Understanding perovskite degradation
Scientists in the US took a closer look at the mechanisms causing perovskites to degrade under light and raised temperatures. By testing perovskite cells with various additives and other recipe tweaks, the group was able to identify pathways to improving long-term stability.
Germany deployed 3.5 GW of solar in first nine months of 2020
New additions for September totaled 388 MW. Due to strong development in the first three quarters of the year, FITs for the November-January period will be lowered by 1.8%.
Sudan wants to contract 500 MW of solar power
According to the country’s Ministry of Energy, an unspecified UAE solar company has committed to building several large scale PV plants across the country. These new projects would be granted a 20-year PPA and would be Sudan’s first solar parks.
Statkraft to buy Solarcentury in latest solar-hydropower tie-up
The Norwegian hydropower business wants to pay €131 million for the London-based clean energy developer which claims to have brought to life 1.2 GWp of project capacity in seven countries since 2013.
Enel to combine floating PV, hydropower
The Italian utility is testing several technologies at a floating PV array in Sicily. It wants to select the most promising ones for future large-scale projects in the reservoirs of its hydropower plants throughout the world.
Oil India seeks installers for at least 100 MW of solar
Oil India, a state-run oil producer, has issued a call for bids to build at least 100 MW of solar capacity at any location in India on a turnkey basis.
South Australia awards 10-year PPA to 260 MW of PV, 100 MW battery
Construction of the state’s biggest PV array and its fifth “big battery” will create 810 jobs. The state government forecasts US$8.96 million of energy savings over the course of the decade-long contract.
Unsubsidized PV plant goes online in Portugal
Hyperion Renewables continues to expand its PV plant portfolio and is now working on green hydrogen production and distributed generation projects.
Thermodynamics-inspired model for microgrid feasibility
Researchers in the U.S. have deployed a phase model, inspired by thermodynamics, to total system costs and technology choices of power grids. Doing so allowed the group to make assumptions for when all renewables powered microgrids become the most economically viable option.
Construction begins on 41 MW solar project in Mozambique
French independent power producer Neoen is developing the facility, which will be the Sub-Saharan nation’s largest PV plant upon completion.
