The EU plan to drastically ramp renewables to replace Russian gas
The European Commission yesterday announced its intent to remove demand for two-thirds of its Russian gas supply in less than nine months and hugely accelerating the rate of solar deployment is a central part of its radically raised clean energy ambition.
Italy installed 937MW of solar, 431MWh of storage in 2021
The country’s cumulative PV capacity reached 22.56GW at the end of December.
Novel power electronic converter for BIPV
Conceived by researchers in Estonia, the device is claimed to be compatible with both crystalline silicon and thin-film BIPV panels and to manage, easily, different voltage levels. It can be applied either in solar facades or BIPV rooftop arrays.
Longi releases Hi-MO 5 snow-load test results
Longi Solar has released the data of an inhomogeneous snow-load test. Its results show that its 72-cell solar modules held 1,800 pascals more force than a competing large format product using 210 mm cells.
The Hydrogen Stream: Ukraine invasion raises price of gas-powered grey ammonia
With fears over Europe’s gas supply tightening, the Australian government is forging ahead in the green hydrogen sector by launching tech incubator HyGate and awarding Volt Advisory Group cash to develop a renewable energy microgrid. Australian business Fortescue Future Industries and Europe’s Airbus will work on hydrogen-powered aircraft and Kawasaki Heavy Industries is making strides in transporting hydrogen from the state of Victoria.
Submersing modular raft for floating photovoltaics
Developed by a Dutch consortium, the Hide and Shine Floating Solar (HAS FPV) technology is claimed to be extremely resistant to storms and harsh weather conditions. The modules can be submerged totally or partially and, in case of a severe storm, they can be submerged up to two meters below the surface.
Saudi minister appears to signal 15GW, two-year clean energy push
Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, present at the signing of a power supply deal related to the 700MW Ar Rass solar project, said the kingdom is planning a massive renewables drive by the end of next year, according to energy company and Ar Rass developer Acwa Power.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Wafer prices rise as Aiko Solar halts shares offering
Manufacturers Longi and Zhonghuan Semiconductor have both raised the price of their 182mm wafers while holding the cost of their other products as rival Shuangliang Eco-energy signed deals for more wafer production equipment.
Solar parks could help to increase rainfall in arid regions
New modeling suggests that the reduction in albedo caused by large-scale solar plants could double rainfall in the Red Sea coastal plain of Saudi Arabia.
Indian green hydrogen will cost $5/kg
Ratings agency ICRA has estimated Indian green hydrogen will cost that much if produced at sites featuring clean energy generation capacity and electrolyzers. That is between 50 US cents and a dollar per kilogram cheaper than in locations where the two systems are not co-located, with the saving possible due to a reduction in open-access, intra-state grid charges.
