EU records annual rise of 7 TWh in third-quarter solar output
European renewables, including Spanish solar, made big gains as energy demand recovered before the second wave of Covid infections. Nuclear was a notable loser, in part because clean energy volumes in the north of the continent drove down power prices sufficiently to make reactors uncompetitive.
New manufacturing method for kesterite solar cells
German scientists have designed a manufacturing process to reduce the thickness of the molybdenum diselenide interface layer in kesterite solar cells. They used two different configurations of silicon-oxynitride diffusion-barrier layers.
Offshore hydrogen production powered by floating PV
Spain’s Repsol will develop a €4.5 million ($5.5 million) pilot project to produce green hydrogen with floating PV for the Santander Port Authority. It will be completed in December 2023.
Equinor, Saipem test offshore solar in Norwegian Sea
The two companies want to test a floating PV array under harsh weather conditions in rough waters for at least a year. The system will be based on a floating solar technology developed by Maritime Moss, a unit of Saipem.
Germanium-based solar cell tech for agrivoltaics
German scientists have fabricated an enhanced amorphous germanium PV cell that confines light in an ultra-thin absorber. It has the potential to combine PV with photosynthesis in new solar applications on bio-reactors, greenhouses, and agricultural land.
Fraunhofer ISE develops technique to produce glowing colored solar modules
The German research institute has proposed a technique based on the surface structure of the wings of the morpho butterfly to produce colored BIPV panels for facades and rooftops. The process is claimed to make it possible to color the modules with an optical effect and not with color pigments, which reduce their efficiency.
Complementary hybrid PV systems can reduce reliance on storage
Looking back over years of research into the topic of hybrid systems based on different combinations of solar, wind, hydro and other renewables, an international group of scientists found strong potential for strategies to exploit complementarity between the different sources integrate more intermittent renewables onto regional and national grids. The scientists present a series of conclusions and recommendations that aim to push research in hybrid renewables forward.
More PPA-linked big solar under development in Denmark
Luxcara and Be Green want to build 415 MW of unsubsidized solar in Denmark. The authorities are planning four solar parks, with the electricity to be sold to power consumers under power purchase agreements.
Baywa re energizes more floating PV in the Netherlands
The German renewable energy company has completed two more projects, totaling 29.2 MW, in the country.
Italy’s first energy community for solar power sharing
The solar energy community will be part of a citizen energy community aimed at covering the energy needs of half of the citizens of an Italian, small northern municipality.
