Algeria announces 1 GW renewables tender
The tender is expected to be launched between June and July and to be divided into ten lots of 100 MW each. Domestic content requirements for modules, cables and mounting structures should be included in the procurement exercise.
Botswana tops list of world’s ‘super abundant’ renewables nations
A Carbon Tracker report estimates 60% of the world’s technical solar potential – enough to produce 3.5 exawatt-hours of clean electricity per year – would already be cheaper than fossil fuel if installed. Of the remainder, most would be in sub-Saharan Africa, a region which has the potential to be a global solar and wind powerhouse.
Solar-plus-storage for Egyptian gold mine
German developer Juwi plans to have a 36 MW off-grid solar plant and 7.5 MW of battery storage operational at the Sukari mine during the second quarter of next year.
A case study in African solar policy problems
Dutch off-grid solar organization GOGLA has focused on the negative effect of the reimposition of VAT and import duties on solar lighting systems in Kenya as emblematic of the lack of legislative support for clean energy across the continent.
Special trade zones can help Africa’s energy transition
With investors often put off by a lack of supportive policy for renewables on the continent, the exceptions made to attract money to its economic trade zones might also prove more friendly to clean power infrastructure spending.
China’s Covid recovery saw green bond issuance rebound in second half of 2020
The $18bn worth of sustainable finance instruments floated in the nation last year marked a retreat from previous highs but, with most of the bonds issued from July onwards, the recovery is under way, according to the IFC, which is anticipating a more-than-$100 billion sector in emerging markets over the next three years.
EU to offer expertise to drive renewables-friendly policy across Africa
The oft-heard industry call for more supportive policy for renewables, this time in Africa, has prompted the European Commission to pledge to work with its continental counterpart on improving the clean energy regulatory environment.
Submarine cable to connect 10.5 GW wind-solar complex in Morocco to the UK grid
UK-based Xlinks is planning to build 10.5 GW of wind and solar in Morocco and sell the power generated by the huge plant in the UK. This should be made possible by a 3,800 km high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line that would be connected to locations in Wales and Devon. The company’s CEO, Simon Morrish, spoke with pv magazine about the ambitious project, and on how it should become feasible.
Africa’s solarized digitalization agenda
The seventh session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development convened on the theme of “Building forward better towards a resilient and green Africa to achieve the 2030 & 2063 Agenda” and promote the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
Keep cool and distribute stress: A recipe for improved performance
Both higher energy yields and longer lifetimes are needed for PV modules to meet growing customer expectations. Couple this with the fast moving nature of PV technology – larger formats, new cell interconnection techniques and many more can all affect long term performance – and it’s clear that understanding and mitigating the various mechanisms that lead to performance has never been more important. In this pv magazine Webinar we’ll examine the roles of temperature, humidity and mechanical stress in driving some of these mechanisms, and how Coolback’s innovative solution promises to limit the effects of these, ensuring both better day-to-day module performance and a longer operational lifetime.
