SMA reports 42% increase in turnover, Meyer Burger swings to a loss
German inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology reported solid financial results for the first half of 2020 despite the Covid-19 crisis. Meyer Burger, however, saw sales and profits decline.
Netherlands’ largest power provider wants to connect new solar parks to 75% of their peak capacity
Liander said its new plan may result in savings ranging from €1.4 billion to €1.8 billion. Possible losses for PV power producers are estimated at a maximum of 3% of their electricity production per year. If implemented, this new measure would push PV project developers to rely on underdimensioned inverters.
The PV world 10 years ago – Summer Series Part VII
pv magazine editor Pilar Sánchez Molina takes a look at PV sector news from 10 years ago as part of an ongoing series. These insights bring back memories of an exciting, challenging period, while pointing to where we might be in 2030.
New 1,500 V string inverter from Growatt
The new device is available in four different versions with nominal power ranging from 185 to 253 kW. The inverter has a reported efficiency of 99.0% and a European efficiency between 98.5% and 98.7% depending on the size.
Russia’s first floating PV plant comes online
The facility was built with 140 heterojunction solar panels mounted on pontoon-type floats. The project is located at the site of the 320 MW Nizhne-Bureyskaya hydropower plant, owned and operated by Rushydro in the Russian Far East’s Amur region.
UK water utility launches solar tender
Southern Waters is considering buying electricity from generation facilities on its sites in southern England. After launching a request for information process last year, it is now seeking bids from independent power producers.
Photo-electrochemical cells vs. PV electrolysis
Dutch researchers have analyzed the two most promising solar-assisted technologies to produce green hydrogen, based on the levelized cost of hydrogen. They found that PV-powered hydrogen production offers the lowest costs, at $6.22/kg, with a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency ratio of 10.9%.
New PV cell architecture creates resistively bounded subcells
Solar Inventions, the winners of the first American-Made Solar Prize, plan to commercialize their newest product, which is claimed to reduce silver content and increase module power, while potentially saving manufacturers up to $1 million per year.
Australian gas supplier signs green hydrogen deal with Hyundai
Utility Jemena has agreed to produce hydrogen gas for Hyundai’s Macquarie Park headquarters in greater Sydney from early 2021.
Indian hydropower company seeks EPC bids for 25 MW of floating PV
Bidders have until Aug. 25 to show interest in an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a 25 MW floating solar plant in Khandwa district, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
