Blockchain marketplace for PV power trading launched in Switzerland
Some 377 households and a retirement home are participating in a pilot project. In the first two weeks of this month, solar power generators sold 82% of their electricity within the neighborhood. The goal of the one-year test run is to develop a viable concept for the local marketing of solar power.
China to engineer a gigawatt-scale PV plant – in space
Plans were broadly sketched out in the nation’s twelfth five-year plan, in 2008. Since then China’s Defense Science and Technology Bureau has supported key technology research. An initial, megawatt-scale project is planned in the stratosphere sometime in the 2021-2025 period.
Centrica invests in Internet of Things startups and sees 4.5 GW flexibility potential in the UK
With its investment, the energy company has broadened its portfolio of ways to help customers save on energy bills. There are multiple energy companies pursuing similar goals at the moment as distributed generation and storage solutions require utilities to find new business models; not the least to avoid grid expansion costs.
Lyon’s BePositive event shows confidence in French PV market remains strong
The solar event in Lyon illustrated how expectations of French solar remain big despite lower-than-expected development and issues related to regulations and carbon footprint requirements. The large participation of international and Chinese players seeking business among installers and distributors is a signal things may improve in the short term, and larger volumes may be deployed in the coming years.
Tender for 20 MW of floating solar-plus-60 MWh storage in Indian archipelago
The Solar Energy Corporation of India has invited bids for the development of an aggregate capacity of 20 MW of lagoon-based floating PV with 60 MWh of battery-based storage systems in the union territory of Lakshadweep.
Shareholder vote on Panda Green debt repayment plan delayed
The indebted Chinese developer has put back plans to set a date for its huge shares issue scheme by three weeks. The company needs to raise HK$1 billion that is due for repayment by May but needs stock holders to agree to significantly dilute their stakes.
Ukraine’s largest PV project secures provisional FIT license
The 246 MW Solar-Farm 1 is being developed by the nation’s largest energy holding and coal power producer, DTEK. The plant will be on the territory of a spent quarry.
First Middle Eastern utility-scale solar-plus-storage plant comes online
The 23 MW/12.6 MWh facility is near Mafraq, in northern Jordan. The storage system will offer peak shaving to increase grid stability while enhancing solar output.
Cambodia’s utility tenders first, 60 MW, section of National Solar Park
Electricité du Cambodge has launched an international tender to procure a solar project in Kampong Chhnang province, on a build-own-operate basis. The project is the initial phase of the 100 MW National Solar Park, which is being supported by the Asian Development Bank.
Rise in Chinese mono PERC cell output helps stabilize multi cell price as Indian orders slow
The big manufacturers turned their Chinese new year production efforts to higher efficiency products but order volumes for standard cells fell during India’s peak PV season, according to PV Info Link.
