Norway increases support for residential PV
Norway’s clean energy agency Enova will increase the maximum PV system size eligible for rebates from 15 to 20 kW and the maximum subsidy amount from 1,250 to 2,000 NOK ($226.7) per kW installed. In addition, new subsidies of up to 10,000 NOK will be introduced for energy management systems that are often installed alongside solar arrays.
Portugal installed 701 MW of solar in 2021
The country’s cumulative PV capacity reached 1.77 GW at the end of December.
Natural hydrogen exploration ‘boom’ snaps up one third of South Australia
South Australia has found itself at the heart of a 21st-century gold rush, though this time for naturally occurring hydrogen. Since February 2021, 18 exploration licenses have been granted or applied for in the state by six different companies searching for natural hydrogen.
Vistra to expand what was already the world’s largest energy storage facility
Vistra plans a third expansion of the Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility in California.
Zinc-bromide batteries to store solar power at Acciona’s testing field in Spain
Gelion’s Endure battery will undergo commercial tests at the 1.2 MW Montes del Cierzo testing field that the Spanish renewable energy company operates in Navarra.
The Hydrogen Stream: Novel fuel cell tech based on liquid-organic hydrogen carrier
Germany’s Schaeffler is developing a hydrogen fuel cell that runs on a liquid organic hydrogen carrier, and Australia’s H2X Global has formed a joint venture with Indian automotive components manufacturer Advik Hi-Tech to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells, generators and vehicles.
Storing excess energy in underground salt caverns in Kansas
Extensive salt beds lie under the surface in Kansas and the state’s Geological Survey is planning to use them to help address the challenge of intermittent production from solar and other renewable sources.
BloombergNEF says global solar will cross 200 GW mark for first time this year, expects lower panel prices
The analyst also forecasts strong growth for the storage business and a significant increase in PPAs for photovoltaic projects in Europe. It also said the newly installed PV capacity for 2021 reached 183 GW.
Cobalt-free, solid-state, lithium-ion battery plant opens in Silicon Valley
U.S-based solid-state battery start-up Sparks has opened a pilot plant for its patented lithium battery technology based on zero cobalt cathodes. The company wants to challenge China’s dominance in next-gen battery development.
Philippines launches 2 GW renewables auction
The Philippines’ Department of Energy hopes to allocate 1,260 MW of solar through the procurement exercise.
