EU set to dig into raw materials supply
The European Union has drawn up new regulations to boost the domestic mining of raw materials and support production of renewable energy products and materials at home. Will it be enough to incentivize investment, or will Europe trail other major economies, such as the United States and China?
Amea Power secures financing for 120 MW of solar in South Africa
Amea Power says it has obtained financing for a 120 MW solar plant near Klerksdorp, South Africa. The funds include $100 million in debt from Standard Bank South Africa and $8 million in equity from Industrial Development Corp.
Novel attempt to design solar cell based on chalcogenide perovskite delivers 13.86% efficiency
Scientists in South Africa have proposed a new chalcogenide perovskite solar cell design based on a compound known as barium zirconium sulfide. They tested different hole transport materials in the new device and found that a polymer known as P3HT achieved the best performance.
Scientists claim PV systems combined with thermoelectric cooling may achieve 6-year payback time
Scientists in South Africa have modeled a photovoltaic system connected to a thermoelectric cooling device and have found it may produce around 9.2% more electricity than conventional PV system without cooling. The research team claims the proposed system guarantees a minimum cost saving of 10.56%.
Barriers to residential PV in South Africa
A scoping review examining the barriers to residential PV installations in South Africa says that no studies have considered how income effects the the likelihood of households adopting rooftop solar. The researchers claim this is “a glaring omission given debates on just transitions.”
Large-scale solar, battery storage hybrid starts operations in South Africa
Norwegian PV developer Scatec ASA has switched on a hybrid solar and battery storage facility in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
Eskom launches tender to build 75 MW solar project at coal plant
Utility Eskom is seeking proposals to build a 75 MW solar plant at the Lethabo Power Station in South Africa’s Free State province.
German developer sells 240 MW project in South Africa
PNE AG, a Germany-based developer, has sold a 240 MW photovoltaic project in South Africa’s Free State province to energy company NOA Group.
South African data center specialist to build 12 MW of solar
Africa Data Centres’ new solar farm in South Africa’s Free State will begin as a 12 MW array. It will initially service its Cape Town site, before extending to supply power to the company’s facilities in Johannesburg.
Vehicle-integrated photovoltaic system for medical support
A spinoff of Germany’s Fraunhofer Gesellschaft has developed a compact vehicle-integrated PV system integrated with medical support equipment to provide off-grid, off-road mobile healthcare in rural communities. The PV modules with integrated energy management system supply all the electricity required for maintaining a cold chain for vaccines, medicines and samples.
