All solar cell efficiencies at a glance
The research group led by Professor Martin Green has published Version 58 of the Solar cell efficiency tables. He spoke with pv magazine about the criteria with which these tables are compiled and the importance of result certification by independent third parties.
IEEFA warns the financial risk for new coal under-estimated
A new IEEFA report says the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for coal in India is calculated based on an overestimation of factors such as utilization rates. The deemed low cost per unit of energy makes coal-fired plants look more attractive to potential investors than these really are!
Transparent solar panels for agrivoltaics
Romande Energie and Swiss research institute Agroscope are testing startup Insolight’s transparent PV panels in an agrivoltaic project. The modules are replacing the plastic covers used to grow strawberries and raspberries.
Where the ALMM listing requirement went wrong for India’s solar mission
The idea behind introducing the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) was to have a quality benchmark for solar modules. However, in its current form, it is more of a non-tariff barrier for foreign manufacturers and limits solar developers in terms of the choice of module wattage and make.
NTPC tenders 500 MW of solar EPC work
August 10 is the deadline to submit bids for setting up the grid-connected solar projects anywhere in India. The projects are tendered under the Open category, allowing the use of only India-made cells and modules.
Trina Solar achieves 23.03% efficiency for 210 mm PERC solar module
The result was confirmed by Germany’s TÜV Rheinland and TÜV Nord.
The long read: Your solar+storage business plan
With many developers now working on solar+storage projects, it’s time to look more closely at specific business plans. Siobhán Green, lead on battery storage in continental Europe for Everoze, looks at three key questions.
MUFG closes US$ 163 million finance for Azure Power’s 300 MW solar project
The latest transaction follows MUFG’s commitment to the debt funding facility for Adani Green’s under-construction hybrid portfolio of solar and wind projects in Rajasthan.
Using the oceans’ depths to store renewables, compress hydrogen
Underwater gravity energy storage has been proposed as an ideal solution for weekly energy storage, by an international group of scientists. The novel technology is considered an alternative to pumped-hydro storage for coasts and islands without mountains that are located close to deep waters, and may also be interesting for PV if used to store green hydrogen.
Tata Power to exit coal by 2050
The energy company says it will use hybrid-technology projects, round-the-clock renewables, battery storage, floating solar and green hydrogen as it attempts to wind down the 69% of its energy generation fleet based on thermal power.
