UK could reach 12 GW storage capacity within five years, report finds
Lessons learned from solar failures could propel battery storage market to 12 GW by 2021, argues report by All-Party Parliamentary Group on Energy Storage, which implores government to be “on the front foot” when it comes to seizing ways to ensure energy security for the nation.
Switzerland to replace FITs with solar rebates in 2018
According to Swissolar, this change will allow more PV capacity to be deployed, as waiting times for the implementation of FIT contracts are considerably increasing. Self-consumption is also becoming more attractive for multi-family houses and commercial enterprises.
France reduces grid fees for residential and commercial PV
The grid fees will be lowered for all solar power generators not exceeding in size 5 MW, depending on the system size.
Singulus develops new diamond wire multi wafer texturing process
The German tooling firm announces the development of a new texturing process for multicrystalline wafers using diamond wire sawing on its LINEX inline system. Company believes process can boost multi wafer market in 2018.
RENA leans on solar knowledge to develop mass etching process for lithium-ion batteries
German PV equipment manufacturer to team with Kiel University to develop scalable production of silicon anodes to boost lithium-ion battery performance.
Researchers demonstrate feasibility of bio-photovoltaic cells to generate electricity
Using water as the source of electrons, microbial bio-photovoltaic (BPV) cells have the capacity to exploit the ability of cyanobacteria and microalgae to convert light energy into electrical current.
Italy set to reach 400 MW of new PV capacity in 2017
New additions for the first 10 months of this year totaled 352 MW, representing 12% growth compared to the same period a year earlier, and enough solar to meet 8.7% of total power demand.
UK researchers seek to improve conductivity of fluorine doped tin dioxide in coatings for solar cells
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have identified the root of low conductivity in fluorine doped tin dioxide coating, a result that may have positive development for the glass coating of solar cells.
Capital Stage acquires 47 MW of solar in the Netherlands
The German solar and wind power plant operator has made its first move into the Dutch solar market.
Curaçao and Dutch Caribbean launch tenders for two more solar projects
While Curaçao’s power utility Aqualectra seeks developers for a 10-15 MW solar park, Saba Electric Company, the energy provider of the Saba island, is tendering 1 MW of PV capacity combined with storage.
