Europe

European solar research organization Solliance and the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands (ECN) have announced the achievement of 26.3% efficiency on a transparent perovskite solar cell combined with a crystalline silicon solar cell.

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 ISA founding ceremony, held on Sunday March 11 in New Delhi, India, was a highlight in the 2018 solar calendar. French President, Emmanuel Macron announced €700 million in support through loans and donations by 2022, while several other financial deals and MoUs were also signed. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi further outlined 10 action points to help the spread of solar energy.

Vikram Solar and CEA will look to enhance research and development on high-efficiency crystalline silicon cells, modules and systems. A host of high-efficiency generation and storage technologies for French and Indian markets are also in the planning.

International Solar Alliance (ISA), now registered under the United Nations, is organizing its first summit to be held this Sunday March 11. It is also set to host a founding ceremony of ISA in the presence of French President, Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi President, Abdul Hamid. Government dignitaries of member countries are joining, and 51 solar projects will be signed, by announcing the concrete instrument to facilitate the project execution.

Global law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright has advised GuarantCo, the international development finance institution, on a landmark INR 2.5 billion ($40 million) dual-tranche unsecured wrapped and rated bond, issued by Sindicatum Renewable Energy Company Pvt Ltd. Such green bonds are beneficial to the country, since they offer low interest rates and long-term repayment schemes, says Dharmendra kumar, an analyst from IHS Markit.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) today said it will ink an agreement tomorrow, Saturday, March 10, to provide a loan for both small- and large-scale clean energy projects in India, which will form part of its €800 million (around US$984 million) investment in the country.

According to reports, French President Emmanuel Macron will inaugurate the 75 MW solar PV power plant, located in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh on March 12. The plant is developed by the French company, Engie Solar.

50 projects will be signed on March 11, 2018 during ISA Solar Summit, and 71 will be signed on April 20, 2018 at RE-Invest summit. Now, with five new countries, Madagascar, Gabon, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Uganda, the number of nations to have ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement has reached 26.

Investors throughout the world made 406 investments in large-scale renewables in 2017, collectively valued at roughly €40.1 billion (US$49.5 billion), but solar is set to grow more in terms of capacity than any other clean-energy technology over the next half-decade, according to a new report. Battery storage will play a crucial role in this, it found.