North America

CPUC has signed off on four lithium-ion battery projects in California, the United States, one of which at 300 MW is the largest battery project to date known by pv magazine.

No, Rupert Murdoch’s son will not be running the world’s largest EV maker.

Zinc battery specialist NantEnergy has acquired the U.S. energy systems and services business from Japanese electronics giant Sharp. The acquisition, according to NantEnergy, will provide the company with an important foothold in the U.S. market and allow it to provide “energy as a service” business models, using its Zinc-air battery, in multiple markets.

The new Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives will still need to deal with a Republican Senate and president, and is unlikely to take bold action.

The rise of batteries will attract that headline figure in investment up to 2040, say analysts, as exponential growth in EV ownership, falling stationery system costs and the needs of the world’s grid-poor regions combine to boost lithium-ion technology.

Clean energy is on the ballot on November 6, and these are the states where voters will be making the biggest decisions.

EBITDA for the third quarter of 2018 increased 146%, revenue is also performing well, with the company expecting 40% increase throughout the second half of 2018, and the company reports that its gross profit has increased by 64% compared to 2017. Citing significant order increase for solar thin film products the materials suppliers touts strong three quarters of 2018.

The high efficiency PV maker is still chasing elusive profitability, but had some major successes this quarter and is optimistic about new technologies and opportunities.

pv magazine brings you a special edition devoted to the fast-growing energy storage space, including a look at its thornier challenges

A report from the United States’ Rocky Mountain Institute finds more work is needed on the demand side for microgrids and other rural electrification projects in Africa. Such projects, says the report, often focus on building generation capacity, with little consideration for the ability of end users to make good use of energy.