U.S. scientists develop scale for measuring perovskite energy
A team from Rice University and Los Alamos National Laboratory has been able to observe electronic properties of perovskites at the quantum scale, and made discoveries likely to impact the development of perovskite solar cells.
World’s largest li-ion battery and 707 MW of solar power in Colorado proposal
Xcel Energy’s 120-day report to Colorado regulators includes an additional 1.1 GW of wind at 1.1-1.8¢/kWh. Solar power bids have come in at 2.2-2.7¢/kWh, and solar+storage at 3.0-3.2¢/kWh.
SolarPower Europe revises down global outlook for 2018… but only a bit
Despite recent developments in China, the European solar association believes global newly installed PV capacity this year will reach 102 GW, only 5 GW lower than its previous guidance.
More haste, less speed – or momentum – for PV efficiency related research
Physicists at MIT and in Haifa have come up with a theory for slowing down light that could dramatically improve solar PV cell efficiency – the question now is whether it will work in practice, and on silicon.
Physicists shine a light on photon absorbency – research with potentially huge PV implications
Researchers were able to effect electronic transitions at different frequencies, and through a different physical process, by altering the angle at which nanolayers of gold were positioned. Being able to predict and fine-tune the nature of such transitions could have a fundamental affect on solar PV cell efficiency.
China steps in to fill US solar void in the occupied territories
With Palestinian developers keeping a low-profile since the advent of the Trump administration, Chinese government money is funding PV projects to support electricity supplies in the disputed nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
Engie acquires French solar developer Langa
The French energy giant has consolidated its new clean energy focus through the acquisition. The Langa group is expected to have operational PV assets of 165 MW in France by the end of the year.
BNEF expects 34% fall in PV module prices in 2018
The organization is expecting carnage throughout the solar value chain as the result of reduced policy support for deployment in China.
JinkoSolar to supply sPower with 1.43 GW of panels
The massive order follows the 2.75 GW supply deal the Chinese manufacturer signed with NextEra, as it deepens its presence in the U.S. market.
Bilateral PPAs help independent retailers drive large scale Australian solar
Commercial electricity retailer Flow Power has signed an offtake deal through to 2030 for a quarter of the production from the Kiamal Solar Farm, in Victoria. Total Eren – developer of the $90 million, 200 MW project – has now signed three bilateral PPAs with offtakers – pointing the way for project developers as large-scale solar’s competiveness continues to grow.
