Including flood, erosion hazards in solar project site selection
New research from Turkey shows the need for a more rigorous approach to PV site selection due to increasing hydrological extremes. The scientists claim that fixed-distance buffer zones are not sufficient to protect solar farms from flood and erosion hazards.
Vena launches plan to support solar, storage ‘megaproject’ in Indonesia
Singapore-based developer Vena Energy says it will investigate opportunities to make solar panel components and battery energy storage systems in Indonesia, in order to support a hybrid megaproject with up to 2 GW of solar and more than 8 GWh of energy storage.
France aims for 48.1 GW of solar by 2030, 140 GW by 2050
The French government says it plans to install 48.1 GW of solar by 2030 and 140 GW by 2050. About 45 GW of the mid-century total will be generated via installations on wasteland, while 35 GW will come from rooftop installations.
Preheating hydrogen with heat pumps may reduce cost of green H2 for heating by 10%
UK researchers suggested utilizing heat pumps to preheat hydrogen to very high temperatures, which they said could reduce the need for hydrogen by more than 20%. The process is also claimed to have the potential to reduce the European industry’s energy demand by approximately 200 TWh per year.
Australia’s latest tender for generation, storage largely oversubscribed
Investors have submitted bids for 3.1 GW of wind and solar projects, along with 1.6 GW of long-duration storage projects, in response to the New South Wales government’s latest tender for renewable energy generation and storage capacity.
Enel develops robot for waterless cleaning of PV plants
Enel says it will work with Italian startup Reiwa to develop a robot for waterless cleaning of PV plants. The innovative device features brushes and can autonomously navigate across panel rows, eliminating the need for human intervention.
China module prices hold steady
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.
Australian startup builds production line for thermal energy storage blocks
Australia-based MGA Thermal has secured AUD 8.25 million ($5.39 million) from domestic and international investors as it gears up for commercial-scale production of its thermal long-duration energy storage solution.
Solar, storage, and V2G at the core of Israel’s future energy system
New research has shown that Israel has the technical potential to deploy 172.5 GW of photovoltaics, of which 132.1 GW would be from conventional installations and 40 GW from agrivoltaics. If deployed, this full potential would require energy storage with a capacity of at least 500 GWh and strong development of vehicle-to-grid technologies.
WoodMac predicts 270 GW of new global PV capacity in 2023
Wood Mackenzie expects 270 GW of new global PV capacity in 2023, up 33% year on year. However, the annual growth rate is anticipated to fall to 1% in 2024 and to increase again by 5% in 2025.
