Gibraltar introduces net metering
An amendment in the Gibraltar Electricity Authority Act will now make it possible to inject renewable energy power produced by residential customers into the local grid.
EPFL-led research group seeks to stabilize perovskite solar cells with guanidinium
The group of scientists is adopting organic cations, instead of inorganic cations like cesium or rubidium, to stabilize the crystal structures of perovskites with solar applications.
Zambia to launch 100 MW solar tender
The tender will be open to PV projects not exceeding 20 MW in size, and will award long-term PPAs for the sale of power to local utility ZESCO.
Another Brazilian state introduces ICMS exemption for solar
This time, the state of Espíritu Santo has agreed to adopt the fiscal incentive for net-metered solar PV systems up to 1 MW. The measure has been suggested by the Brazilian central government to all the country’s states since September 2015.
Phoenix Solar to file for insolvency in Germany
The construction contractor will start insolvency proceedings at the district court in Munich next week.
No stabilization without flexibilization
A new report from DNV GL stresses the value of flexibility regarding the design of future energy markets. The paper also indicates how to avoid imbalances that could cause the instability of power systems.
Tunisia’s power utility STEG plans another 10 MW solar park
The recently tendered project will be financed by German development bank, KFW and will be located in Tozeur, where STEG is now building its first PV plant.
Belgium: Wallonia could close incentive scheme for residential PV
As the government of Belgium’s French-speaking region has announced the possible closing of the incentive scheme Qualiwatt, claiming that self-consumption is now becoming more profitable, the region’s regulator CWaPE warns that the abrupt cancellation of the incentives may have a negative psychological effect.
Longi claims 82.15% bifaciality record for its PERC solar cell
After announcing a record 22.71% conversion efficiency with its monocrystalline passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar cells in October, the Chinese solar manufacturer now claims it has achieved an 82.15% record bifaciality for the bifacial version of the same cell.
GE slashes 12,000 jobs in response to changing power markets
GE Power has announced 12,000 jobs will go as part of its effort to cut structural costs by US$3.5 billion. Part of the reason for the move is the strong growth of renewables, and a softening of traditional power markets. Storage is said to be a “mega trend”.
