Solar park built on rough wooden structures comes online in France
French company Céléwatt energized its 250 kW ground-mounted array, built with mounting structures made of raw oak wood.
Impact of solar on biodiversity in France
A newly published report looks at the impact of solar projects on biodiversity. It shows that the environmental consequences of solar tend to vary, depending on species and location.
Fraunhofer ISE achieves 35.9% efficiency for III-V triple-junction solar cell based on silicon
The cell, which looks externally like a device with a two-terminal architecture, was built with III-V semiconductor layers that were connected to the silicon sub-cell on the atomic level. The cell may be used in electrically powered aircraft and drones.
Massive plan for hybrid heat pump deployment in the Netherlands
The Dutch association of national-regional electricity and gas network operators, Netbeheer Nederland, is leading a plan to deploy up to 2 million hybrid heat pumps by 2030. The plan should be supported by a subsidy scheme by the government and enable the installation of at least 100,000 heat pumps per year from 2024.
Germany aims to tender 4 GW of additional PV in 2022
Germany might tender a total of 6 GW of solar next year if the authorities decide to move forward with plans to add 4 GW to the existing volume. An additional 100 MW could be tendered for agrivoltaics and floating PV.
U.K. takes another tiny step to smart energy system
Energy regulator Ofgem has announced it aims to bring in market-wide half-hourly settlement across the retail electricity market – from October 2025. The long timescale reflects a sluggish attitude at an inconsistent regulator which appears to be planning an unpredictable route to net zero.
Meyer Burger buys wafers from different manufacturers
Before the official start of production, the Swiss photovoltaic manufacturer signed contracts with several suppliers that only use polysilicon produced by Wacker Chemie. Meyer Burger plans to start producing its solar modules and cells in Germany in the second quarter.
Developer secures first approval for 300 MW unsubsidized solar plant in Germany
The Anklam municipality approved the resolution for the project construction. The land-use planning for what could become the largest planned photovoltaic power plant in Germany to date can now begin.
Sweden to devote another $30.8 million to PV rebates for homeowners
The new budget will be devoted to private individuals only. The Swedish Energy Agency has so far devoted around $570 million to the solar rebate program, for the 2009-21 period.
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.
