Patrick Jowett
Malaysia introduces rebate scheme for residential PV
The Malaysian authorities have introduced a rebate scheme for residential PV, offering new net-metering users rebates of up to MYR 4,000 ($843.60). Applications are open until the end of the year, with allocation to be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sweden reports higher than expected PV growth for 2023
Official figures from Sweden’s energy association says more solar was added than estimates suggested during a record year for PV deployment in 2023, with the country’s cumulative capacity now standing at around 4 GW.
Polar Night Energy secures €7.6 million to scale-up sand battery technology
The Finnish startup says the funding will go towards several key purposes, including growing its sales and R&D teams and advancing capabilities in converting stored heat back to electricity.
Asunim to build 40 MW solar project at wind farm in Turkey
Ankara-based renewable energy developer Asunim will construct the 40 MW solar plant at an existing wind power plant in northwestern Turkey. The solar-wind hybrid is expected to be completed within five months.
Malaysia launches 2 GW solar tender
The Malaysian government has kicked off a 2 GW solar tender featuring four packages of rooftop, ground-mount, and floating solar, with permitted generation capacities ranging from 1 MW to 500 MW.
European Commission, ETIP PV partner on solar research
The European Commission is set to work with the solar sector on a co-programmed European Partnership, designed to enhance research and innovation. SolarPower Europe says the announcement is a “significant step for the industry”.
Germany has urgent need to expand solar module recycling capacities, IEA-PVPS says
Feedback from stakeholders involved in Germany’s end-of-life PV modules treatment chain found more needs to be done around the transparency of PV module waste volume, the take-back and collection process and module recycling, as the country prepares for significantly larger volumes by the end of the decade.
Gambia commissions 23 MW solar plant
The Gambia has inaugurated a 23 MW solar plant with 8 MWh of battery storage as part of the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP), which targets universal electricity access by 2025.
European coalition urges EU to support PV manufacturers
A position paper from Solar Industry Regions Europe (SIRE) says a balance must be struck between protecting the European solar market and reaching the market objectives of the energy transition.
Japanese researchers develop waterproof, flexible organic solar cell with 14.3% efficiency
The organic cell retained 89% of its initial performance after being immersed in water for four hours and survived a washing machine cycle. The researchers plan to develop the technology further, with an end goal of using it for wearable devices.
