Fraunhofer ISE reclaims multicrystalline PV cell efficiency record with 21.9%
German solar research institute Fraunhofer ISE has reclaimed the multicrystalline PV cell efficiency record, achieving 21.9%. Fraunhofer researchers deployed n-type high-performance multicrystalline technology to produce the record-setting PV cell.
Better Energy completes 23.6 MW of projects in Germany
Danish solar developers Better Energy today announced the addition of four sites with total capacity of 23.6 MW to its portfolio in Germany.
Australia: 320 MW of solar farms commence construction in Victoria
Three PV power plants worth a combined 320 MW have begun construction in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. A joint venture between Overland Sun Farming and the UK’s Island Green Power is behind the AU$500 million (US$384 million) development, which is going ahead despite the projects not having yet signed PPAs.
The pv magazine weekly digest
Solar stats from around the world have been rolling into the pv magazine office this week, as analysts continue to predict big things for solar in 2017. Amid these expectations the industry continues to innovate and grow as a major part of the world’s energy supply.
SunPower & First Solar to supply projects in France
SunPower has announced that it will supply 64.4 MW of its high efficiency E-Series solar panels to seven PV power plants in France. Meanwhile, First Solar has announced that it will supply 106.5 MW of its thin film modules to power 14 power plants under the third round of procurement initiated by France’s Energy Regulatory Commission.
German Police detain PV module thieves
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of theft, after an extensive investigation by German and Polish Police forces. The men are said to have broken into solar parks in several German states in order to steal modules and inverters.
UK local authorities cite lack of Government support as main barrier to solar
A Freedom of Information request made by Korean giant LG Electronics has revealed that 47% of local authorities in the UK see the lack of Government incentives as a barrier to solar investment.
The U.S. solar market nearly doubled in 2016 to 14.6 GW
The latest figures from GTM Research and SEIA show that for the first time, solar was the largest source of new generation by capacity.
Sparx’s clean-energy investments hit $1.2 billion in Japan
Solar accounts for nearly 92% of its 307 MW renewables portfolio, with total investment reaching ¥137.3 billion ($1.2 billion) by the end of January 2017.
the pv magazine weekly digest
It’s been another typically busy week for solar in 2017. Predictions for the storage market are ballooning, while PV prices are shrinking, policy’s shifting, and ever more players are jumping into the fold.
