European electricity prices rise despite daily solar production records
Rising electricity demand and higher CO2 emissions prices drove up average power prices last week across most major European markets, according to AleaSoft Energy Forecasting. Spain hit a new daily solar generation record, with France, Italy and Portugal also setting June highs.
High-frequency monitoring of floating PV
Researchers in Brazil have installed a vertical thermistor chain with six temperature loggers beneath a floating PV plant and at a nearby reference site. The system also recorded dissolved oxygen and photosynthetically active radiation to assess environmental impacts.
Panama to include storage in energy auctions
In an exclusive interview with pv magazine, Panamanian Energy Secretary Juan Manuel Urriola said the government will open the electricity market to private investment and revise regulations to enable energy storage. Urriola also emphasized the importance of long-term planning and transparent bidding to attract developers.
TNO, Solarge unveil lightweight perovskite solar module prototype
TNO and Solarge have developed a lightweight perovskite solar module prototype measuring 32 cm x 34 cm by combining roll-to-roll processing and low-weight panel materials. The Netherlands-based partners aim to scale the technology for broader commercial applications.
Grid balancing costs up 10% in Great Britain, may hit GBP 8 billion in 2030
Transmission infrastructure buildout essential to curb rising cost of balancing Great Britain’s electricity grid, according to electricity system operator. New report finds thermal constraints were main driver of increased balancing costs, with planned outages in Scotland coinciding with high wind outturn.
Canada’s largest off-grid solar project breaks ground
The Anahim Lake Solar Farm in British Columbia, Canada, will provide the Ulkatcho First Nation with renewable energy, reducing the remote community’s use of diesel for electricity generation by almost two-thirds.
UK energy sector edging toward gender balance, but barriers remain
Women in Solar+ Europe – WiSEu Network attended the launch of POWERful Women’s Annual State of the Nation Report this week, where leaders and changemakers called for faster action to close the gender gap in energy.
Nicaragua starts work on 70 MW solar plant, largest to date
China Communications Construction Co. has begun building the 70 MW Enesolar-3 solar plant in Nicaragua, which will supply power to state water utility Enacal and cover about 40% of its electricity needs. The PV project is the largest in the country to date.
Shifting cloud patterns boost solar potential in the Amazon
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that solar irradiance levels across the Amazon Basin were 10% higher than the long-term average during April and May, reflecting a decadal trend towards drier conditions in the region.
Improving solar cell performance with melanin, porous silicon powder
Researchers in Mexico have enhanced optoelectronic and solar cell performance by combining melanin with porous silicon powder. The compound improved photocurrent generation by boosting the luminescence of the silicon material.
