Author: solarenergy

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) are each investing €100 million ($110.8 million) in small and medium-sized solar and onshore wind projects in South Africa. Together they have now committed €600 million under South Africa’s Embedded Generation Investment Program (EGIP). September 13, 2024 Patrick Jowett Image: Filiz Elaerts/UnsplashThe EIB and the DBSA are each investing €100 million in sustainable energy projects in South Africa’s private sector. The funding follows a €400 million funding round announced at COP27 in 2022 for DBSA’s embedded generation investment programme. The program focuses on small and medium-sized onshore…

The agreement covers 1.5 GW of BESS projects in the United Kingdom. Image: Aura Power. ESB Scotland has signed letters of intent with American Energy Storage Innovations (AESI) in relation to three battery energy storage system (BESS) projects currently under development. At the RE+ clean energy conference in Anaheim, California, it was announced that AESI will supply 1.5 GW of TeraStor BESS units worth the High Nether Faul Farm BESS project and the Gretna and Harker substations. The High Nether Faul Farm project, located in Lanarkshire, Scotland, is the largest planned installation of the three, with plans to host 1GW/2GWh…

Aiko Solar, GoodWe and Ginlong Solis have all reported a decline in net profit for the first half of 2024 due to overcapacity in the sector. September 13, 2024 Vincent Shaw Shenzhen Stock ExchangeImage: Jay Sterling Austin, Wikimedia CommonsAiko Solar says it has recorded a sharp decline in net profit and revenue in the first half of 2024. The company attributes the losses to significant asset impairments. The company reported a 232% increase in sales of p-type PERC and n-type ABC modules, totaling 12.84 GW and 1.62 GW respectively, while significant asset write-downs as a key factor in losses were…

A European research consortium has produced a prototype solid-state battery using a new manufacturing process that reportedly achieves high energy densities and can be implemented on modern lithium-ion battery production lines. September 13, 2024 Marian WilluhnBy pv magazine GermanyEuropean researchers have developed a prototype lithium-metal battery with a solid electrolyte, which offers a 20% higher energy density than current lithium-ion batteries.The ‘SOLiDIFY’ consortium, consisting of 14 European research institutes and partners, developed a pouch cell battery with an energy density of 1,070 Wh/L, compared to 800 Wh/L in standard lithium-ion batteries.The consortium created a pocket cell with an energy density…

Researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology said this pv magazine that hydrogen storage and gravel pipelines could become a reality within ten years in lakes or water reservoirs in Europe, the United States, Japan or China. “The technology needed to implement the proposed system is available, simple and cheap,” they said. September 13, 2024 Sergio MatalucciKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology researchers have suggested using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipelines – filled with gravel, tailings or sand – to store hydrogen in lakes and reservoirs as a competitive long-term storage option where salt caverns are not available.…

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Ying Zhang, founder of Sweden-based Fenec. She says women must accept their physical disadvantage while harnessing our power to choose roles and responsibilities. “For example, every solar project requires investment analysis and project coordination, where our analytical skills and communication skills can contribute significantly to the success of the project,” she said. September 13, 2024 Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu)As I observe the solar energy sector, I see a growing trend of openness and inclusivity. I believe that women not only have an important role to play in this industry,…

GE Vernova has launched its new 6 MVA, 2,000-Vdirect current utility-scale inverter, with a multi-megawatt pilot installation in North America. This initiative aims to further reduce the cost of solar energy and accelerate the transition to renewable energy and decarbonization. The inverter can increase power by 30% within the same footprint, reducing costs and improving the scalability of solar farms. “At GE Vernova, we are driving the next generation of utility-scale solar solutions,” said Ed Torres, Business Leader, GE Vernova Solar & Storage Solutions Business. “Inverters are crucial for increasing solar capacity and ensuring efficient energy conversion. Our latest innovations…

In a new weekly update for pv magazineOPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a brief overview of the major price trends in the global PV industry. September 13, 2024 OPISFOB Chinese marketThe Chinese Module Marker (CMM), the OPIS benchmark rating for TOPCon modules from China, was assessed at $0.093/W Free-On-Board (FOB) China, down $0.002/W week over week due to the hearing buying and selling indications. The majority of tradable indications were heard at $0.090-0.095/W FOB China. There were also TOPCon offers for $0.085-0.088/W from the Top 10 module manufacturers circulating in the market.Market sentiment was bearish. Despite price pressure from…

Affordable Wire Management (AWM) officially announced its Pinyon Hanger at RE+ 2024. The Pinyon cable management solution is tailor-made for north-south trunk bus systems. The Pinyon Hanger’s asymmetrical structure supports the messenger cable directly at the poles, eliminating the need for support brackets. This reduces material and labor, reduces moment loads on piles and minimizes the space required to house a cable management system. Pinyon is also useful in specific terrain conditions and layouts, especially where multiple trackers are installed in long columns from north to south. The hanger can also be used on systems with a fixed tilt. “Pinyon…

The software solution provides asset owners with comprehensive data insights across diversified and complex asset portfolios. Image: Gresham House. Varco Energy, a UK battery asset owner with a pipeline of three long-term storage projects (LDES), has entered into an asset management software agreement with Arenko. The deal builds on an initial trading relationship where the technology provider acted as the route to market provider for two of Varco’s battery energy storage sites (BESS), while also providing alternative other project commercialization services. When they come online, Varco’s assets, with a combined capacity of almost 160MW/377MWh, will be integrated into Arenko’s Nimbus…