Netherlands’ DSM develops new sand-resistant solar glass
The Dutch specialty group believes its sand-resistant coating for solar panels will be particularly suitable for desert areas. The new technology is currently being tested at a solar plant in China’s Gobi Desert.
ABB microgrid control system poised for UK university campus deployment
Swiss power electronics firm to install its state-of-the-art microgrid solution at the University of Chester’s new Energy Centre, in what will be the first energy management system of its kind in the U.K.
Spain’s upcoming 3 GW renewable energy auction expected to be held on July 18
Only solar and wind power projects will compete in the auction. Wind, however, will probably have the largest share as the bidding rules remain unchanged.
Norwegian researchers develop new solar panel cleaning robot
The new robot may make manual cleaning of large-scale solar PV plants a thing of the past.
Recom acquires French module maker Sillia
The French manufacturer filed for insolvency in March. The Tribunal of Commerce of Lyon had received two bids for the acquisition of the company.
Africa solar: competitive tenders or negotiated deals?
Given increasing activity in the solar PV sector in Africa, a critical question has emerged: should African states aim for competitive tenders or negotiated deals? This question was among those discussed at the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) that took place last week in Copenhagen, Denmark.
NextEnergy Solar Fund heralds arrival of subsidy-free UK solar
Amid falling costs across the industry, Guernsey-based investment company NextEnergy Solar Fund is planning to develop four solar plants totaling 59.8 MW without the U.K. government’s financial backing.
Russia allocates 520 MW of PV capacity in 2017 renewable energy auction
The auction was open to solar, wind and hydropower. Projects selected in the tender must be commissioned between 2018 and 2022.
German cabinet issues decree for cross-border wind/solar auctions
Around 300 MW of PV and wind power plants will be selected in the future cross-border auctions, in which German developers will have to deal with competitors from other EU neighbor countries. In the pilot cross-border solar auction held last year, all selected projects were located in Denmark.
EBRD and CTF provide $ 44.5 million for solar park in Kazakhstan
The 50 MW Burnoye Solar-2 project will require a total investment of approximately $80 million and will be located in the southern region of Zhambyl.
