Many buildings in Germany unsuitable for rooftop PV, says TÜV Süd
TÜV Süd has discovered that 8% of the rooftops it examined in Germany last year are not suitable for PV deployment.
Mali-Mauritania interconnection project to support solar
The African Development Fund has approved $302.9 million of financing for a 225 kV electricity interconnection project linking Mauritania and Mali. The project is part of the Desert to Power initiative, which facilitates the development of solar plants in the region.
Drones vs. aircrafts for PV plant inspection
Scientists in Italy have investigated the performance of drones and a human-crewed airplanes for carrying out aerial infrared thermography inspections on PV power plants. According to their findings, airplanes may be more cost-effective.
The Hydrogen Stream: IEA says just 7% of planned capacity to go online by 2030
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says in a new report that only 7% of planned renewable-based hydrogen capacity is expected to go online by 2030. The report notes the need for consistent policies to support demand and prevent stranded assets.
PV and prices – the fast uptake of solar in Australia
Australia currently has about 40% renewable electricity, mostly solar and wind. This is not causing wholesale spot prices to change, nor destabilizing the grid. On current policy settings, the country will reach 82% renewable electricity in 2030.
‘Shallow defects’ key to high efficiency of perovskite solar cells, say researchers
Researchers at the Jülich Research Center in Germany have used novel photoluminescence measurements to analyze the recombination of charge carriers in perovskite solar cells. They have found that the loss of charge carriers in perovskite devices works differently from other types of PV cells.
Perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules must ensure degradation rate of 0.4%/year to compete with crystalline silicon
Researchers from Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) investigated the commercial prospects of perovskite-silicon tandem PV technologies and found that, in order to bring them closer to market maturity, their cost should not exceed by 30% that of crystalline silicon counterparts. Their roadmap stresses the importance of reducing perovskite degradation and improving product stability.
Worker injured in fire at South Australian solar farm
The Australian authorities launched an investigation after an inverter burst into flames at the 30 MW Mannum Stage 2 solar farm, which is being developed near the town of Mannum, South Australia. A worker is now being treated in the hospital for burns.
EmPower Solar furloughs 21 US workers following unionization vote
EmPower Solar has furloughed 21 workers, citing a market slowdown, but the furloughed employees claim that the dismissals were retaliation for a recent pro-union vote by 49 staff members.
Weekend Read: Agreeing on green hydrogen
In November 2022, Germany’s Energie Baden Württemberg and steelmaker Salzgitter Group signed one of Europe’s first power purchase agreements (PPAs) for hydrogen production. More have followed and with the European Union introducing rules to govern green hydrogen, an industry is planning for its future.
