World

Developers apply for development consent order to build new utility-scale project in England. The solar project is a first for Orsted in the UK market and is one of four large-scale solar plants developed by PS Renewables in the United Kingdom.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.

The solar energy industry continues to push the boundaries of efficiency and reliability. However, as innovative photovoltaic cell and module technologies emerge, they also bring a new set of challenges in durability and performance. A new report from IEA PVPS Task 13, titled “Degradation and Failure Modes in New Photovoltaic Cell and Module Technologies,” offers a comprehensive analysis of degradation and failure mechanisms in current photovoltaic technologies.

Oil and gas giant BP wants to sell stake in Lightsource BP just four months after completing full takeover of the renewables developer. New “strategy reset” will also cut company’s investment in energy transition by $5 billion per year.

The global solar module industry is expected to regain a sustainable balance in the next six months, Yana Hryshko, head of Solar Supply Chain Research for Wood Mackenzie, told pv magazine. She explains why solar module prices may increase soon, suggesting that Tier 1 modules prices could reach $0.14-$0.15/W by the end of this year, and discusses how consolidation is materializing within the global PV industry.

An international team investigated repeated thermal stress on metal-halide perovskite solar cells and has proposed strategies to boost resistance to degradation effects of diurnal cycles or geographical conditions.

Researchers say the 10 countries with the most golf courses could install up to 842 GW of utility-scale solar or 659 GW of wind capacity on land equivalent in size to that used for the sport.

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say that residential solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and water heaters could all form part of a local electricity market to restore power or ease grid stress following cyberattacks or severe weather conditions.

The Hong Kong-based consulting firm’s latest financial stability ranking based on Altman-Z scores sees Hoymiles, Eaton, and APSystems (Yuneng Technology) in the top three positions.

High-efficiency solar modules are becoming scarce, prompting some retailers to stockpile in anticipation of rising prices, says Martin Schachinger, founder of pvXchange.com. He expects module prices to climb moderately but steadily until at least early next quarter.