New Zealand to fast-track approval process for solar projects
New Zealand’s large-scale solar market is set to shift up a gear, with the government referring two PV projects to an independent fast-track consenting panel. The installations have a combined generation capacity of more than 500 GWh per annum.
Solcast sheds light on utility PV performance across Australia
Observations shared by Solcast, a solar specialist, have shed new light on the impressive performance of Australian solar farms.
Avaada Energy wins 560 MW solar project with $0.035/kWh bid in India
Avaada Energy has won a 560 MW (DC) solar project from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL). The project will supply power to MSEDCL at a tariff of INR 2.88 ($0.035)/kWh.
Chinese solar module makers announce new TOPCon plans
DAH Solar says it wants to reach 5.5 GW of TOPCon solar module capacity by the end of this year. Ronma Solar, meanwhile, says it wants to build an 18 GW panel factory in Jinhua, in China’s Zhejiang province.
Ecuador allocates 120 MW of PV in renewables auction
The government of Ecuador has allocated 500 MW of renewable energy capacity in its latest procurement exercise. The selected developers secured 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Average solar LCOE increases for first time this year
A new report by Lazard compares the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for various generation technologies on a $/MWh basis. It shows that utility-scale solar and onshore wind LCOE increased for the first time in 2023, at $24/MWh to $96/MWh for solar and $24/MWh to $75 MWh for wind. Nevertheless, the two renewable sources are still the economic frontrunners when compared to nuclear, gas, and coal.
Germany wraps up large-scale PV tender with average price of €0.0703/kWh
Germany’s first auction of the year for utility-scale solar concluded with prices ranging from €0.0529 ($0.059)/kWh to €0.0730/kWh. The procurement exercise was significantly oversubscribed.
Hybrid wind-solar power system for residential applications
Dutch startup Airturb has developed a 500 W hybrid wind-solar power system featuring a vertical axis wind turbine and a solar base hosting four 30 W solar panels. The system can be used for rooftop or off-grid applications.
Scotland to deploy first floating PV array
Nova Innovation, a leader in tidal energy tech, says it will install Scotland’s first floating PV demonstrator later this year. The company currently has a multi-megawatt international pipeline under development.
Saltwater flow battery produces graphene while charging
Salgenx has developed a way to produce graphene on demand from its saltwater flow battery. The tech exploits the electrochemical properties of the battery’s cathode to exfoliate graphite into individual layers of graphene. The company says it can produce graphene for less than $1.25 per gram, providing storage businesses with an additional revenue stream.
