Tractor-mounted, hydraulic panel cleaning arm for solar farms
India’s Next Automation has developed a tractor-mounted hydraulically operated arm as a cleaning solution for panels in solar farms.
Fortescue buys cattle stations for 5GW renewable energy hub
Fortescue Future Industries has purchased three cattle stations in Western Australia on which it plans to build a renewable energy hub to decarbonize its mining business and export green hydrogen and green ammonia.
UK government to ramp up solar capacity
Under a new energy strategy, the UK government aims to expand solar deployment by up to five times by 2035, in addition to developing 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050 and 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
Austria launches €240 million rebate scheme for rooftop PV
The Austrian government has more than quadrupled the budget for the 2022 edition of its rooftop solar rebate program.
South Africa launches tender for 1GW of PV
South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has kicked off the sixth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP). It aims to procure 1 GW of PV and 1.6 GW of wind power.
Lightweight solar for agricultural water reservoirs
The Genap Energy Cover uses HyET Solar Powerfoil thin-film solar modules, rated at 12.0% efficiency, for agricultural water storage and reservoirs, with an initial focus on the greenhouse and horticulture markets in the Netherlands. Genap said a 12kWp test setup had a generation density of 60W/m2, rising to 120W/m2 within a year, with an eventual target of 165W/m2.
Juwi commissions 204MW solar park in Greece
German renewable energy developer Juwi has completed a 204MW solar plant with more than 500,000 JinkoSolar PV modules. The company said it is currently Europe’s largest bifacial solar park.
Gautam Solar releases gel battery solution for solar storage
India’s Gautam Solar says its gel batteries provide a safer, cost-effective, and long-lasting alternative for the energy storage space.
India’s utility-scale PV capacity hit 41.7GW in December
India installed 41.7GW of cumulative utility-scale solar capacity as of Dec. 31, 2021. It has another 44.6GW in the pipeline.
Ikea invests €340 million in solar
Ikea’s holding company, INGKA Holding, will invest €340 million ($371 million) to acquire nine PV systems from Enerparc. In the future, Ikea said it will work with Svea Solar to sell residential PV systems.
