Indian state inching toward 10 GW of PV for farming
The success of the recent 6.4 GW solar auction in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has brought it closer to achieving its plan to install 10 GW of PV to support farmers.
Modeling the potential of lead-free perovskites
Scientists in India modeled the performance of tin-based perovskite (methylammonium tin triiodide) finding that with careful optimizations the material could achieve efficiencies beyond 28%.
Hungary’s second renewables auction concludes with lowest bid of $0.0549/kWh
The auction has been significantly oversubscribed and has seen 36 successful projects among 257 submitted. Around 390 GWh of power was contracted and will be provided exclusively by PV projects.
Hybrid wind-solar may have a shading problem
Scientists in the Netherlands are seeking to assess how hybrid wind-solar projects may be impacted by the shade produced by the wind tower and wind turbine blades on the PV facility. According to them, the slow movement of the wind unit’s shadow can be easily incorporated into project design.
Indian manufacturer to open 750 MW solar fab by April
Solar manufacturer Premier Energies is setting up a factory in Telangana with an annual cell and module production capacity of 750 MW. The fab will be equipped to produce large-format panels with wafer sizes up to 210mm.
US scientists claim PV system owners subsidize their non-PV neighbors
Researchers at the Michigan Technological University claim to have demonstrated that PV system owners in the United Stated are unjustly subsidizing electric utilities. Their analysis showed that, thanks to rooftop PV, utilities and their non-PV customers can save money from avoided costs for new grid, reserve, and generation capacity, as well as for avoided operation and maintenance and environmental and health liabilities due to fossil fuel power generation.
Enphase closes 2020 with a strong Q4
After a Covid-19-stunted Q2, the company reported improved revenues for a second straight quarter, and closed 2020 with revenues north of $770 million.
Midsummer ships CIGS production line to Russia
The production equipment was bought by Russian nanotechnology specialist Rusnano. The line will be used to produce BIPV modules at a factory in the Republic of Mordovia.
Nice Solar Energy files for insolvency under self-administration
The CIGS thin-film specialist employs 160 people in Germany. Business operations will continue with no disruption for the time being.
Brazil’s PV module demand reached almost 5 GW in 2020
According to a recent report from Brazilian consultancy Greener, the country imported 4.76 GW last year. Domestic PV module makers had a 3.8% market share with around 190 MW in shipped modules. The analyst also revealed that prices for distributed generation PV systems rose by 20% in 2020.
