Tongwei to open new 30 GW cell fab in Sichuan
Construction of the $2.87 billion factory is scheduled to start in March and manufacturing activity should be launched in 2021.
Russian scientists unveil new manufacturing process for III-V solar cells
Researchers have integrated A3B5 semiconductors on a silicon substrate in a prototype solar cell and claim the technique could enable the production of III-V solar cells with conversion efficiencies of around 40%.
Construction begins on 27 MW Netherlands floating solar plant
German renewables company Baywa r.e. has started work on its fourth utility scale floating PV project in the water-rich country.
Total announces 2 GW solar project portfolio in Spain
The French oil company will enter the booming Spanish market through subsidiary Total Solar International thanks to agreements with Powertis and Solarbay Renewable Energy to develop 2 GW of generation capacity.
Flixbus fleet tests 18% CIGS panels
After announcing plans to test hydrogen fuel cell buses in November, the European coach travel route planning start-up has begun a pilot project to reduce diesel consumption by using solar panels on the vehicles of its partner companies. FlixBus says the ultra-thin, lightweight CIGS modules help save 1.7 litres of diesel per 100km.
Israel’s 300 MW solar-plus-storage tender reportedly at risk
Financial newspaper Globes has reported the tender, launched only three weeks ago, is being opposed by the country’s Land Authority, which claims the project could interfere with sand-mining near Dimona.
Greening greenhouses with organic PV
Semi-transparent organic solar cells can reduce the carbon footprint and raise the crop yield of greenhouses while acting as generators and insulation. Scientists in the U.S. say greenhouses equipped with organic cells could be energy self-sufficient year round in hot and moderate-humidity climates.
Next2Sun Mounting Systems begins crowdfunding
The German start-up provides mounting structures for bifacial solar modules as well as PV systems which can be installed as a fence to enclose pastures. Next2Sun Mounting Systems is offering 5% annual interest over five years.
Parent company of Algerian module maker Condor reported to have filed for insolvency
The electronics manufacturer has a 130 MW capacity module production facility.
New impetus for Ghana’s solar ambitions
The government has announced 17 MW of utility scale solar is under construction and the Ministry of Energy is seeking consultants to help promote mini-grids and solar net metering.
