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MIT scientists have taken a deep dive into solar technology markets in search of an economically sustainable path to commercialization for perovskites. The group estimates $1 billion of capital expenditure would be required to achieve the economies of scale necessary to compete with rival solar module technologies. However, several alternative suggestions for scaling up with lower investment costs were also considered.

Japanese researchers have investigated the effectiveness of SiC devices in sub-kilowatt applications. A 790g device was tested in a mini PV generator system which included a battery and maximum power point tracker circuit in the same housing. Compared to traditional mini inverters the SiC device showed 3% higher efficiency.

Dubai-based Enerwhere has built an 80 kW floating array at a resort island in Abu Dhabi. The installation features bespoke modules from GCL and Sungrow inverters. The developer told pv magazine the business case was based on the fact the cost of diesel generator operation in such locations can run to $0.25/kWh.

The 5 MW Uliastai solar-plus-storage project will be located in the city of the same name in the western part of the country, around 1,100km from Ulaanbaatar. The facility is part of a plan to deploy 40 MW of solar and wind generation linked to energy storage in the nation’s western and Altai-Uliastai regions.

Solar has a small but increasingly important role to play in the Nordic energy transition. And while there is still a gap in PV cost-competitiveness across some markets, interest in solar facades, BIPV solutions and C&I applications is growing.

Greece has announced plans to install two PV projects at mining sites. The facilities are part of the national utility’s new strategy and in line with the country’s efforts to phase out coal.

Polish power providers Enea and Energa have suspended construction financing for a new 1 GW coal power plant in northeastern Poland. According to the Europe Beyond Coal campaign, this could mark the beginning of the end for the $1.6 billion project. The two companies said their decision depended mostly on the new EU policy for the electricity sector and a lack of external financing.

The Algerian electronics manufacturer said its solar business has not filed for insolvency. The company said it continues to operate as ‘normal’. The company added, it is working on two solar projects with a combined generation capacity of 100 MW.

Iberdrola has secured a long-term PPA from telecoms service provider Orange. The electricity will be delivered by a 328 MW solar plant that the Spanish energy group is building in Spain’s Extremadura region.

An unusually profitable fourth quarter has anchored an even rarer profitable year for SunPower, bolstering growing confidence in its decision to spin off its module manufacturing business into Maxeon Solar Technologies.