ARENA backs deX project to deliver open-source digital marketplace coupling distributed solar-plus-storage and grid services
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $450,000 (US$346,000) towards the Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX) project, which aims to produce an open-source software platform on which grid services can be provided and monetized by distributed battery storage. A combination of Australian utilities, research bodies, and startups are collaborating on the $930,200 ($715,000) deX project.
Hevel Solar completing pre-commissioning of 160 MW heterojunction fab, achieves 21.75% cell efficiency
Russia’s Hevel Solar has achieved 21.75% cell efficiency after upgrading to heterojunction (HJT) technology. Hevel says that its fab will have a capacity of 160 MW when completed.
Florida Power & Light races to a solar future
After being part of a coalition that tried to slow third-party solar growth in the Sunshine State as recently as October, the state’s biggest utility announced plans to add eight new solar power plants by early next year.
UK urged to adopt flexible electricity system to support renewables, finds new UKERC report
The U.K. Energy Research Centre has called on the British government to invest in greater grid flexibility if it is to make renewable energy sources cost-effective. Solar Trade Association calls the report “timely”.
Centrotherm books €80 million in cell equipment orders in three months
German PV equipment supplier centrotherm booked a €45 million (US$48 million) monocrystalline solar cell equipment order today, bringing its total bookings for the last three months to €80 million ($85 million).
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.
