EDF, Masdar secure financing for 1.5 GW of solar near Abu Dhabi
EDF Renewables, Korea Western Power Co. (Kowepo), and Masdar have secured financing to build a 1.5 GW solar plant near Abu Dhabi, backed by a 30-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Emirates Water and Electricity Co.
A closer look at backsheet degradation in desert enviromnents
A Qatari research group has analyzed the performance of polyethylene terephthalate backsheets in real outdoor testing conditions in desert areas and has identified the main causes that lead to degradation. These include prolonged exposure to high ultraviolet radiation, high operating temperature cycling, and relative humidity.
Rooftop PV systems explode in several parts of Beirut
A number of solar arrays were reportedly involved in a second wave of electronic-device explosions across Lebanon yesterday, resulting in numerous injuries and deaths. On Tuesday, an initial series of blasts triggered by pagers targeted members of the Hezbollah militant group, but also affected civilians.
Bahrain’s Khalifa Bin Salman Port to host 11.4 MW solar plant
India’s Bhageria Industries plans to build a utility-scale PV facility at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port of northeastern Bahrain. The project marks Bhageria’s first international solar venture.
Lebanon launches tender for 8 MW solar plant
Lebanon’s Minister of Energy and Water has opened a tender for an 8 MW solar plant that will be publicly funded and connected to the medium-voltage grid to supply power to Electricité du Liban.
Mimicking chimpanzees’ hunting behavior to improve PV prediction models
Researchers have used the chimp optimization algorithm to optimize the hyperparameters of five PV power yield prediction machine learning models. This algorithm is based on the cooperative hunting behavior of chimpanzees in nature, mimicking the way they work together to target prey.
Assessing floating PV costs across Europe
Researchers have analyzed the viability of floating PV in terms of net present value, internal rate of return, and LCOE. They included 25 European countries in their work, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.
QatarEnergy to build 2 GW solar plant
QatarEnergy has unveiled plans for a 2 GW solar project in western Qatar, which will more than double the country’s cumulative installed solar capacity.
ACWA Power secures $2.6 billion for 5.5 GW of solar in Saudi Arabia
ACWA Power has obtained $2.6 billion through a consortium of banks for three solar plants in Saudi Arabia, with a combined capacity of 5.5 GW.
Gstar commits to 2 GW solar module factory in UAE
The Singapore-based company is entering the Middle Eastern market after signing a memorandum of understanding for a 2 GW solar module manufacturing project.
