Asia

China’s UtmoLight has developed a new PV module with an area of just 63.98 cm2 and a 20.5% efficiency rate, as certified by Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories.

The latest set of clean energy statistics compiled by the International Renewable Energy Agency signal a changing of the guard when it comes to clean power, with legacy hydropower facilities overtaken by new intermittent renewables.

Monocrystalline module manufacturer Longi is venturing into new territory but missed out to its rival on two big panel orders from a state-owned power company.

The Chinese giant overhauled JA Solar by moving almost 16 GW worth of modules, with the 600 W-plus, 210mm-wafer-based Vertex range it launched last year having already sold 10 GW of units.

Facebook has revealed plans to buy electricity from a 5 MW floating solar array in the Straits of Johor. The project will sell power through a virtual power purchase agreement.

The Chinese manufacturer has unveiled a low-voltage battery with a modular design and a high-voltage storage system which is claimed to have a one-hour, ultra-rapid charge rate.

The company is in cross-default for $679 million, triggered by the non-payment of $500 million of senior notes at the end of January. The polysilicon maker hopes to straighten that matter out with a debt restructure ‘by June.’

Scientists have set a new efficiency record for a single-junction perovskite solar cell at 25.6%. The cell additionally showed operational stability for 450 hours, and intense electroluminescence with external quantum efficiencies of more than 10%.

Tata Power Delhi Distribution has installed a 150 kW/528 kWh battery energy storage system at a substation in New Delhi. The system will help the utility to manage peak load and frequency regulation, while providing 150 kW of power backup for durations of four hours.

The 133 MW Puerto Real 1 project is the first phase of a planned 223 MW solar plant in Cádiz. Swiss asset management firm Capital Dynamics last year acquired plant and has also purchased the upcoming 50 MW Puerto Real 2 project.