New ways to feed the world’s lithium habit
Amid significant environmental concern about the impact of more widespread lithium mining, various methods of extracting the battery material from brine could offer a cleaner solution – and reignite a historic Cornish industry.
PV agrivoltaics could revitalize Brazilian crops
Agriculture accounts for 21.5% of Brazil’s gross domestic product and 27% of its emissions. PV companies are now targeting an industry that represents 14% of the nation’s small-scale installations. With credit incentives and growing familiarity with the technology, agribusinesses and solar specialists are discovering new opportunities for collaboration.
PV module cooling tech based on single-channel containing nanofluids
Scientists in Mexico have conceived a new solar module cooling tech that can reportedly improve PV power generation by up to 2%. The system uses nanofluids embedded in an aluminum single-channel attached to the back of the panel.
Winter wildfires smother solar in South America
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that aerosols from Brazilian wildfires significantly reduced solar irradiance across parts of South America in July, although a persistent high-pressure system over the South Pacific boosted irradiance in Chile and Argentina.
Brazil’s electricity access program needs 1.5 million solar modules.
New research shows that achieving universal electricity access in the Amazon region will require up to 15 million PV modules and more than $7.4 billion in investments.
Guyana opens tender for solar-plus-storage projects
Guyana Power and Light, a publicly owned utility, has kicked off a tender to select an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for three solar plants with battery energy storage. The deadline for applications is Sept. 26.
The Hydrogen Stream: Brazil signs hydrogen support scheme
As Brazil starts its low-carbon hydrogen program, industry consolidation continues with two M&A operations in Italy and Texas.
Chilean government proposes solar FIT cut for distributed generation
A coalition of three renewables associations in Chile have released a joint statement expressing “deep concern and opposition” to the Chilean government’s proposals to reduce income for distributed generation.
Binational tender launched for 1 MW floating PV plant in Brazil, Paraguay
The plant will be located in the reservoir of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant. The tender is open until September 5, and the designated time period for the installation of the floating solar plant is about four months.
Uruguay attracts 11 bidders vying to build 25 MW PV plant in Punta del Tigre
The Uruguayan firms include Berkes, Ebital, Impacto Construcciones, Ingener, MGI SA, Teyma Uruguay and Ventus Ingenieria; together with Cttech, Prodiel and the Chinese companies DTW and Power Construction Corporation of China.
