Guggenheim Solar Index: Strong beginnings
Solar stocks enjoyed a good start in 2021, writes Jesse Pichel of ROTH Capital Partners. In the United States, the Biden administration’s focus on climate change and the expectation of further incentives for renewables saw solar stocks rally in January. The global forecast is also positive, with China and others set for big installation numbers.
Abengoa completes construction on pilot green hydrogen plant
Abengoa Innovación has completed the construction of the pilot plant for the Grasshopper project, which is in the commissioning and start-up phase in Seville. The plant will be then transferred to its final location – the Netherlands.
Western Australian opposition party proposes 4.5 GW solar plan
Western Australia’s opposition leader has proposed a new energy policy ahead of the state’s upcoming March 13 election, with plans to phase out coal and deploy solar, wind, and hydrogen.
Indian state inching toward 10 GW of PV for farming
The success of the recent 6.4 GW solar auction in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has brought it closer to achieving its plan to install 10 GW of PV to support farmers.
US automakers embracing EV revolution
Ford, Toyota, and the U.S. government have all taken huge steps toward getting more electric vehicles on the roads, and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has released a report outlining which states are keeping pace.
Modeling the potential of lead-free perovskites
Scientists in India modeled the performance of tin-based perovskite (methylammonium tin triiodide) finding that with careful optimizations the material could achieve efficiencies beyond 28%.
Hungary’s second renewables auction concludes with lowest bid of $0.0549/kWh
The auction has been significantly oversubscribed and has seen 36 successful projects among 257 submitted. Around 390 GWh of power was contracted and will be provided exclusively by PV projects.
Hybrid wind-solar may have a shading problem
Scientists in the Netherlands are seeking to assess how hybrid wind-solar projects may be impacted by the shade produced by the wind tower and wind turbine blades on the PV facility. According to them, the slow movement of the wind unit’s shadow can be easily incorporated into project design.
EU set to release initial €7.5bn of green transition fund
With the European Parliament formally voting through a €672.5 billion recovery and resilience fund, the baton will pass to the heads of the European Council and its grouping of economic ministers. It is hoped an initial, 13% slice of the fund will be available to member states from early next month.
Indian manufacturer to open 750 MW solar fab by April
Solar manufacturer Premier Energies is setting up a factory in Telangana with an annual cell and module production capacity of 750 MW. The fab will be equipped to produce large-format panels with wafer sizes up to 210mm.
