South Africa launches 616 MW/2,464 MWh battery storage tender
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) of South Africa has opened the third bid window for its Battery Energy Storage IPP Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP), which is procuring a total of 1,744 MW of four-hour battery storage systems. It has also announced the final winner from the first window.
Cameroon exempts imported PV components from customs duties
PV modules, inverters, charge controllers, batteries and cables intended for rooftop solar systems will benefit from exemptions from customs duties until 2025.
Testing zeotropic fluids in high-temperature heat pumps
A German-Nigerian research group simulated the usage of mixtures of zeotropic fluids with varying boiling or condensing temperatures in industrial heat pumps. The best results were obtained with a mixture of cyclohexane and cyclopropane.
Gambia commissions 23 MW solar plant
The Gambia has inaugurated a 23 MW solar plant with 8 MWh of battery storage as part of the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP), which targets universal electricity access by 2025.
NREL updates online tool with data for Africa, Eastern Europe, Middle East
The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has added a high-resolution solar data set covering Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East on its Renewable Energy Data Explorer tool.
Zanzibar turns to solar for holiday resorts
Researchers and investors say they see room for PV investments in Zanzibar, due to the energy needs of many luxury holiday resorts.
UK firm finalizes $18 million deal for renewables in Nigeria
UK-based Konexa has finalized a deal that will see Climate Fund Managers and Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund invest $18 million to establish Nigeria’s inaugural private renewable trading platform and provide renewable energy to Nigeria Breweries.
Cape Town launches online solar authorization portal
Cape Town, South Africa, has opened an online portal to simplify the authorization process for solar and reduce approval waiting times.
The Hydrogen Stream: DNV launches hydrogen blending studies in North America
DNV has started working on blending feasibility studies in the Canadian province of British Columbia, while the US Department of Energy has announced $750 million in funding for 52 hydrogen projects across 24 states.
After-sale support key to boosting off-grid solar
A new survey from US-based impact measurement company 60 Decibels shows off-grid energy customers are currently facing a series of challenges such as product affordability, gender inequality, customer support, further investment in minigrids, and over-indebtedness. The report, however, reveals that most users say the quality of their lives “very much improved” thanks to off-grid PV.
