All News

Researchers in Kenya say the geomagnetic field could reduce solar panel conversion efficiency 0.21% between the equator and a 50-degree latitude. Their analysis showed the complex magnetic field can determine increases in module fill factor and falls in maximum power.

Around 30% of a 571 MW Chilean hybrid facility owned by Irish developer Mainstream Renewable Power has been built. The Condor solar power plant is part of the 1.3 GW Andes Renovables wind-solar complex.

Almost 10 GW of hybrid generation capacity is already under implementation despite the nation having only 100 MW of combined wind and PV projects at present, according to analyst Crisil.

The government in Dhaka hopes plans for the Spectra Solar Project, and the international backing for it, will help showcase the attractiveness of solar investment in the country for private sector money.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a new approach to improve the electrical properties of monolayer graphene grown by CVD that could be used in the production of more efficient and stable ultra-light organic cells. They used parylene to develop transparent graphene electrodes through a roll‐to‐roll transfer technique.

The Norwegian government has decided to postpone the planned reduction of the Plusskundeordningen solar-rebate program, currently managed by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, until the end of this year.

Dutch startup Solar Visuals and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) have developed new “mimic design” facade modules that reproduce the features of building surfaces. Lenneke Slooff-Hoek, a senior scientist for TNO, told pv magazine that the panels can be made in any size or color at 13% efficiency, adding that they have a partly transparent colored layer made of small dots.

Ikea has launched its turnkey home solar offer in Australia, making it the first market outside of Europe in which consumers can purchase home solar kits from its website. The company has partnered with Solargain to bring solar to as many Aussie rooftops as possible.

Utility-scale solar strength will cover for residential and rooftop PV weakness in 2020, according to SEIA and WoodMac.

Analysts appear divided on the effects the public health crisis will have on the EV market even as sales of petrol-engined SUVs soar in China. And Portugal is plowing on with its Covid-delayed national solar tender, an exercise which may help establish whether clean energy thinktank Ieefa is right to predict PV prices will continue to fall.