BIPV in Europe: More than just a facade
The renowned PV-Lab at Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne today announced that it has taken on the role of coordinator for the EU funded research project ‘Be-Smart’, which aims at developing a European industry for building integrated PV components.
GCL-Poly backing grid AI application with new joint venture
The Chinese polysilicon heavyweight has joined forces with Japanese industrial and energy conglomerate Mitsui & Co and software company eVolution Networks, and promises to deliver a solution that will beef up the grid.
Brazilian government confirms solar will compete in June A-4 auction
In a document published in Brazil’s official journal, the Ministry of Energy and Mines said the upcoming procurement exercise will be open to solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric power projects.
The mainstreaming of mono
In the second half of 2018, monocrystalline silicon technology passed an important milestone: Quarterly production of monocrystalline ingots, wafers, cells, and modules overtook that of multicrystalline for the first time in the mainstream PV era. This milestone was tracked by PV technology and market forecasting firm exawatt. CEO Simon Price sets out how mono’s rapid growth could have been, and was, predicted.
Renewables made up almost 65% of net power production in Germany last week
Renewable energy had a 64.8% share of electricity generation, according to solar research institute Fraunhofer ISE. The achievement was mainly due to strong production from wind facilities.
The hurdles in the way of Spain’s rich solar promise
On Thursday, PV conference organizer Solarplaza and Spanish solar association UNEF will host the Solar Market Parity conference in Madrid. pv magazine’s Pilar Sánchez Molina will participate in the Vision of the future: Spain in 2030 panel.
EkoRE breaks ground on 1 GW vertically integrated module factory in Turkey
The facility is in the Bor organized industrial zone of Niğde, in central Anatolia. The factory was backed by incentives provided by the country’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
EU wants to know more about Eon’s bid to acquire Innogy
According to the Brussels authorities, the transaction could affect competition in the electricity and gas sectors. EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager wants to ensure there are no price increases as a result of the proposed takeover.
French regulator proposes tightening up controversial carbon footprint rules
In a report which states utility-scale PV project development in France can cost as little as €600 per installed kilowatt, the CRE has made recommendations including factoring in transport and full supply chain costs into the calculation of how environmentally friendly solar panels are.
South Korea to prioritize PV projects with low carbon footprint, high-efficiency modules
The Korean government is planning to introduce new rules for carbon footprint certification, minimum efficiency levels and industrial standards for solar and wind energy. The measures are intended to make the domestic renewable energy industry grow while securing sustainable competitiveness, the administration said.
