Solar dominates Poland’s latest renewables auctions
Figures from Poland’s Energy Regulatory Authority (URE) show that solar accounted for 198 of the 200 successful bids awarded under the country’s latest renewables auctions. Auctions covering hydroelectric power plants, agricultural biogas plants, and biomass went unresolved due to a lack of valid offers.
New tech to reduce oxygen defects in Czochralski wafers
Research from the Chin-Yi University of Technology in Taiwan revealed a novel heater design in the Czochralski silicon crystal growth process that can control and decrease oxygen concentration without incurring the costs associated with other methods, such as installing magnets or using alternative crucible materials.
Aluminum frames lead solar panel costs amid shifting industry prices
SinoLink Securities says aluminum frames now dominate solar panel costs, as material price shifts reshape the cost structure of the PV industry and drive the need for innovation.
A tumultuous year for solar and batteries
In five key trends, pv magazine looks back over a year that saw PV module prices fall lower than many thought possible, while demand was restrained by grid congestion, among other challenges. Energy storage has had a strong year and geopolitics is seeing solar and battery manufacturing enter new regions as competition drives technical innovation.
Jimmy Carter’s clean energy legacy
The world has lost a forward-thinking clean energy proponent, who 44 years ago recommended a solar strategy to move the United States toward energy security by using abundant, clean energy sources.
The Hydrogen Stream: BNEF forecasts sharper green H2 price drop by 2050
BloombergNEF says green hydrogen will fall from a current range of $3.74/kg to $11.70/kg to between $1.60/kg and $5.09/kg by 2050, while Longi Hydrogen has secured a conditional $6.14 million equity investment and cooperation agreement with HydrogenPro.
South Africa picks bidders for 1.76 GW of solar, battery projects
The South African government has named preferred bidders for 16 renewable energy projects, totaling ZAR 44.2 billion ($2.4 billion) in investments, to drive solar and battery development.
EWEC locks down land for 4.6 GW of solar, wind in Abu Dhabi
Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC) says it has secured four sites in the United Arab Emirates to develop 4.6 GW of solar and wind projects.
Sekisui Chemical invests in 100 MW perovskite solar production line
Japanese plastics manufacturer Sekisui Chemical is investing in a 100 MW production line to make lightweight perovskite solar panels for low load-bearing rooftops, with an operational start in 2027. It will also acquire a production facility from Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp.
Eyes in the sky: Meteosat third generation set to improve solar forecasting
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) satellite is now beginning operational testing. The new satellite will offer sharper and more detailed, frequent imagery, providing a significant boost to solar irradiance estimates.
