France publishes first-quarter FITs for PV systems up to 500 kW
The feed-in tariff granted will still be reduced each quarter, in line with how much solar capacity was installed in the previous three-month period, but to a lower extent.
Zinc-bromide batteries to store solar power at Acciona’s testing field in Spain
Gelion’s Endure battery will undergo commercial tests at the 1.2 MW Montes del Cierzo testing field that the Spanish renewable energy company operates in Navarra.
The Hydrogen Stream: Novel fuel cell tech based on liquid-organic hydrogen carrier
Germany’s Schaeffler is developing a hydrogen fuel cell that runs on a liquid organic hydrogen carrier, and Australia’s H2X Global has formed a joint venture with Indian automotive components manufacturer Advik Hi-Tech to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells, generators and vehicles.
Storing excess energy in underground salt caverns in Kansas
Extensive salt beds lie under the surface in Kansas and the state’s Geological Survey is planning to use them to help address the challenge of intermittent production from solar and other renewable sources.
BloombergNEF says global solar will cross 200 GW mark for first time this year, expects lower panel prices
The analyst also forecasts strong growth for the storage business and a significant increase in PPAs for photovoltaic projects in Europe. It also said the newly installed PV capacity for 2021 reached 183 GW.
Cobalt-free, solid-state, lithium-ion battery plant opens in Silicon Valley
U.S-based solid-state battery start-up Sparks has opened a pilot plant for its patented lithium battery technology based on zero cobalt cathodes. The company wants to challenge China’s dominance in next-gen battery development.
Philippines launches 2 GW renewables auction
The Philippines’ Department of Energy hopes to allocate 1,260 MW of solar through the procurement exercise.
Perovskite solar cell with record-breaking fill factor of 86.6%
An international group of researchers has achieved the highest fill factor reported for perovskite cells of any size to date. The device was fabricated with a nitrogen-doped titanium oxide (TiOxNy) electron transport layer aimed at improving charge transport between the cell’s perovskite absorber and the electrodes.
Maxeon to offer IBC solar panels in the US
The company announced an expanded commercial and industrial push in the states and a partnership with protection and performance plan provider Omnidian. Maxeon said it will offer its interdigitated back contact (IBC) panels in the US.
Canadian hydropower dam to be coupled with 180 MW of lithium-ion battery storage
TransAlta has planned to start construction on the storage facility in March 2023 and to complete it within nine months. The 180 MW battery facility is designed to be charged by the existing Ghost Hydroelectric facility when demand is lower.
