IEA PVPS has published its new “Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2024” report, highlighting key insights and trends. Despite record installations, concerns over profitability and manufacturing dynamics persist, underscoring the need for strategic interventions and policy support to navigate towards a resilient and sustainable PV ecosystem.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the government of Uganda recently discussed accelerating the solar mini-grid project to address Uganda’s energy access challenge and advancing the solar water pumping project under the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) Fund. New areas of cooperation, such as establishing a Solar Technology and Application Resource Centre (STAR-C), were also explored.

The collaboration aims to facilitate financing solutions under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme for rooftop solar PV installations up to 3 kW, as well as extend support for installations ranging from 3 to 10 kW under the regular scheme.

Premier Energies has filed draft papers with SEBI for its initial public offering (IPO). The company intends to utilize INR 1,168 crore of the IPO proceeds to fund the setting up of its 4 GW TOPCon solar cell-and-module manufacturing facility and the balance towards general corporate purposes.

Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy has reported consolidated revenue of INR 3,035 crore in FY 2024, 51% up year-on-year. The company’s unexecuted order book surpassed INR 8,000 crore.

GameChange Solar, a US-based tracker supplier, has announced the construction of a 3 GW tracker factory in Saudi Arabia, with plans for potential expansion to 5 GW in the future.

India set new record for monthly renewable energy installation by adding 7.1 GW of renewable energy capacity in March 2024. This monthly RE addition comprised more than 6.2 GW from solar.

The Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) has partnered with India’s WindStream Energy Technologies to deploy hybrid wind-solar RE solutions in remote, off-grid areas of the Philippines.

Gruner Renewable Energy has secured multiple contracts for compressed biogas (CBG) plants with a cumulative production capacity of 88,000 tons per annum.

A new report says that while the national-level transition towards clean electricity is progressing well in India, it is far more uneven at the state level. It highlights the need for states to strengthen regulatory frameworks and develop transition plans.

The green ammonia project to be developed in Paradip, Odisha, will have a green ammonia production capacity of around 100,000 tons per year by 2030. JERA will be the offtaker for the project.

An international research team has placed a neem oil tank on the back of solar modules for cooling purposes. The proposed solution reportedly improves PV panel performance by up to 17.8%.

The researcher team, from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham university in Coimbatore, India, sandwiched macroalgae between a carbon-coated copper electrode and a titanium oxide-coated fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode. The 1 cm2 device exhibited a 1.25 mA photocurrent and 0.5 V photovoltage under UV light.

The electrolyzer market in India to supply green hydrogen for steel, ammonia, and methanol industries will soar from $4 billion in 2030 to $78 billion by 2050 if the nation stays on track to achieve its declared net zero target.

Researchers in the United Kingdom have analyzed lithium-ion battery thermal runaway off-gas and have found that nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries generate larger specific off-gas volumes, while lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are a greater flammability hazard and show greater toxicity, depending on relative state of charge (SOC).

Stefan Wippich, the CEO and co-founder of Germany’s SecondSol platform, recently spoke with pv magazine about the development of the used PV module market. Wippich noted national differences and argued that it will be important to set rules for the trading of secondhand products.

Enphase Energy says that Octopus Energy’s retail customers will be able to integrate solar and battery systems into their energy plans in the UK market, with the introduction of Enphase IQ8 microinverters and the IQ battery 5P platform.

Grew is amongst three MNRE approved manufacturers to win the mandate to manufacture, test, package, forward, supply and transport solar PV modules.

The latest supply chain report from the Hong Kong-based technical compliance and quality assurance company covers the Southeast Asia region, providing information about 50 manufacturing sites.

The Chinese manufacturer said Germany’s TÜV SUD has confirmed the results.

Bids were received for seven times the manufacturing capacity of 10 GWh to be awarded.

Development of an 800 MW/ 9,600 MWh pumped hydro project in the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone in New South Wales, Australia, is now moving forward, as renewables company Acen Australia has started geological works on site.

Greenzo Energy has secured a $6 million order to set up a 2.5 MW green hydrogen project integrated with a solar and water treatment plant in Karnataka. The offtaker is a steel producer.

Indus Towers has signed a memorandum of understanding with NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) to explore joint development of grid-connected renewable energy based power projects including solar, wind, energy storage, etc.

MG Motor India has signed an agreement with Epsilon Group for electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions and battery recycling and second-life expertise.

The demand-supply gap for skilled workers in solar and green hydrogen sectors is a significant challenge for India’s transition towards a sustainable future. However, by prioritizing comprehensive skilling initiatives and fostering strong collaborations between the government, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, the nation can effectively bridge this gap and unlock the full potential of its renewable energy and sustainability ambitions.

With its versatility and potential for decarbonization, hydrogen is scripting a new chapter in the narrative of clean energy.

Overcoming industry challenges requires collective efforts and partnerships that foster innovation and shared growth. This is why digital ecosystems are now becoming the buzz words and a necessity for the manufacturing companies in the renewable energy value chains.

One of the measures to achieve net-zero emissions and sustainability lies in transitioning from conventional energy sources to renewable and green energy alternatives. This article focuses on the transition process for businesses. It delves into the entire life cycle of this transition, encompassing regulatory frameworks, strategies, and the requisite consideration of investments needed to facilitate this shift towards a more sustainable future.

In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.