Tender opens for hybrid solar systems at Sudanese refugee camps
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a tender to supply five solar hybrid systems for water treatment plants at refugee camps in Sudan’s White Nile State. The deadline to submit expressions of interest is May 30.
Liberia seeks consultants for solar verification process
Liberia has launched a tender for consultants to verify claims by off-grid companies deploying standalone rooftop systems, solar home systems, and isolated minigrids. Applications are due by May 22.
Tiny solar-plus-battery kits yield annual savings exceeding hardware cost
Researchers found multiple benefits after distributing free solar panels and battery systems with USB ports to 800 rural households in Ghana.
Financing secured for 62 MW solar project in Togo
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is backing a 62 MW solar project in Togo with a financing package totaling €26.5 million ($29.4 million). French power utility Électricité de France is developing the plant.
PV module cleaning should be included in green building standards
Scientists in Sudan have called for the inclusion of PV module cleaning operations in green building standards to address a key maintenance gap in renewable energy systems. It would target improved system performance in environments where dust and soiling pose persistent challenges.
Togo breaks ground on solar-plus-storage project
Togo has begun construction on a 25 MW solar plant with 36 MWh of battery storage in the country’s north. China’s TBEA International Engineering is leading the project, which is scheduled for completion within 13 months.
Preventing soiling with surface textured photovoltaic dummies
Scientists in South Africa have used computational fluid dynamics to investigate whether a dummy panel, placed in front of a working PV panel, can mitigate soiling. They have tested this setup with various inclination angles, heights, and distances and have found that the dummies accumulated up to 58% more dust than the PV panels.
How to combine photovoltaics with rainwater harvesting
Scientists have developed a system that harvests rainwater running off PV panels for household use or hydrogen production. Their analysis showed that, in the southern Sahel, the system can meet both the energy and water requirements for electrolysis, with surplus rainwater covering up to 50% of a household’s daily water demand.
Japan’s Toyo begins production at 2 GW solar cell plant in Ethiopia
Toyo Co. has started production at its 2 GW solar cell facility in Ethiopia, with plans to deliver more than 80 MW of tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cells by the end of April before scaling capacity to 4 GW.
Almost 9 GW of utility-scale solar under construction in Africa
The Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) says utility-scale solar projects are under development in 45 of Africa’s 54 countries, with more projects pairing solar and storage and emerging from direct negotiations between private developers and host governments.
