PV projects above 100 MW capacity proliferate in central Italy
Tuscia, in the Lazio region, is the focus of plans for several big solar parks including a 150 MW project approved by the regional government, two schemes exceeding 100 MW and six more projects ranging in size from 17 to 70 MW. Some 700 MW of solar is under development in the municipalities of Montalto di Castro and Tuscania alone.
Spain’s new rules for self-consumption come into force
The provisions allow self-consumption for communities and industrial areas; reduce administrative procedures – especially for small self-consumers; and establish a simplified mechanism for the compensation of self-produced excess energy.
India takes to solar-powered desalination
A 10,000-liters-per-day plant in Tamil Nadu offers hope for powering clean water without fossil fuels. However, researchers warn the technology is difficult to scale up because PV panels take up so much space.
EBRD to help Lebanon’s solar plus storage tenders
The nation has plans for two ambitious renewable energy tenders but the procurement process is dragging and Lebanese institutions lack experience in designing such schemes. A solution will be provided by Europe.
Italy offers incentives for EVs
A budget of €60 million has been allocated for this year, in 2020 and 2021 it will rise to €70 million. Applications for the incentives can be submitted from today.
Using conventional modules at 40 degrees below zero
A 65 kW installation relying on 250 monocrystalline panels of 250 W each is providing energy at the Zucchelli Station, Italy’s permanent Antarctic base on Terra Nova Bay.
Imec, Jolywood announce 23.2% front-side conversion efficiency for n-PERT bifacial cell
The result was certified by the solar cells laboratory at the calibration and test center of Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research. Imec’s measurements showed cell bifaciality surpassed 80%.
Europe’s largest floating PV project under development in the Netherlands
Dutch developer Groenleven is planning a 48 MW floating installation at a depleted sand extraction site near Emmen, in Drenthe province.
Four takeaways from Solarex
All the fundamentals are in place for Turkey to be a leading light in solar but an all-too-familiar lack of policy certainty, coupled with a troubled macroeconomic backdrop, mean the nation is still unable to realize its PV potential.
Norway’s $1tn wealth fund to invest in unlisted renewables
The world’s largest sovereign wealth fund will invest in non-listed infrastructure, with the government stressing such commitments will not be a climate policy measure but an investment strategy. The fund had already announced an intent to gradually divest holdings in oil and gas companies and related projects.
