Wacker enters battery business with acquisition of 25% stake in Nexeon
The Munich-based chemical company has taken a substantial minority share in the British materials specialist to expand its silicon-based high-performance battery activity. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
Essent takes over Belgian solar installer Aralt
The Essent business of German utility RWE wants to widen its clean energy offer for Belgian clients. Last year Aralt achieved a €5 million turnover.
50 MW solar park comes online in Malaysia
The Kuala Ketil Solar Farm is in the state of Kedah, northwest Malaysia. Built by Chinese state-owned Edra Power, the plant also hosts agricultural activity.
The cooling effect of PV
Research from Finland’s Aalto University claims the residential cooling sector could sustain 540 GW of solar generation capacity if the world’s air conditioning systems were solar powered. Academics say synergies between PV and the cooling industry will become stronger as demand for the latter shifts nearer the equator, where seasonal differences in weather are less pronounced.
Luxembourg launches 40 MW solar procurement
The exercise will be open to PV projects ranging in size from 200 kW to 5 MW.
Los Angeles says “Yes” to the cheapest solar plus storage in the USA
Los Angeles’ municipal utility has voted 5-0 to approve a 25-year contract with a 400 MWac solar plus 300 MW / 1.2 GWh energy storage facility, with the aggregate price of the electricity from the project at 3.962¢/kWh.
Recovering interest rates may raise large scale solar electric price 11%
Renewables investment may by hit by rising interest rates despite the falling cost of clean energy tech just as fossil fuels avoid the impact of rising base rates.
Hybrid solar and micro-grids for Guyana
The nation’s cabinet has approved new contracts for solar projects under net metering rules across several regions. Investments include solar micro-grids for disconnected areas, grid-tied installations and hybrid projects.
Brazil sets $51/MWh solar ceiling price in A-6 auction
Some 29.7 GW worth of PV project capacity will compete in the procurement on October 18. Selected solar projects will have to begin delivering power in 2025 and will be awarded a 20-year power purchase agreement.
French start-up launches solar engine
The invention converts the energy produced by PV cells directly into mechanical motion without the need for batteries or power electronics. Its developers claim the robustness of the solar motor can drive water pumps and ventilation turbines for more than 20 years without the need for maintenance.
