Colombia’s PV capacity hits 1.2 GW
Colombia’s Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) says the country’s PV capacity has reached 1,193 MW. The nation surpassed the 1 GW threshold several weeks ago with the commissioning of two large-scale solar facilities.
Imminent introduction of perovskite-silicon tandems is unlikely, says Prof. Martin Green
At SNEC 2024 in Shanghai, pv magazine spoke with Martin Green, Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and solar cell technology expert. He said perovskite-silicon tandem technologies still have a long way to go before reaching commercial maturity and predicts silicon-based technologies will still dominate the market for many years. He also sees potential for copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) solar cells and other absorber materials. “Until we don’t solve the stability issues with perovskite, is good to have other candidates,” he stated.
Optimal size ratios for solar, wind-powered hydrogen production
Researchers in Italy outlined a new model for estimating hydrogen production cost as a function of the plant’s component sizes. They tested both PV, wind, and hybrid production of hydrogen to determine the optimal size ratio for the 2030-2050 period. They also found that PV-powered hydrogen may currently achieve a levelized cost of hydrogen of €5.11/kg in Italy, with a PV ratio of 2.2.
Canada’s B.C. Hydro to offer solar, battery rebates
Homeowners in the Canadian province of British Columbia who install rooftop solar and battery energy storage systems will soon be able to apply for up to CAD 10,000 ($7,341) in rebates from electric utility B.C. Hydro.
Sulzer supplies molten salt pumps for 100 MW solar tower in China
Sulzer, a Switzerland-based fluid engineering specialist, has supplied molten salt pumps for a 100 MW concentrated solar power (CSP) project in China. The facility is designed to provide solar power 24 hours a day.
United Kingdom breaks 16 GW barrier for solar deployment
Revised figures reveal UK solar capacity surpassed 16 GW in 2023, thanks to the inclusion of the newly available distribution network operator (DNO). Provisional figures for the first quarter of 2024 show the pace of new capacity lagging the same period in 2023.
Maldives opens tender for grid-tied solar-plus-diesel plants
The government of the Maldives is accepting bids for the design, supply and installation of grid-tied solar-diesel hybrid power generation plants. The projects will be built on nine inhabited islands across the country.
Australian state prioritizes pumped hydro projects
Three pumped hydro projects that would deliver a combined 1,035 MW/9,480 MWh of dispatchable capacity are among six projects that have been declared critical, state-significant infrastructure by the New South Wales government in Australia.
ACME Solar files request for $359.13 million IPO
ACME Solar Holdings has submitted a request for a $359.13 million initial public offering (IPO).
Optimizing electrically conductive adhesives for solar cell interconnections
German research institute ISC Konstanz has developed a new method to measure the contact resistance of solar cell interconnections made with electrically conductive adhesives (ECA). The proposed approach reportedly enables the precise characterization of both contact resistivity and bulk resistivity.
