ACS Group to sell renewables unit to France’s Vinci
The Spanish construction conglomerate plans to sell off its ACS Industrial unit, which includes solar and wind project developer Cobra, to French infrastructure giant Vinci.
France raises size limit for solar FITs from 100 kW to 500 kW
The French government has decided to reduce the planned degression rates for feed-in tariffs, in addition to raising the size limit for projects.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: 10 GW for Canadian Solar in Jiangsu
Canadian Solar has agreed to invest $1.5 billion in a 10 GW solar cell and module factory in eastern China. GCL New Energy, meanwhile, has revealed the terms of a plan to sell a solar project portfolio to state-owned Huaneng.
Solar secures 95.5 MW in Italy’s third renewables auction
The Italian authorities have awarded four solar projects in yet another undersubscribed renewables tender, with the nation’s top clean energy association criticizing the auctions for being uncompetitive. The lowest price for PV came in at €0.064 ($0.075)/kWh.
Chemical assist for stable perovskite cells at 23% efficiency
Scientists at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have developed a new ‘chemical innovation’, for the deposition of perovskite solar cells onto a substrate. The method is shown to produce cells at better than 23% efficiency, that remained stable after 500 hours testing at a raised temperature.
Cooling PV panels with regasification of liquefied natural gas
Researchers in Israel have suggested the use of regasification of liquefied natural gas to reduce the operating temperature of PV modules in solar parks located at gas terminals. According to them, the feasibility of such a cooling solution could be strengthened by the fact that both the PV systems and the LNG regasification systems are, separately, mature, economical technologies.
Ferrocene-based electrolytes for heat-resistant redox flow batteries
German scientists have developed a new electrolyte material that can cope with temperatures of up to 60 C. The material is based on ferrocene, an organometallic molecule known for good redox stability that is commonly used as an internal standard for electrochemical measurements.
Agrivoltaics for pear orchards
Belgian researchers are testing agrivoltaic power generation in a pear orchard. The first pilot project features specially designed 185 W solar panels with transparent backsheets, conventional silicon cells, and a 21% efficiency rate.
Solar, wind expanding rapidly in US market
Solar has accounted for nearly 3.4% of total national generation thus far this year, with wind contributing 8.5%. Coal, meanwhile, has plunged from about 30% last year to just 17.8%.
EU wants lithium self-sufficiency by 2025
As the bloc pushes its digital and green transition agenda, policymakers have looked at the raw materials required. Little is mined, processed or assembled in Europe at present but the European Commission has a plan…
