Average silver price up 21% in 2024, says Silver Institute
Demand for silver in the PV industry hit 197.6 million ounces in 2024, according to a new report from the Silver Institute. It says the average silver price stood at $28.27 per troy ounce last year, up from $23.35 in 2023.
European electricity prices stabilize as gas, CO2 prices drop
AleaSoft Energy Forecasting’s latest analysis finds electricity prices across the major European markets during the second week of April were largely in line with the week prior, despite gas and CO2 futures reaching their lowest settlement since September and April last year. Meanwhile, France and Italy broke their daily records for solar production.
China identifies major high-purity quartz deposits for PV industry
China has identified two new high-purity quartz deposits as it seeks to localize supply for solar and semiconductor production and reduce dependence on US imports
Dutch utilities to test lower tariffs during solar production peaks
Dutch utilities Eneco and Delta Energie will test lower electricity tariffs for consumers – regardless of PV system ownership – who shift consumption to periods of peak solar generation. The pilot aims to encourage flexible demand during midday hours.
US distributed solar grew 5.4 GW in 2024
A study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) found that five US states increased their distributed solar capacity by more than 30% in 2024, with one state growing by 50% and another doubling its capacity.
Fortescue begins working on 190 MW of solar in Australia
Construction has begun on a 190 MW solar farm at Fortescue’s Cloudbreak mine site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia as the iron ore and green energy giant forges ahead with its decarbonization plans.
South Korea’s 2024 solar additions surpassed 3.1 GW
With last year’s figures yet to include self-consumption installations, the preliminary statistics show an upward trend in installations categorized under power generation for sale. As of March this year, the country’s cumulative solar capacity was estimated at 28.15 GW.
Global corporate solar funding falls 41% to $4.8 billion in Q1 2025
Corporate funding in solar fell considerably in the first three months of this year due to policy reversals, tariff shocks and regulatory uncertainties, says a report from Mercom Capital.
Emmvee expands solar module capacity to 6.6 GW
India’s Emmvee has inaugurated a new solar module plant in India, boosting its total PV module capacity to 6.6 GWp and solar cell capacity to 2.5 GWp. The expansion strengthens its position in the nation’s rapidly scaling solar manufacturing sector.
Fraunhofer ISE developing heterojunction solar cells with silver consumption of less than 2 mg per W
Researchers at the German institute are seeking to reduce silver use in heterojunction PV devices under the umbrella of an extensive research projects. Among their recent achievements there is the fabrication of a heterojunction cell that requires a minimal silver consumption of only 1.4 mg per W.
