EDP to build Portugal’s first MW-sized PV plant coupled with storage
The 3.8 MW project is conceived for self-consumption of two facilities of the lead-acid battery manufacturer Exide in Castanheira do Ribatejo and Azambuja.
REC Silicon raises $20 million through private placement
The polysilicon maker said it will use the funds to improve its liquidity situation until access to the Chinese polysilicon market is restored. It sold 254,381,870 shares, which corresponds to approximately 9.9% of its oustanding capital.
Sweden allocates $80 million for solar rebates in 2019
The sum devoted to the rebate scheme was increased by another $32.4 million on top of what the government had previously allocated. The percentage covering the costs for buying and installing a PV system will be lowered from 30% to 20%, which may result in a higher number of installations and larger growth volumes.
Taiwan becomes a GW solar market
TrendForce says the country deployed more than 1 GW of new PV for the first time last year, and predicts this year may see as much as 1.5 GW of new solar capacity. The nation’s cumulative capacity reached 2,618 MW at the end of last year, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.
Mitsubishi offers residential solar-plus-storage EV charging in Japan and Europe
The Dendo Drive House includes a solar system, residential storage and a bi-directional charger. Mitsubishi says it reduces electric bills and fuel costs by enabling battery charging from the grid at night, when power prices are cheaper, and can also draw power from an electric vehicle.
Hungary deployed more than 400 MW of solar in 2018
The nation had a record year for solar energy development. Most of last year’s new additions – 320 MW – came through a FIT scheme but a further 90 MW was represented by net metered installations. Hungary’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached around 700 MW in 2018.
Belgian scientists develop solar hydrogen panel
The innovation is said to be able to produce 250 liters of hydrogen per day and can convert sunlight and water vapor from the air directly into hydrogen gas with an efficiency of 15%.
Croatian utility announces 350 MW solar expansion plan
After issuing its first call for renewable energy projects in February, power company HEP has now announced it will invest $23 million annually in solar until 2023, to add new capacity additions of 20 MW per year. The 350 MW plan is expected to be complete in 2030.
Global solar may reach 8,500 GW by 2050 – IRENA
Solar and wind could account for three-fifths of electricity generation in 2050, with more than 14.5 TW of installed power. Lumped together, renewables are expected to reach a power generation capacity of around 20 TW.
PV projects totaling 26 GW to compete in Brazil’s A-4 auction
Energy agency the EPE has admitted 1,581 projects with a total capacity of more than 54 GW to the procurement exercise’s initial phase.
