The effects of coal dust on solar PV plants
An international research team studied the solar PV impact of emissions from a coal-fired power plant in the Atacama Desert, finding that after five months of exposure, the deposited dust on co-located PV panels reached a maximum of 1.63 mg/cm2 with a 23 % reduction in photocurrent. The accumulation at the co-located plant was 3 times greater than nearby PV sites with similar coastal climate conditions.
Key takeaways from RE+ México 2025
RE+ México 2025 drew more than 8,500 attendees to Expo Guadalajara, with optimism driven by pending energy reforms and a new storage ruling in the country.
The Hydrogen Stream: Chile selects electrolyzer companies for local assembly
Chile’s economic development agency Corfo has selected three companies – two Chinese and one Spanish – to build electrolyzer production facilities in the country. The projects, set to begin operations by mid-2026, will assemble alkaline and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers ranging from 50 kW to 5 MW.
Brazil’s PV capacity hits 55 GW
Brazil has installed 37.4 GW of distributed solar and 17.6 GW of large-scale PV capacity to date.
Panama installs 143.4 MW of new solar in 2024
Panama built 143.4 MW of new solar in 2024, bringing its total installed PV capacity to 695.55 MW by the end of the year.
Dual-component controller for three-phase solar inverters can reduce overshoot to less than 0.33%
An international research team has conceived a dual-component controller for three-phase inverters that can reportedly achieve faster settling times, reduced overshoot and more stable current tracking compared to conventional controllers.
Belize opens 80 MW solar tender
The government of Belize has opened a tender for up to 80 MW of grid-connected solar. Interested developers can apply until April 14.
Panama preparing new renewables auction
Panama plans to launch a renewables auction by late October, with state-run Electric Transmission Co. (ETESA) set to submit tender documents for regulatory approval. The auction aims to secure long-term energy contracts for power distribution companies.
The Hydrogen Stream: BASF starts Germany’s largest PEM electrolyzer
BASF has commissioned a 54 MW PEM electrolyzer at a site in Germany, while Sungrow Hydrogen has secured a major order for alkaline hydrogen production equipment from China Coal Ordos Energy.
Eternit’s brazilian subsidiary abandons PV manufacturing
The Brazilian subsidiary of the Belgian company reports that the board of directors deliberated and approved the “discontinuation of the photovoltaic product line,” a decision prompted by Chinese competition. It launched its last module on the market in September 2024.
