EU Energy Committee’s proposal to upgrade 2030 RE target to 35% welcomed
The European Parliament has proposed both an upgraded, binding RE target of 35%, and plans to reduce energy consumption by 40% by 2030. The two resolutions, along with other provisions to remove fees or taxes on self-consumption, now have to be approved in January. SolarPower Europe has welcomed the news, saying the move will boost jobs and investment.
New coating steps up solar cell efficiency by 20%, Russian researchers find
By putting silica particles inside the top electrode, scientists from Russia’s ITMO University have developed a new solar cell coating, which helps avoid overheating and diminishes light reflection, thus increasing overall efficiency by 20%.
Hungary grants 1-year grace period for PV projects under FIT scheme
The Hungarian government has updated the Decree 389/2007, which regulates the support for renewable energies, to allow around 2 GW of projects approved under the FIT program to see completion by the end of 2018, although the incentive scheme was closed in mid-2016.
Hevel switches on 10 MW solar park in Russia
The solar facility is located in the Republic of Buryatia, where the Russian solar module manufacturer hopes to deploy 150 MW of solar.
Poland cancels solar auction for projects exceeding 1 MW
The Polish government said the auction was cancelled due to some adjustments relating the EU state aid rules that must be done in the legislation for renewables.
Hevel to raise capacity of heterojunction fab by 90 MW
The expansion plan also aims to increase the average module power up to over 400 W. The factory, located in Novocheboksarsk, produces 72-cells HJT standard and bifacial modules.
Scientists grind out solvent free perovskite thin-film process
Researchers from the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the renowned Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have collaborated on a new technique for the creation of perovskite solar cell materials. The technique replaces traditional solvent based processes with steel ball mill grinding.
Construction underway on first PV array for Chernobyl
Project developer Rodina today announced that construction is underway on the first solar power plant to be built on land inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone.
Kosovo announces auction scheme for solar
Through the new scheme, the local goverment hopes to attract investments in the amount of €100 million.
Czech solar association calls for policies to support industry growth
As Czech politicians negotiate to form a coalition government after the recent elections, the country’s solar association Solarni Asociace calls for stability, and warns incoming policymakers against the politicization of supporting for solar.
