New MPPT algorithm for bidirectional inverter design
A newly proposed inverter design relies on a solar charge controller featuring maximum power point tracking. It is based on an artificial fish-swarm algorithm, which offers high convergence speeds, flexibility, fault tolerance, and accuracy.
New solar PPA, hybrid PV-wind project in Germany
Statkraft and Naturstrom AG have signed a power purchase agreement for a 50 MW solar array in Bavaria, while BayWa r.e. has announced a new solar-wind hybrid project, with 22 MW of solar capacity.
UK infrastructure investor reports losses on Australian PV assets
In its first-half earnings report, John Laing revealed that it has suffered substantial losses, mainly due to performance issues related to its renewable energy projects.
Covid-19 weekly round-up: Dormant MiaSole claims Covid support in the US as Indian new solar figures slumped
Plus, analyst WoodMac says a fall in the cost of power generation in Japan during the public health crisis will help drive renewables investment and the Indian government has relaxed borrowing rules for its financially crippled electric utilities.
Qatar’s national solarized fintech strategy
The State of Qatar is a World Bank high-income economy, backed by the world’s third-largest natural gas and oil reserves. Qatar has the third-highest GDP per capita in the world, with very high human development. Similar to other Gulf Cooperation Council states – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain – Qatar is wrestling with the fluctuations in global hydrocarbons prices that started in 2014 and are now compounded by the Saudi-led embargo since 2017.
Global green hydrogen project pipeline reaches 50 GW
International thinktank IEEFA says there are 50 viable green hydrogen projects under development with an estimated renewable energy capacity of 50 GW and the potential to produce 4 million tonnes of the fuel annually.
Recycling PV panels: Why can’t we hit 100%?
In February, non-profit EU solar panel recycling body PV Cycle announced it had collected 5,000 tons of modules in France, of which 94.7% could be recycled. A reader asked us about the remaining 5.3% and here, PV Cycle’s communications manager, Bertrand Lempkowicz, responds.
Hanwha Q Cells was biggest winner in Portuguese solar auction
The South Korean solar panel maker secured around 300 MW of the 700 MW awarded in the procurement round. The other winners are reportedly Spanish power company Iberdrola, Italian peer Enel and French-owned developer Tag Energy.
Wider wind-solar complementarity would mean less need for storage
A study from the Lappeenranta University of Technology states a deeper complementarity between solar and wind generation may favor renewables deployment reducing the need for stronger developments in storage technology. Combining solar with wind more widely could also reduce the need for ramping and improve the reliability of energy supply, say the researchers.
Global daily round-up: Israel set to import solar power from Jordan and a hydrogen deal for South Holland
Plus, some 5 GW of solar could be heading to Botswana and Namibia and news of a new automotive fuel cell building in Ulm, Germany.
