Lithium-ion battery prices could rise as cost of cobalt shoots up, warn analysts
Price of cobalt, a raw material used in lithium-ion batteries, rose 26% in the first quarter of the year, following 114% annual increase in 2017, finds EnergyTrend. Suppliers may look at ways to lower cobalt content in new iterations, experts say.
NREL develops open source tool to monitor PV plant performance & degradation
The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a new software package, developed alongside SunPower and kWh Analytics, which it says will improve the accuracy and reliability of PV plant performance data, and improve the industry’s understanding of degradation.
Jinko secures financing for 100 MW project in Mexico
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP has advised lenders in relation to two independent renewable energy projects in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, respectively. These projects are in addition to the recent renewable energy loans that were closed in Argentina, Chile and El Salvador.
Wind has no chance against PV in Germany’s mixed wind-solar auction
32 to 0 for solar PV – that’s the result of the first technology-neutral tender. The average final price of €0.0467 per kWh was slightly above the solar-only-tender held in February.
Portugal: Renewables are driving down electricity prices
In March alone, renewable energies covered 103.6% of the country’s total power consumption, a performance which was mainly driven by wind and hydropower. As a result, the average power price on the daily spot market dropped year-on-year, from €43.94/MWh to €39.75/MWh.
Global investments in small-scale solar rise 16% in Q1, one of few sectors to buck downward trend, finds BNEF
New quarterly figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) show that investments in solar PV arrays of less than 1 MW hit US$14.3 billion worldwide in Q1 against 10% year-on-year contraction in global renewable investments.
Researchers in Finland develop improved aging test for perovskites
Scientists led by Aalto University in Finland have developed new ways to test perovskite and dye sensitized solar cells for aging, using fast, low threshold photography.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners raises €3.5 billion for renewables
The Danish investment firm will use the funds to finance wind, solar, biomass and geothermal projects across several markets. The final close of the fund exceeded its end goal by €500 million.
GCL-Poly creates JV to build new 20 GW mono ingot fab in China
The Chinese solar energy firm announces details of joint venture with the Qujing Municipal Government in China to build a 20 GW monocrystalline ingot facility in Qujing.
SolarWorld keeps shipping modules
Production is ongoing, despite the solar PV manufacturer’s recently announced insolvency proceedings. Starting this week, solar modules will be delivered to customers in France, Kuwait, Japan, Sri Lanka and Germany. SolarWorld is also seeking new investors.
