Centrica moves into California solar with Vista acquisition
The British energy and services company’s acquisition of the C&I solar contractor is the latest among a number of moves it has made into solar and batteries.
BYD, Kostal announce energy storage partnership
Following on from a partnership in 2017, Kostal and BYD are looking to further strengthen their ties under a new deal, which will see them provide storage solutions to the residential and commercial solar segments.
Clean tech transition could generate 65 million jobs, save $26 trillion – study
The New Climate Economy and OVO Energy, together with the Imperial College London, have published two independent reports pointing at the tremendous financial advantages resulting from clean tech transitions. Carbon pricing schemes could reap global sales of around US$2.8 billion, they say. Wide-spread use of storage, V2G, and electric heating could further save U.K. homes around $258 per year.
French research group changes polymer molecular structure to improve PV properties
The scientists have shown how the control of the molecular structure of a semiconductor polymer makes it possible to obtain a PV conversion efficiency of more than 10% for an organic solar cell.
PV steps in to cover coal and nuclear power shortfalls
The sunny, dry summer has seen solar break several records and PV kept the lights on when a lack of coolant – caused by rising river water temperatures – led to the temporary shuttering of conventional power plants in France and Germany.
Scientists claim 10% saving for black-Si cell production with dry-etching
Researchers from Finland’s Aalto University and the Michigan Technological University, in the US, say they have demonstrated the cost per unit of power of black-Si PERC cells could fall 10.8%, despite an increase in cell processing cost.
Industry calls for UK-EU electricity market, COP24 cooperation post Brexit
Twelve signatories from the energy and consumer goods industry have sent an open letter to the EU and U.K., calling for continued cooperation after Brexit to protect both consumer, and business, interests. The document highlights the importance of tariff-free electricity trading as intermittent renewable energy will require a higher degree of market integration.
Only three bids for Montenegro 200 MW solar tender
The interested developers are a consortium formed by Fortum and local utility EPCG; Malta-based IREDL; and a domestic group named Montesolar.
Macedonia’s utility goes solar to the tune of 10 MW
The €10 million project is planned to be tendered in early 2019, and likely to be part financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
RECC Survey: UK proposal to end tariffs could cost thousands of jobs
RECC survey respondents say they will face major job cuts if solar tariffs are phased out in April, as proposed by the UK government. Reportedly more than 75% of jobs in the UK’s solar sector could be lost. A previous cut in tariffs prompted the loss of 9,000 jobs. Last week the industry sent an open letter to the energy minister opposing the policy.
