‘Mono will supply 80% of the world’s solar by 2021’
Polysilicon manufacturer Daqo has announced the start of pilot production in Xinjiang and expects to ramp up to full output by the end of the year, doubling the company’s annual capacity to 70,000 MT. Some 90% of its poly will be mono by that stage and Daqo expects 40% to be suitable for n-type products next year.
Brazil’s Cemig contracts renewable power from 197 MW of project capacity
Solar and wind projects selected in the company’s latest clean energy procurement exercise have been awarded a 19-year power purchase deal, starting from 2023. Cemig has now contracted green power from 780 MW of renewable project capacity in three tender rounds held since June last year.
Solar-plus-storage vs grid enhancement, part IV
Co-location of solar and storage may accelerate the deployment of profitable merchant renewable energy projects in the United Kingdom, according to a report by Aurora Energy Research. The study predicts installed solar capacity in the U.K. may increase from around 13 GW next year to 19 GW in 2030 and 32 GW in 2040.
‘The world has no chance of beating climate change if natural gas is part of the mix’
A report by Germany’s Energy Watch Group thinktank has said we would be better off sticking to coal and oil than switching to gas because emissions of methane, the most potent greenhouse gas, caused by gas extraction render any related carbon savings irrelevant.
Sahel regional leaders give new push for 10 GW Desert to Power initiative
The African Development Bank last year disclosed a plan to install 10 GW of solar in the deserts of the Sahel. A recent summit held in Burkina Faso may have brought the ambitious project a step closer.
Spain’s first auction project online as a new 300 MW power supply deal is signed
Enel Green Power has plugged in the 85 MW Totana solar plant, the first project to come online from the renewables auction held by the Spanish government in July 2017. Elsewhere, Solarcentury and Encavis announced their 300 MW Talayuela project has secured a 10-year power purchase agreement.
Canadian Solar raises efficiency record for mono cast cell
The result was verified by Germany’s Institute für Solarenergieforschung GmbH. The Canadian-Chinese manufacturer claims to have achieved 22.8% efficiency for its multi-crystalline P5 cell, produced with a mono cast manufacturing process.
South Sudan to embrace renewables
The South Sudan Electricity Corporation is seeking consultants to define the nation’s Renewable Energy Development Program and its related tender mechanism. The plan could put the world’s youngest country – which is in the grip of a long, brutal civil war – on a path to sustainability.
EU approves Eon’s bid to take over Innogy
It took a while, but now the energy giants can finalize the mega deal. Rival energy companies have criticized approval of the deal amid fears Eon could dominate the German market.
Belgium’s largest PV rooftop commissioned by ArcelorMittal
The €7.5 million project, built by Dutch energy provider Eneco, is intended to power operations at the Ghent factory of the Indian steel manufacturer. Arcelor’s employees were invited to participate through crowdfunding.
