Greek utility reaches financial close on 230 MW of solar at former coal mine
Greece’s Public Power Corp. (PPC) has secured €102.4 million ($111 million) of financing, with at least €28.5 million coming from the European Investment Bank (EIB). The funds will support the construction of 230 MW of PV capacity in Ptolemaida, which is Greece’s coal mining region.
Flexible cadmium telluride solar cell with 12.6% efficiency via lift-off method
A US research team has developed a cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell through a lift-off method that reportedly ensures higher crystallinity of the cadmium sulfide film. The device has a power conversion efficiency of 12.60%, an open-circuit voltage of 0.829 V, a short-circuit current density of 23.64 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 64.30%.
Romania reduces VAT on residential solar to 5%
The Romanian parliament adopted a reduction from 19% to 5% on value-added tax (VAT) on PV panels for use in residential homes and public buildings.
Renac unveils high-voltage hybrid inverters for residential applications
Renac Power’s new hybrid inverters have efficiency ratings of up to 97.5% and European efficiency ratings of 97.2%. They are available in four versions, with power outputs ranging from 3 kW to 6 kW.
Bangladesh’s largest solar plant goes online
India’s Rays Power Infra has switched on a 275 MW solar plant in Bangladesh. It says it completed the South Asian nation’s largest PV project within the scheduled time frame of 14 months.
Wood Mackenzie sees $114 billion in US renewables investments by 2031
The advanced manufacturing production (AMPC) credit and domestic content requirement (DCR) will be key to supporting the rapid development of the US renewable energy economy, says Wood Mackenzie.
US Patent Trial and Appeal Board rules in favor of Q Cells in patent dispute with REC
The US Patent Trial and Appeal Board has issued a favorable decision for Hanwha Q Cells over REC Solar’s patent claims. The court has ruled that the contested claims of REC’s US patent were not patentable. The decision is similar to those in courts in China and Europe, according to Q Cells.
New residential battery inverter solution from China
Esysunhome (ESYSH), a new energy storage company in China, has developed a 5.12 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system with a 7.9 kW inverter. It says six modules can be combined for up to 30.72 kWh of energy storage capacity.
Solar Wadi launches tender for 100 MW PV plant in Oman
Omani developer Solar Wadi is seeking engineering, procurement and construction contractors to build a planned PV project in Sohar Industrial City, Oman.
New modular solar solution features cost-cutting ‘slide-together’ system
Green Energy Systems has unveiled a new Australia-made prefabricated modular PV solution for large-scale applications that purportedly offers significant cost reductions by eliminating all stainless-steel nuts, bolts and other traditional fitments in favor of a “slide-together” aluminum junction system.
