Irena gives latest update on stark chances of electricity access for all by 2030
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s latest annual report on the progress towards UN sustainable development goal seven estimates 670 million people will still lack electricity in 2030, and more than 2 billion will be reliant on unhealthy, polluting cooking methods.
Sharp achieves conversion efficiency of 32.65% in flexible, lightweight solar module
The new prototype uses a triple-junction compound design, which sandwiches the solar cell between layers of film. The module is expected to be used in a variety of vehicles, an application that demands high efficiency and lightweight construction. Its conversion efficiency bests that of a similar Sharp module developed in 2016, which notched an efficiency of 31.17%, at the time a world record.
O2 Power switches on 250 MW solar project in India
The project is located in the Jaisalmer district and is selling power to the Solar Energy Corporation of India under a 25-year power purchase agreement.
ReNew signs 200 MW solar PPA, acquires over 500 MW of renewable projects
Indian energy developer ReNew has agreed to acquire more than 500 MW of operational wind and solar assets. It has also signed a 200 MW power purchase agreement with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: LDK to invest in 600 MW HJT solar cell factory as price of polysilicon soars
A Chinese metals industry group said the price of polysilicon is rising, just as Comtec Solar revealed that it is gearing up to sell off its shuttered wafer factories in Shanghai. Flat Glass, meanwhile, has announced plans to expand solar glass production capacity.
Jakson switches on 70 MW Amguri solar park in India
India’s Jakson Group has developed a 70 MW solar project with engineering, procurement and construction done in-house. The plant will supply electricity to Assam Power Distribution.
Solar beehive in South Korea
Hanwha Group has marked World Bee Day by unveiling the country’s first solar beehive. The PV modules on the beehive generate electricity to automatically monitor and control internal conditions.
Ultra-thin inverted perovskite solar cell with 20.2% efficiency
Chinese scientists have developed an ultralight solar cell with perovskite film based on a 3-µm-thick polymer. It purportedly has a power conversion efficiency in line with that of perovskite cells of conventional thickness.
India installed 456 MW of rooftop solar in Q1
India’s rooftop solar installations increased by 34% year on year in the January-March period, despite a 17% increase in system costs.
PVT-biomass system for space heating in small homes
A US-Chinese research group has developed a hybrid system proposal based on photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) modules, a heat pump, a backup electric boiler, and biomass generating units. They say it could be used as space heating in a single-floor home.
