Brazil hits 25 GW solar milestone
ABSolar, the Brazilian solar association, says that the PV sector has attracted BRL 125 billion ($24.2 billion) in new investments since 2012 and has generated more than 750,200 jobs.
New study shows lower environmental impact with single-axis trackers
Brazilian researchers have compared the environmental impact of two PV plants – one with polycrystalline solar modules mounted on fixed-tilt trackers, and another with the same modules mounted on single-axis trackers. The life cycle assessment shows the system with single-axis trackers reduced carbon gas emissions by 24%, land use by 20%, and water use by 7%.
Floating PV reduces water evaporation in Brazilian reservoir by 60%
Brazilian and US researchers have evaluated the water evaporation rate of a floating PV system on a Brazilian reservoir. They said that the 130 kW installation reduced evaporation by 60%, and claimed that a 5 MW system could save enough water for 196 people per year.
Argentina launches tender for 500 MW of solar
Argentina has announced its first renewable energy tender since 2019.
Brazil has 17 GW of distributed solar, with 32 GW under development
The Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (ABSolar) says the country has reached 17 GW of installed solar capacity for PV projects below 5 MW in size. Over the past three months, connection requests for distributed-generation PV projects have hit 32 GW.
Puerto Rico could approach 40% renewables by 2025
Rapidly deploying 5.2 GW of planned solar and storage in Puerto Rico, a possibility raised in a report by six national laboratories, would require an improvement in the Puerto Rico utility’s practices. A mandated procurement process has suffered delays at many steps.
Consumers have a right to know the energy make-up of goods
With energy certification already a must-have for any business which makes green energy claims, Ed Everson, chief executive of England-based, global certification company Evident, makes the case for firms to be required to make full disclosure of their energy sources.
Only5mins! – Brazil set for ‘best year of solar’ in 2023, says ABSolar
Rodrigo Lopes Sauaia, the CEO of the Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy (ABSolar), speaks to pv magazine about why Brazil is poised to install a record-breaking 10.1 GW of new capacity in 2023. He says both distributed-generation and utility-scale PV projects will contribute to “the best year of solar so far.”
Ecuador pre-selects 345.3 MW of solar in renewables auction
The lowest bid for PV in Ecuador’s latest procurement exercise was $0.0498/kWh. The pre-selected developers may secure 25-year power purchase agreements.
Guyana launches tender for 33 MW/34 MWh of solar-plus-storage
The Guyanese authorities are seeking proposals to deploy eight PV plants linked to storage.
