Wacker’s results affected by low polysilicon prices
The Munich company hopes the PV market will pick up in the second half, driven by demand in China. Wacker Chemie also expects rising prices for polysilicon.
Harnessing heat for 80% theoretical efficiency
Scientists at Rice University in Texas have developed a device which converts heat into light by squeezing it into a smaller bandgap. The ‘hyperbolic thermal emitter’ could be combined with a PV system to convert energy otherwise wasted as heat – a development the researchers say could drastically increase efficiency.
Solar sails into orbit on crowdfunded satellite
A satellite launched from Florida last month has successfully unfurled its ‘solar sail’ in an early test of a new type of sunlight powered propulsion. The Planetary Society aims to demonstrate the technology as a viable way to propel small satellites, greatly lowering the cost of space exploration.
Ukraine makes a bid for PV growth
The final segment in pv magazine’s look at unsung solar markets heads to Ukraine, where a generous feed in tariff and developments in the corporate PPA segment looks likely to push installations past the 1 GW mark for 2019.
Tesla results: solar down, batteries up
Elon Musk’s EV and energy company is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the rooftop solar market, but battery sales are booming.
Benin launches 50 MW solar tender
Bidding for pre-qualification to the tender is open to developers until August 19. The projects are being developed in the frame of the Millennium Challenge Account-Bénin II (MCA-Benin II) program.
More big PV Down Under, as South Australia’s wind and solar pipeline swells to 10 GW
With the approval for a 176 MW solar farm and 66 MW battery storage facility near Murray Bridge, South Australia’s utility-scale wind and solar pipeline has reached some 10 GW.
Avaada Energy to set up 2 GW of solar plants in India
Currently, the independent power producer has a portfolio of over 500 MW under India’s open access solar policy, with leading IT and manufacturing giants among its client base.
New-look auctions fire up Brazil
Next up in pv magazine‘s unsung solar markets series is Brazil, where a new series of auctions for solar has provided much needed clarity to the sector, at least up until 2021.
Myanmar issues tender for rooftop PV
The nation is targeting an unspecified capacity of solar PV systems to be installed on households and public facilities across several of its regions. The successful projects will be jointly financed by the World Bank and the government of Myanmar.
