Solar Power

The maximum size of eligible projects has been increased from 20 MW to 50 MW. The Hungarian government aims to contract around 390 GWh of generating capacity per year, with 40h GW to be reserved for the Small PVPP category, including installations between 300 kW and 1 MW in size. It will set aside 350 GWh for the Large PVPP group, which includes projects ranging in size from 1 MW to 50 MW.

The 15 to 20-year power purchase agreement is expected to provide around 2% of the electricity consumption of all SNCF passenger trains.

Launched in July 2019, the procurement exercise has seen final bids ranging from TND millimes 125.3922 ($0.0444)/kWh to TND millimes 129.9736/kWh for projects ranging from 1 MW to 10 MW. The tender lot for projects of 1 MW, final bids are between TND millimes 189.500 ($0.0671)/kWh to TND millimes 213.500/kWh

Swedish researchers have proposed the installation of rotating and revolving PV arrays on the cooling towers of thermal power plants. While such projects are ideal in nations with limited land, installation costs are also cheaper than for ground-mounted or rooftop PV plants due to proximity to the grid, the scientists claim.

The Chinese government is planning to phase out FITs and subsidies for all kinds of PV installation by the end of this year, according to the China Photovoltaic Industry Association. The trade body, however, expects strong recovery for domestic solar demand over the next five years, beginning in the second half of 2020.

A German research team has developed a new photovoltaic-electrochemical device for alkaline water electrolysis. The prototype has an initial solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency of approximately 7.7%.

Researchers have proposed a new battery performance standard for Australia and possibly the world. If adopted, the standard could clarify consumer confusion around which energy storage system is right for them.

SolarPower Europe has predicted the volume of new PV capacity added this year will be 4% less than last year’s figure because of the Covid-19 crisis. At the end of 2019, the world had topped 630 GW of solar. For 2020, around 112 GW of new PV capacity is expected, and in 2021, newly installed capacity could be 149.9 GW if governments support renewables in their coronavirus economic recovery plans.

Bidders have until September 16 to pitch for generation capacity which can be installed on vacant land owned by the rail company nationwide.

The Chinese manufacturer has unveiled a hybrid product with a power range of 6.5-13 kW. The device has a maximum efficiency of 98.4%, according to Ginlong, and battery charging/discharging efficiency of 97.5%.