NREL develops controllable quantum dot systems
Researchers at the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed a new designer quantum dot system, which allows for greater control over optoelectronic properties of the materials.
Egypt: German consortium plans 1 GW vertically integrated solar factory
A first agreement to start a feasibility study for the project, which also includes the construction of a giant solar plant, was signed in the presence of the country’s minister of energy Mohamed Shaker.
Indian government issues draft quality order on solar modules
The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has forwarded to the World Trade Organization a draft quality order on solar modules announced by Energy Minister Piyush Goyal a week earlier.
Swedish Parliament approves cancellation of solar tax
The tax was applied to PV installations for self-consumption with a capacity of over 255 kW. The move is expected to revive Sweden’s solar market after the disappointing performance (due to the tax) registered last year.
Environmentalist and solar advocate Nicolas Hulot is France’s new energy minister
Hulot is a well-known journalist and environmentalist which has had a leading role in the French Green Party (Europe Écologie-Les Verts) in the past, and has always supported solar through his foundation.
Solar had no chance against wind in Spain’s renewable energy auction
Spanish solar association UNEF claims PV was discriminated against in the auction and announced it will appeal to the European Commission.
Indian hydropower provider SJVN seeks partners to deploy 500 MW of solar
The state-owned Indian hydro-power producer has issued an EoI to select potential partners for the construction of large-scale PV plants across India. SJVN will have an equity share of over 26% in the proposed joint venture.
Energy trade groups send grid reliability reports to Energy Secretary Perry
SEIA, ACORE, AEE and AWEA express concerns that the former Texas Governor is starting his inquiry into grid reliability with a faulty premise by conflating coal and nuclear generation with reliability.
Test operation of solar glas façade completed succesfully
A façade including 75 glass-glass module with a total output of 15 Kw had been installed on a surface area of an office building in Lithuania. After six months of test operation the involved companies expect that the system’s yield could be up to 800 kWh/kW.
U.S. residential solar market contracts 17% during Q1
According to the soon-to-be-released report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association, a severe contraction in California headlined the nationwide slide.
