The year in solar, part IV: More storage and hydrogen advances as solar just kept getting cheaper
Battery innovations started to come thick and fast this quarter as the hunt for alternatives to lithium-ion intensified and the latest slew of solar tenders indicated the relentless pressure on solar power generation costs was showing no sign of abating.
Mirova raises €857m in Eurofideme 4 funding round for renewables
The investment manager is now Europe’s largest renewable energy fund. The €1.3 billion group already has a 1.8 GW generation portfolio.
European coal fleet will run at a loss of €6.57bn this year
Economic thinktank Carbon Tracker used financial modeling to determine the profitability of every coal power plant in the EU. On average, 79% of the facilities run at a loss, with Germany, Spain and Czechia among the states particularly exposed to the consequences – for coal investors and the public.
Tesla-based battery project launched in Slovenia
New company NGEN appears to have introduced the Powerpack battery to central Europe in a €15 million, 12.6 MW/22.6 MWh project in the northwest of the country which is the first of two planned utility scale systems due for completion by July.
New aluminum batteries for renewables storage
The devices, developed by a European research team, are said to have twice the energy density of conventional aluminum devices. The scientists used a cathode made of anthraquinone, instead of one based on graphene, increasing energy density.
Slovenian glass factory to use PV for green hydrogen
A rooftop PV system will provide hydrogen through an electrolyzer. The green gas can then be mixed with natural gas to fire the factory’s furnaces.
Slovenia launches tender for large-scale solar, renewables and co-generation
The tender will be open to solar projects not exceeding 10 MW, while its incentive budget will be €10 million.
EU supports integration of renewables between Croatia and Slovenia with €40 million
The smart grid project is expected to boost to the use of renewable energy in the region, and to enable smaller power producers participate in the market.
Slovenia launches solar rebate scheme
The Slovenian government has earmarked €3 million to finance solar rebates in 2017. The funds will cover 20% of the costs for buying and installing a PV system under net metering.
Slovenia’s PV capacity tops 259 MW, net-metering expected to support more growth
The small eastern European country has been adding around 10 MW of new PV systems each year over the past four years. A net-metering scheme introduced in 2015 is expected to increase demand for residential installations.
