UK, India strengthen solar ties with new commitments
The governments of the U.K. and India have announced a new green fund, managed by Lightsource BP and the Everstone Group, which will see up to £500 million invested in green energy in India. The U.K. has also joined the Indian-led International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Swedish scientists develop new method to reduce defects in organic solar cells
The researchers found that printed solar cells achieved a better performance when they used an active polymer material as glue.
Manipur sees 640 kW of completed solar rooftop systems
Freyr Energy has completed 640 kW of solar PV rooftop plants in Manipur, North East India, including a 100 kW off-grid battery powered system, for a total investment of around INR 50 million (around US$769,175).
Shell envisions central role for solar in new report
Shell’s new report shows a world where solar meets the largest portion of primary energy demand as soon as 2050.
German scientists use germanium to improve performance of kesterite solar cells
Although current efficiencies for solar cells based on kesterite do not exceed 12.6%, the use of germanium may enable the development of cells with a higher energy band gap.
TÜV Rheinland exposes inverter, battery hacking vulnerabilities
Testing from TÜV Rheinland has revealed that PV inverters and battery storage systems are vulnerable to hacking. By changing system parameters, a hacker could potentially cause a battery system to corrode, “making it like a ‘bomb’.”
Sterling and Wilson opens US office, launches 50 MW solar project
World’s second-largest EPC, a Mumbai-headquartered company will base their U.S. operations in Arizona. It launches with a 50 MW portfolio as EPC and/or co-development service provider.
IHS Markit White Paper identifies eight global solar and energy storage market trends to watch
Annual solar installations grew almost 20% year over year in 2017, and the solar industry is also edging within 100 gigawatts, a milestone the industry will reach this year, according to IHS Markit, a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.
Giant solar project at area of Chernobyl’s nuclear disaster is doable, Engie’s study says
The feasibility study was conducted by France’s Tractebel Engineering SA. The authors of the report concluded that the 1.2 GW solar park is feasible, despite the current radioactive contamination levels in the area.
The sun shines brighter if the risks don’t cloud it
Finance in developing countries: Economics teaches that capital flows from where it is in surplus to where it is in demand. But that is not the case with renewable energy. The biggest pots of institutional capital in advanced economies are not shifting to developing ones. It is time to take a hard look and develop solutions that resolve this anomaly.
