IRENA: Renewables can help China reduce water use in power sector
By achieving a 26% share of renewable energy in 2030 China would not only cut carbon emissions of power generation by 37%, but also reduce water-intensity by 42%, IRENA reports.
NexWafe raises 6 million euro for its kerfless wafer technology
Switzerland’s Lynwood will invest 6 million (US$6.61 million) in NexWafe’s EpiWafer technology. The funding round will support the Nexwafe’s continuing commercialization of its gas-to-wafer production technology.
Smart energy revolution could help UK save GBP 8bn, finds report
NIC report finds that the U.K. could benefit greatly from adopting a smarter energy policy, which includes higher interconnections, electricity storage and demand flexibility; current government regulations are standing in the way.
LSE: China's carbon emissions likely to peak by 2025
China’s CO2 emissions, if they grow at all, are likely to peak at some point in the decade before 2025, note LSE economists Fergus Green and Nicholas Stern.
SolarPower Europe calls for 35% by 2030 renewable target
Europes leading solar trade body, SolarPower Europe, has called on the European Union to set a renewable energy target of 35% to be achieved by 2030, which may require flexible regulatory frameworks. Echoing the conclusion arrived at by the IEA, the former European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has called for Europe to demonstrate its leadership in solar and renewables with a concrete target.
IASS: Solar and wind can reduce global water scarcity
The German Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) is calling for more water-friendly decisions and more transparency regarding water use in the energy sector.
Panasonic claims world record module efficiency record with 23.8%
Panasonic Corporation has claimed the world record module efficiency title by a full 1%, achieving 23.8% aperture efficiency on an 11.5-square-centimeter research module.
Heraeus Photovoltaics establishes new lab in Japan
The regional product modification center will strengthen the company’s R&D presence in the Asia Pacific region and accelerate innovation for customers, Heraeus said.
NREL researchers push past 1V CdTe cell barrier
A research team lead by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a technique by which cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV cells can be produced with an open-circuit voltage exceeding 1 volt. The team claims the development will allow for further increase CdTe conversion efficiencies and represents a “crucial milestone” in the technology’s evolution.
The pv magazine weekly news digest
Developments in the U.S. continued to make headlines this week as utilities across the country carry out systematic attacks on net metering and a California city weighs a PPA for possibly the lowest solar power price on record.
