Italian solar fund Tages Helios raises another €43 million
The Italian fund was able to reach €250 million in funding through its fourth and final financing round.
Sungrow supplies inverters, storage to the Maldives
The Chinese inverter manufacturer has announced the installation of solar PV and energy storage systems for five islands in the Maldives.
Bernreuter Research: Silicon consumption drops to 3.6 grams/W by 2020
The use of diamond wire significantly reduces wafer saw losses. Some photovoltaic manufacturers have begun to switch their production, after technical problems appear to have been resolved.
U.S. researchers develop new method for solar desalination
A team of researchers from Rice University in Houston, Texas has developed a new method for using solar power to desalinate sea water. Part of a federally funded research effort into water treatment , the team has developed a system utilizing a combination of membrane distillation and nanophotonics to turn salt water into fresh drinking water.
UK energy regulator slashes subsidies for small-scale energy generators
Power generators that have less than 100 MW of capacity on the U.K. grid will see the payments they receive for supplying backup power during peak hours slashed from £45/kw to between £3/kw and £7/kw as Ofgem seeks to get a grip on consumer electricity bills.
Nicaragua to introduce net metering scheme for distributed generation
While the grid operator Enatrel conducts a feasibility study for solar distributed generation projects, the president Daniel Ortega urges the Parliament to approve the reform of the energy system which will introduce net metering for PV.
Russia’s Rushydro expands use of solar in remote areas of its service territory
The Russian hydroelectric power producer will install more stand-alone PV plants in Yacutia’s remote areas with no access to the electricity network.
India’s NTPC reaches 845 MW of installed solar capacity following latest commissioning
The National Thermal Power Corporation confirms installed base of solar has increased to 845 MW after commissioning 225 MW of a 250 MW plant in Madhya Pradesh.
Australian universities create Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science
Several of Australia’s top universities are working together on gaining a better understanding of excitons. The Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science is a partnership led by the University of Melbourne alongside other top Australian universities and organizations, and consists of a team with a broad range of expertise in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and other disciplines.
UK’s ‘stunning Sunday’ of 70% low-carbon power offers glimpse of near future
Sunny and windy Sunday afternoon in the U.K. sees carbon intensity power production level fall below 100g of CO2 per kWh for first time ever, gifting country’s energy market glimpse into future power generation mix.
