New report urges Australia to reduce solar supply chain reliance on China
A new report by the United States Studies Centre (USSC), a joint venture of the American Australian Association and University of Sydney, encourages Australia to deeply engage in global solar supply chains and reduce its reliance on China.
Testing rigid connectors in floating photovoltaics
New research from China shows that using rigid connectors instead of polyester ropes in floating photovoltaic arrays may help reduce the relative motion of floats and simplify the layout of the connection system.
Cooling PV modules with lauric acid and nanoparticles
Thai researchers developed three organic phase-change material (PCM) mixtures with nanoparticles to cool PV modules and improve efficiency. They used lauric acid blended with aluminum oxide, copper oxide, and magnesium oxide in an optimal 94:6 weight ratio, boosting module efficiency by up to 14.11%.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell based on wide-bandgap top device achieves 33.10% efficiency
Researchers in China have integrated a wide-bandgap perovskite solar cell with a hybrid back contact device in a four-terminal tandem cell that achieves high efficiency and stability. Key for the strong performance was a new surface passivation strategy that the research group adopted for the top cell.
Husk Power launches ‘minigrid-in-a-box’ solution
Husk Power says Prism, its new containerized “minigrid-in-a-box” solution, allows it to deploy minigrids at a rate of one per day with the same resources.
TotalEnergies, OQ Alternative Energy to build 100 MW of solar in Oman
France’s TotalEnergies and Omani energy company OQ Alternative Energy have signed agreements to develop 100 MW of solar and two 100 MW wind projects. Construction will begin in early 2025.
Norwegian platform invests $50 million in Egyptian renewables
Empower New Energy, a Norwegian solar investment platform, has signed a $50 million agreement with Egyptian independent power producer Engazaat to fund a renewable energy project portfolio in Egypt.
Nord/LB to invest €73 million in 100 MW Polish solar farm
Renewables developer OX2 has secured a €73 million ($76.8 million) financing package from bank Nord/LB for a 100 MW solar farm currently under development in southwestern Poland.
US grants $305 million loan guarantee for California VPP with ice storage
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has granted a $305 million loan guarantee to finance Project IceBrick, a virtual power plant (VPP) that will deploy up to 193 cold thermal energy storage systems across commercial buildings in California.
Malaysia’s OCK Group invests $79.1 million in solar portfolio
OCK Group, a telecom services provider, says that it plans to invest MYR 350 million ($79.1 million) in a 116 MW solar facility.
