Agrivoltaic systems improve farming in arid regions, say Australian researchers
University of Tasmania (UTAS) researchers examined the potential benefits of agrivoltaic systems in three countries and found that they can improve agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions.
Solar advances across MENA region
The fossil fuel rich Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces mounting pressure to diversify its energy mix. While solar is cheap, it faces significant sociopolitical and economic challenges.
Indian solar cells costs more than Chinese imports, says CRISIL
India’s domestically manufactured solar cells cost 1.5 to two times more than Chinese imports, even after customs duties, says CRISIL Market Intelligence and Analytics. These higher prices could raise solar project capital costs by up to INR 10 million ($117,580)/MW and increase tariffs.
Stationary storage installations surge to 170 GWh in 2024
With expanding market opportunities and declining costs, stationary battery energy storage installations are surging. Battery makers are awake to the opportunity, says BloombergNEF, as stationary batteries account for an increasing amount of deployed capacity.
EU solar installations hit 65.5 GW in 2024, says SolarPower Europe
Solar installations grew 4% year on year in the European Union in 2024, down sharply from 53% growth in 2023. The slowdown coincides with a decline in solar investment, marking the first such drop this decade. SolarPower Europe now forecasts annual growth of 3% to 7% in solar installations from 2025 to 2028.
New US solar manufacturer to open 2.5 GW HJT factory
NuVision Solar – a newly formed, US-owned and operated manufacturer – has revealed plans to produce heterojunction (HJT) solar cells and modules.
Germany deploys 1 GW of PV in November
Germany installed 1 GW of solar power in November, bringing its cumulative capacity to 97.55 GW by the end of the month.
European electricity prices increase on winter demand
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting says European electricity prices increased across most major markets last week, leading to weekly averages in excess of €120 ($126.03)/MWh in all markets, bar the Nordics.
BLS plans 1 GW fab to make battery-powered electrolyzers
Battolyser Systems’ (BLS) product is a patented dual-purpose electrolyzer with a battery function.
Transformer explosion at South African coal power leaves nine injured
An explosion at an Eskom coal-fired power plant injured nine employees last week. The utility believes a rupture of a high-pressure steam steel pipe caused the incident and has said the event will not affect the suspension of load shedding.
