A turning point for Algerian solar
Algeria has long limited the use of solar to villages in the Sahara, but two large-scale tenders for 3 GW of generation capacity are expected to change that. By including a local content clause, the North African nation aims to build an industry around renewable energy.
The Hydrogen Stream: TE H2 to secure land for 1 GW Chbika project in Morocco
Morocco and TE H2 have agreed to reserve land for the Chbika hydrogen project in Morocco. They aim to build 1 GW of solar and wind capacity to annually produce 200,000 tons of green ammonia for the European market.
Multiple designs of photovoltaic-thermal collectors
Scientists have modeled eight different kinds of PVT systems, some with a glass covers and some without. They found the worst efficiency was achieved in uncovered systems with parallel round tubes.
Scientists investigate potential of diatomite as a raw material for solar cells
A German-Algerian research team has been investigating ways to produce silicon from diatomite, a fossil material containing amorphous silicon dioxide. The researchers said that, for potential solar cell applications, it will be crucial to extract silion with a low level of impurities.
Algeria’s PV capacity tops 436.8 MW
Solar power is the leading source of renewable electricity in Algeria, with a total capacity of 436.8 MW. About 388.95 MW (82.4%) is grid-connected, and 47.85 MW (10.1%) is off-grid. Recent large-scale tenders aim to push the country’s capacity beyond 4 GW soon.
Optimized antimony trisulfide solar cells may reach 11.68% efficiency
An international research group has analyzed the most important barriers preventing antimony trisulfide solar cells from reaching satifsfying power conversion efficiencies and has suggested a series of optimization parameters that could get them closer to commercial production.
Algeria reveals winners in 3 GW of PV tenders
The Algerian authorities have announced the developers selected for a 1 GW tender launched by the nation’s state-owned utility in late 2021, as well as the winners of a 2 GW tender launched in February 2023. The projects will range in size from 80 MW to 220 MW.
Algeria’s Sonelgaz awards 3 GW of solar projects
Representatives of Algerian state-owned utility Sonelgaz have signed contracts with local and foreign companies for the construction of 20 solar projects from two tenders.
The Hydrogen Stream: US funding 16 geologic hydrogen exploration projects
The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced plans to invest $20 million in 16 projects across eight states to accelerate the exploration of geologic hydrogen.
Researchers apply thresholding to PV soiling image analysis
Thresholding methods have commonly been used to characterize the soiling accumulated on glass coupons. Researchers led by the Sapienza University of Rome have identified 16 automatic thresholding methods that may be used for analyzing soiling on PV panels.
