Marie Beyer
France’s CEA developing tech to recover silicon, silver from end-of-life PV panels
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has developed a recycling process for end-of-life PV modules, recovering silicon and silver, using supercritical CO2. Virginie Basini, head of CEA’s sustainable technologies department, discussed the technique with pv magazine France.
Nigerian manufacturer commissions 100 MW solar panel factory
Auxano Solar has commissioned a 100 MW solar panel assembly factory in Lagos, Nigeria. It launched the project in 2016.
France expands limits of ‘energy communities’
The French government has issued a long-awaited decree to expand the maximum permitted distance between members of energy communities from 2 km to 20 km.
Akuo to deploy 200 MWh of battery storage in New Caledonia
Akuo plans to deploy 200 MWh of battery storage in New Caledonia, supplying 50 MW for three hours per day over 12 years. The facility will primarily support the operation of nickel mines.
New research shows renewables are more profitable than nuclear power
In a recent study, researchers from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) questioned the planned development of new nuclear capacities in the energy strategies of the United States and certain European countries.
France launches tender for industrial heat pumps, solar thermal systems
The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) has launched a tender for large-solar thermal installations and heat pumps for the production of hot water. Developers can submit their proposals until Oct. 15.
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.
France unveils new FIT rates for PV systems up to 500 kW
France’s new feed-in tariffs (FITs) for the second quarter range from €0.2395 ($0.2653)/kWh for installations below 3 kW in size to €0.1268/kWh for arrays ranging in capacity from 100 kW to 500 kW.
Niger commissions 30 MW solar plant
A French consortium featuring Akuo and Sagecom has built a 30 MW solar plant in Niger. The European Union, the French Development Bank and the government of Niger co-financed the installation.
Thermal-photovoltaic tech for agricultural dryers
France-based Base Innovation has developed an agricultural dryer that is powered by hybrid thermal-photovoltaic (PVT) solar panels.
