Romania advances municipal storage buildout, 500 MWh battery project
Romania’s new €150 million ($173.8 million) municipal storage program could add 385 MW of capacity and coincides with financing for one of the country’s largest standalone battery projects, according to the government.
TCL Zhonghuan unveils 25.17%-efficient TOPCon solar modules series with multi-slice design
The Chinese manufacturer said its new T5 Pro modules featues high power density and low-current, low-resistance profile. The series has a power output of 480 W to 760 W and a power conversion efficiency of up to 25.17%.
IRENA says $554 billion invested in solar technologies in 2024
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says solar is the only renewable energy technology where current investment levels are approaching the annual average needed through to 2030 to align with its 1.5 C pathway.
Hydro approves largest pumped hydro project in more than 20 years in Norway
Norsk Hydro will invest about $110 million after tax to build the Illvatn pumped hydro plant in western Norway.
Sweden’s Midsummer and Saab plan CIGS solar module plant in Colombia
A new industrial partnership driven by defense-related technology transfer says Colombia could emerge as a strategic hub for lightweight copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) manufacturing.
Taiwan tightens rules for ground-mounted, floating solar
Revisions to Taiwan’s Environmental Impact Assessment Act, Tourism Development Act and Geology Act introduce requirements for environmental impact assessments prior to development of solar projects, and rules out solar installations larger than one hectare in scenic spots and geographically-sensitive areas.
Germany’s January-October solar additions reach 13 GW
The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) says Germany’s installation pace reflects shifting demand patterns between ground-mounted and rooftop PV systems.
Sodium-ion battery storage for ultra-low temperatures
U.S. researchers have developed a sodium-ion pouch cell that operates reliably at temperatures as low as –100 C. The battery was tested with simulated and real renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, and maintained stable performance in both laboratory and field conditions.
JA Solar builds inverted perovskite solar cell with 26.7% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer said the cell uses a multifunctional organic ammonium salt to improve interfacial engineering between the perovskite absorber and the electron transport layers. The device also achieved 24.5% efficiency when scaled up to a 1 cm² active area.
First Solar commits $330 million to new US factory
First Solar has selected Gaffney, South Carolina, as the site for its fifth US module factory. It will invest approximately $330 million in the project.
