The Hydrogen Stream: BMW, Exolum bet on H2 logistics
BMW Group says it will switch its Regensburg plant logistics to hydrogen by 2026, replacing electric vehicles with hydrogen-powered forklifts and tugger trains, while Exolum has launched a new business line to offer integrated logistics solutions across the hydrogen value chain
African solar looks beyond donor nations for investment
Multilateral organizations the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) have played a key role in the development of African solar and want to attract more private capital to a continent with at least 40% of the world’s solar irradiation but currently only 1% of its PV generation capacity.
JA Solar plans 2 GW solar cell, module factory in Egypt
Chinese manufacturer JA Solar has agreed to build a 2 GW solar cell and module factory in Egypt with support from UAE-based Global South Utilities.
Voltalia, Taqa Arabia to develop Egyptian 3 GW wind-solar facility
French developer Voltalia and Egyptian energy distribution company Taqa Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding to turn an existing 545 MW wind farm into a 3 GW hybrid wind-solar site.
Anti-soiling coating increases PV panel current in arid regions by 64.7%
Scientists in Egypt have created an anti-soiling coating for solar panels by mixing ethanol, deionized water, ammonium hydroxide and tetraethyl orthosilicate. They tested a coated panel outdoors for ten months and found that the panel showed a 64.7% higher current compared to reference modules without coating.
Egyptian scientists build PV-powered mini fridge with thermoelectric cooling
Egyptian researchers have developed a mini refrigerator powered by one to four thermoelectric units at varying voltages. They simulated and tested the system under different conditions, achieving a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 77.3%.
The Hydrogen Stream: Infinity sends fuel cell to NASA for lunar testing
Infinity says it has delivered a fuel cell prototype to NASA for ground testing, aimed at demonstrating a regenerative energy storage system for potential lunar applications.
Rotating, vertical floating PV system for offshore applications
An international group of scientists has designed a patented mooring tech and a vertical PV system that reportedly allows the bifacial solar panels to align with the prevailing wind direction to shed wind loads. Depending on a project’s latitude, the system can deliver different power yield.
Amea Power to build 1 GW of solar, 900 MWh of storage in Egypt
Dubai-based developer Amea Power has agreed to build a 1 GW solar plant with a 600 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and an additional 300 MWh BESS. This follows the signing of two power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Egyptian Electricity Transmission Co.
Egypt set for giant solar-plus-battery storage project
Norwegian developer Scatec ASA has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 1 GW solar array and 100 MW/200 MWh battery storage project in Egypt. CEO Terje Pilskog says it is Egypt’s first hybrid solar-plus-battery project.
