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.
Camel death sparks debate over siting solar in deserts
The sharp-edged angles at a solar installation site in Rajasthan injured a camel so severely that it bled to death.
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.
FAME II subsidy scheme extended by two years
The second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) subsidy scheme to promote electric mobility in India will now run until March 31, 2024.
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.
Solar photovoltaic quality control and waste management in India
As PV waste is set to rise rapidly in the coming decades, India needs to invest in efficient recycling technologies and devise a clear-cut policy for the safe disposal of PV waste. Guidelines for stringent quality checks and validation for both imported and locally produced solar panels are also needed to avoid early-loss solar waste.
