Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy discusses the state of solar at BNEF Summit
pv magazine publisher, Eckhart Gouras, interviewed Diego Mesa, the Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy at the BNEF Summit in New York. Mesa recounted the history of solar PV adoption in his country and provided details on the most recent developments, including the construction of Colombia’s largest solar park by Italian group Enel and the first large scale battery project by Canadian Solar.
Mobile agrivoltaic system from the Netherlands
Created by a Dutch group of companies and research institutions, the mobile solar system may also be combined with an electrolyzer for hydrogen generation. Two prototypes are currently being tested by a farmer and a research institute in the Netherlands.
Spain curtails PV for first time
The Spanish authorities applied solar curtailment for the first time on Easter Sunday, when power generation exceeded demand and the wholesale electricity price went from €168.50 ($182)/MWh to just €3.70/MWh.
Philippines utility Meralco relaunches 850 MW renewables tender
Meralco has decided to reopen a renewables tender, following its initial failed launch in late January.
District heating via solar-powered heat pump using industrial waste heat
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems is assessing how a solar-powered heat pump system that uses waste heat from a distillery at a low-temperature level could be used to provide district heating. Waste heat is injected into an ice storage tank, to which heat pumps are connected on the source side.
Three-year commercial PV payback expected via roof mount cost reductions
Solar Atmospheres says a 772 kW PV solar array, installed on S-5! metal roofing mounts, and a 1,561 kW/3,122 kWh Tesla battery storage system will help it to meet its varying energy demands.
Natural hydrogen – how it works and why companies are interested
Natural hydrogen is piquing interest. Sometimes referred to as “gold” or “white” hydrogen, natural hydrogen plants offer smaller carbon footprints than sprawling green hydrogen projects, with faster development times, according to Avon McIntyre, executive director of HyTerra.
India’s GUVNL seeks 1 GW of solar
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL) has issued a tender to procure up to 500 MW of solar power, on top of an additional 500 MW. Bidding closes on May 18.
The Hydrogen Stream: Salzgitter claims record efficiency for largest high-temperature electrolyzer
Salzgitter has claimed a record efficiency level for its EU-funded GrInHy2.0 hydrogen project, which is based on solid oxide electrolysis cell tech. The high-temperature electrolyzer uses waste heat from the company’s steel production processes.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Hoshine expands PV glass output, Tongwei raises cell prices
Hoshine plans to expand PV glass production, while Tongwei is raising PV cell prices, with a particular focus on monocrystalline cells. Maxwell Technology has secured a 4.8 GW production line order from India’s Reliance Industries, while JA Solar has reported a net profit increase of 35% for 2021.
