller support $11bn African mini-grids fund
Crossboundary Energy Access – which claims to be the continent’s first mini-grid financing facility – wants to unlock $11 billion in private capital to bring energy to 100 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. Raising capital has been a struggle despite mini-grids being lauded as a solid solution for electrification.
Europe passes 500 TWh of renewables demand – but solar loses ground
The 2018 figures for the Guarantee of Origin (GO) certificate market show a marked growth in clean energy demand in Europe. Demand surpassed 500 TWh, while GO prices reached record levels. Solar GO, however, saw a slight fall.
Turkey added 2,416 MW of solar capacity in 2018… kind of
Turkey appears to have installed a staggering 2,416 MW of new PV capacity in 2018, although careful study of the data may curb any excitement and solar’s role in the Turkish electricity mix remains negligible, with coal still dominant.
Saudi Arabia launches tender for 1.5 GW of solar capacity
The Renewable Energy Project Development Office is tendering seven large-scale IPP solar projects. The exercise is part of Round 2 of the Saudi National Renewable program, which is expected to allocate almost 2.2 GW of PV capacity this year.
Solar gains ground in Mongolia
A 10 MW solar facility in the Sumber Soum area of Mongolia’s southern Govisümber province has been connected to the grid. The project was financed by the Green Climate Fund and XacBank and takes Mongolia’s installed PV capacity to 35 MW. The pipeline of approved solar schemes has surpassed 700 MW.
