Construction begins on 23 MW solar plant in Gambia
Gambia National Water and Electric Co. (Nawec) says the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have agreed to finance a 23 MW solar plant in the African nation.
Financial close for 20 MW of PV, 5 MWh of storage in Madagascar
Axian has secured MGA 47.1 billion ($10.9 million) to finance a 40 MW solar plant and a 5 MWh storage facility in Madagascar. The installation is the island state’s largest solar park.
The Hydrogen Stream: World’s largest hydrogen airplane makes first flight
ZeroAvia tested its new 19-seat hydrogen-powered aircraft, Chinese scientists unveiled new tech to promote bubble removal in electrolyzers, and Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology researchers claimed that the most efficient hydrogen production systems are based on waste heat.
Weekend Read: Small change, big effect
Starting this year, ground-mounted solar modules in Germany can be replaced before the end of their service life, unlocking gigawatt-scale potential for new generation capacity without lengthy permitting processes or the need for new sites. Opinions differ as to what should happen with the decommissioned but still functioning modules, as pv magazine Deutschland’s Sandra Enkhardt reports.
Second-life batteries might beat new ones on solar LCOE in remote locations
UK scientists have discovered that second-life batteries could provide a lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) than conventional batteries in school buildings equipped with PV in East African schools. They said the cheapest system configuration uses either 7.5 kW or 10 kW of solar with 20 kWh of storage.
Only5mins! – ‘Additionality’ must be adhered to in Africa’s green hydrogen development
Chigozie Nweke-Eze is an economist, geographer and founder of Integrated Africa Power. He sat down with pv magazine to discuss green hydrogen development in Africa, from the project pipeline to the necessity of “additionality” when it comes to ensuring hydrogen doesn’t become yet another exploited African resource.
Only5mins! – ‘We are in desperate need of power’
Chanda Nxumalo, the chairperson of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), speaks with pv magazine about the prospects of the South African energy market, its new regulations and the bright future for the PV sector. Nxumalo also addresses the challenges and opportunities for battery storage, green hydrogen and women in renewables.
Ncondezi Energy secures land for 300 MW solar facility in Mozambique
Ncondezi Energy has secured land for a 300 MW solar-plus-storage project in Mozambique. It has also signed an agreement with India’s Synergy Consulting for support in securing debt financing.
Eritrea to build first utility-scale solar plant
The African Development Fund is helping the Eritrean government to deploy a 30 MW solar facility in Dekemhare, Eritrea. It has launched a tender to seek consultants for the project.
South Africa’s pipeline of unsubsidized PV projects hits 9 GW
The South African government has provided figures on “embedded generation projects” that are currently under development in the country. It also revealed that it will soon launch a tender for big storage projects.
