Asia

In an interview with pv magazine, Frank Haugwitz – the director of the Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory (AECEA) – explained how the recent China-EU investment deal could offer more opportunities to European companies in China’s renewable energy market. He said the agreement shall provide transparency over policies, regulations, financing, and subsidies. And competition shall grow, especially in the C&I solar segment, he added.

Blockchain systems are being tested as a means of offering solar households revenue for excess power they generate, now the FIT program has ceased.

The Indonesian government has announced the construction of a big PV plant in the eastern part of the country, explaining that the region is particularly suitable for solar development due to its dry climate and high solar radiation levels. The region is indeed the most suitable area for solar parks, due to land availability and high electricity generation costs.

French oil and gas giant Total already owns a stake in developer Adani Green Energy’s 2.3 GW of operational solar assets in India through a joint venture.

A study has analyzed the technical and financial feasibility of floating solar at hydro power plants. The report concludes floating PV reduces evaporation from hydropower reservoirs and the water saved can be used to generate more electricity.

Land scarcity and grid congestion are the main reasons for unexpectedly low capacity allocations in Japan’s five PV auctions between 2017 and January 2020. However, the auction outcomes should not be seen as disappointing, as the average final prices were close to the cost of electricity for solar, says the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Iranian scientists have assessed a new active approach for solar module cooling based on water spraying. Water sprayed from different angles can reduce the operating temperature of PV modules, with limited water consumption. However, the team noted that they have yet to assess the economic viability of the system.

Scientists applied a model where rooftop PV and electric vehicle batteries are integrated into the energy system of nine Japanese cities. Their findings suggests that such a system could meet more than half of every city’s total energy demand by 2030, and as much as 95% in some cases. The model also reveals opportunities to cut both pollution and energy costs for urban populations in Japan.

Huawei has strengthened its technology partnership with Chint, while TBEA is planning an IPO for its polysilicon unit Xinte Energy. Furthermore, glass manufacturers keep acting to overcome current bottleneck.

The tender was launched by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), an energy service company owned by the government of India.