The weekend read: The science of soil
Soiling and solar: No two solar plants are ever the same, and the conditions that can impact energy yield can literally change with the wind. Soiled solar modules had long been considered a minor nuisance for the sector, but as understanding of how soiling affects output improves, so have techniques and technologies to tackle the persistent problem of dirty modules.
Germany: Potential grand coalition partners, CDU/CSU and SPD want auctions for 4 GW of solar, wind
Negotiators of the three German parties have agreed on a common preliminary paper. They also agreed on additional tenders for large-scale solar and wind power projects, with a volume of 4 GW in the years 2019 and 2020.
Canadian Solar lowers Q4 revenue guidance due to delayed project sale
The Chinese Tier 1 solar company had hoped to finalize the sale of six PV power projects in the fourth quarter of last year, but delays to necessary government approvals mean Q4 revenue is lively to be around $700 million lower than expected.
Argentina launches tender for supply of 120,000 solar kits
The solar kits will be installed in rural areas with no connection to the country’s power grid.
Switzerland: New PV additions for 2017 range between 250 and 270 MW
According to provisional figures released by Swissolar, solar demand remained stable in the country last year. Looking ahead, the association expects another 300 MW to be deployed this year.
Portugal: ‘Unsubsidized’ approved large-scale PV projects top 756 MW, first private solar PPA signed
The projects will be developed without direct public incentives and will sell power to the spot market – an option still considered unviable by the local renewable energy sector – or through private PPAs. Meanwhile, local power provider, Axpo Iberia has agreed to buy electricity from a 28 MW solar facility planned in southern Portugal under a 10-year PPA.
Austrian solar incentives portal overwhelmed with applications, again
Around 3,000 incentive applications were filed with the portal in the first five minutes after it was activated. The first-come-first-serve principle, however, will not be applied to determine which developers will have access to the incentive program.
Azure Power wins 200 MW in SECI auction
Azure power has won a 200 MW solar PV project to be developed at the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan, in an auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
Shell to develop 20 MW PV project in southern Netherlands
The Dutch-British oil giant will build a 20 MW solar facility at its Moerdijk chemicals site. The project is part of the group’s strategy to install solar facilities at its own operations.
Australia: Rapid large scale solar segment growth potential risk to quality
The rapid build out of a large pipeline of utility scale PV projects around Australia could stretch the experienced installation labour force, threatening quality. Solar industry veteran and the Managing Director of PI Berlin Lars Podlowski made the warning as the company expands into Australia through its acquisition of quality assurance provider SolarBuyer.
