Australian research improves scope, efficiency of PV light sensitizers
Australian scientists have developed an algorithm to increase both the efficiency and compatibility of light sensitizers in solar panels.
US to extend Investment Tax Credit for solar to 2024
The solar Investment Tax Credit will remain at 26% for projects that begin construction in 2021 and 2022, but will fall to 22% in 2023, and down to 10% in 2024 for commercial projects.
Structural factors driving down PV prices in India
An analysis by India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) says improvements in PV panel designs and costs, lower financing costs and state-specific sectors, such as the location’s solar potential and certain waivers, have driven the decline in Indian solar tariffs.
Germany’s tender for utility-scale PV concludes with lowest price of €0.0488/kWh
The German authorities allocated around 257 MW in the latest round of the tendering scheme for PV projects exceeding 750 kW in size.
BIPV windows viable only if they add soft value to buildings
Solar windows are only likely to reach commercial maturity when manufacturers consider how they can add “soft” value to buildings, as required by the construction industry. In order to increase this value, increasing their conversion efficiency will become less important, while understanding how to blend them into the existing value chain in the real estate business will be crucial.
Vanadium redox flow battery integrating CIGS modules
Spanish and Finnish scientists have developed a solar vanadium redox flow battery paired with commercially available CIGS solar panels. The open-circuit voltage values were high enough to achieve unbiased photocharge, they said.
Sweden continues rooftop PV rebate scheme for businesses, municipalities
Sweden was set to replace its rebate scheme with unspecified tax breaks by the end of this year, but the government has instead decided to allocate another $31.5 million for 2021 – for enterprises and municipalities only.
Renewables driving down Australian energy bills
The Australian Energy Market Commission’s latest annual Residential Electricity Price Trends report shows costs are falling as renewables build-out replaces inefficient coal-fired generation.
Spanish energy providers want to couple 400 MW of PV with 60 MW electrolyzer
Enagas and Naturgy are planning to build Spain’s largest green hydrogen plant. The facility will be located at a thermal power plant that Naturgy shuttered last year.
Optimal sizing for solar water pumps
Researchers in Malaysia have proposed a new approach for optimal sizing of solar water pumps. Their method consists of using a single PV module, a charge controller, several batteries, and a DC load.
