Global installed PV capacity exceeds 300 GW, IEA PVPS
The world’s cumulative PV capacity had surpassed 303 GW at the of 2016, according to a report from IEA PVPS. Globally, solar power is now able to cover approximately 1.8% of power demand.
French presidential election: what to expect for solar from the winners of the first round?
Both winners of the first round have said they want more solar during their electoral campaigns. While Macron promises to double installed PV capacity by 2022, Le Pen claims she will push for a massive deployment of solar and biomass (not wind), although under an “intelligent protectionism”.
Germany could miss 2020 renewable energy target, report says
According to German renewable energy association BEE, the country could fail to reach its 2020 EU target for renewables covering 18% of its total energy consumption. The association claims that if Germany aims to achieve this target, an additional 22 TWh of electricity from renewables per year must come from the power, heat and transport sectors.
Getting ready for terawatts of solar (with charts)
Researchers from NREL, Fraunhofer ISE and Japan’s AIST have released a new paper which looks at the barriers to deploying multiple terawatts of solar PV and what can be done to overcome them.
4JET launches CIGS processing tool
German equipment supplier 4JET microtech has launched its new MPCT solution which it says will enable laser edge deletion, bus bar exposure and via drilling operations in CIGS glass substrates.
STA calls on UK Government to remove tax barriers to solar
Data released this week by Britain’s Solar Trade Association shows that rooftop deployments across the country plummeted in the first quarter of 2017, after a hike in the business rates for small solar installations took effect earlier in the year.
HSH Nordbank provides $24.6 million financing for 37.9 MW PV project in Denmark
The German bank announced that it will finance a second solar park in the Scandinavian country. The PV plant will be located in the municipality of Vandel/Billund, in southern Denmark.
Sweden and Norway extend joint electricity certificate system for renewables to 2030
The governments of Sweden and Norway have come to an agreement on how the electricity certificate system for renewable energies will be further implemented. The joint market-based support system of the two Scandinavian countries is open to power plants utilizing biofuels, wind, solar, hydro and tidal energy.
Imec claims 22.8% efficiency for bifacial n-type PERT solar cell
The Belgian research institute has developed a bifacial n-PERT solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 22.8%. Imec researchers claim this cell has the potential for a cost-of-ownership at module level of less than $0.30/W.
Netherlands’ Gasunie launches 1 MW power-to-gas pilot project powered by solar
The Dutch gas provider is building Netherlands’ first MW-sized power-to-gas installation. The plant will be powered by 5,000 solar modules.
