Taiwan proposes FIT cuts, recycling fee
Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs is considering scrapping a 6% markup on tariffs paid to high-efficiency modules used in its Green Energy Roof scheme. The markup is said to benefit the local module manufacturing industry, which is currently struggling.
US utility Xcel Energy gets in front of the 100% renewable energy movement
By setting a timeline for the inevitable decarbonization of its fleet, Xcel is moving to have an energy transition on its terms.
Seraphim expands South African solar cell fab plans to 500 MW
Chinese solar manufacturer Seraphim has announced plans for a 500 MW cell factory in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The company also plans to expand an existing 300 MW module factory in South Africa’s Eastern Cape region by 200 MW.
SolarPower Europe calls for 5 GW of EU solar module manufacturing
The European solar association has called on Europe to set up 5 GW of solar PV module manufacturing capacity to cater to the expected around 15 GW of annual demand.
Sonnen to provide primary balancing power to German grid from networked home storage
After months of preliminary work, the time has come: With its PV+home storage network, sonnen GmbH has received prequalification from TenneT to participate in Germany’s primary control energy market. While it is currently allowed to deliver 1 MW, the goal is to supply 100 MW.
Finding the optimal solar cell design to maximize energy production
Researchers in Spain have proposed a new standard for solar cell testing, which they say could enable more accurate determinations of a cell’s annual energy yield. Using machine learning, the method processes data sets consisting of thousands of solar spectra, creating representative examples which can then be used to predict average annual efficiency.
EBRD urges Western Balkans to replace 18 GW of coal with renewables
The EBRD has released a brief urging Western Balkan countries to both replace their aging lignite coal generation capacity with renewables, and to rethink their 18 GW plans for new coal capacity. While the region offers favorable conditions for various types of renewable generation, it has been slow on the uptake to date.
Australia’s first hydrogen test station opens in Canberra
ACT gas network operator Evoenergy and the Canberra Institute of Technology have partnered to build a first of its kind hydrogen test facility at CIT Fyshwick. The station will test up to 100% hydrogen in deployments in which natural gas is currently used.
Switzerland’s third largest canton launches $3 million incentive scheme for solar-plus-storage
The scheme will provide incentives for solar-plus-storage projects for self-consumption, as well as for projects for virtual power storage.
Portugal aims for 100% renewables by 2050
Solar is expected to play a leading role in the Portuguese Government’s new energy plan, which includes the goals of covering 80% of the country’s total power demand with clean energy by 2030, and electrifying 65% of its economy by 2050.
