ARENA awards AU$29.2 million to 20 solar R&D projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced that it will award multiple Australian universities and research institutes with a total of $29.2 million to support early-stage research into new solar innovations.
Simple, powerful, demonstrable: Meyer Burger on why HJT is poised for the mainstream
Interview: Following the announcement earlier this month that Swiss production equipment supplier Meyer Burger has increased the power output of its HJT SmartWire module to 335W, pv magazine caught up with company CTO, Gunter Erfurt to understand more about the process, as well as the company’s longer-term tech roadmap.
Leading corporations urge EU to back corporate renewable PPAs
Re-Source Platform, which is administered by SolarPower Europe and WindEurope, sees more than 50 multinational corporations including Facebook, Google and Amazon sign letter to European Energy Ministers calling for removal of regulatory barriers on corporate renewable PPAs.
Canadian Solar privatization offer prompts stock surge, possible industry trend
Solar stocks surged yesterday after Canadian Solar announced it had received a “going private” proposal, reports Zacks. Analysts at Guggenheim, meanwhile, say the offer will be given “serious consideration.” They believe other companies may follow suit, if accepted.
South Africa: Calls for 1.5 GW of annual PV, 55,000 new jobs – comment
The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) has called on the country’s government for more PV support. Energy specialist, Chris Ahlfeldt comments on the five point PV plan, which envisages 1.5 GW of new installs annually, and the creation of 55,000 jobs. He also discusses the ongoing issue of the 27 unsigned PPAs, and the bottlenecks in the market.
Schneider Electric to go 100% renewable by 2030
The French energy management and automation company plans to use on-site projects, contracted off-site projects and clean energy credits to meet its new 100% goal.
Japanese scientists use organic ferroelectric to extract more current from solar cells
The new technology uses a quantum-mechanical process, which can extract current from solar cells in a much quicker, less wasteful way, the research team claims.
Brazil: Distributed solar generation reaches 150 MW
Overall, Brazil’s total distributed renewable energy generation has topped 200 MW.
EDF launches 30 GW solar plan
French energy giant, EDF has announced a 30 GW solar energy plan that is expected to be developed exclusively in France.
Egypt issues tender for 600 MW of solar
The tender is the first to be issued under the new auction mechanism, which has replaced the FIT scheme for large-scale solar.
