Solar secures just 5 MW in Italy’s first 500 MW renewables auction
Only one 5 MW solar project was selected in the 500 MW auction, while wind project developers secured the remaining 495 MW. Final price for the selected solar park was €60/MWh.
A new manufacturing process for cheaper CdTe panels
US researchers have unvelied a new manufacturing process to produce cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV panels, which they claim is 45% cheaper than current industry standards. The technique relies on the use of a high-pressure Bridgman furnace, which is a kind of industrial furnace utilized for crystal growth and directional solidification of polycrystalline ingots.
Wacker reports strong operating loss for 2019 due to polysilicon business
The German polysilicon manufacturer said results for the past financial year are in line with its expectations. However, falling sales and earnings were also reported. The company blamed low prices for polysilicon for last year’s performance.
Switzerland increases net metering tariff for rooftop PV
Swiss renewable energy association VESE has reported an average 4% increase for owners of PV systems not exceeding 10 kW in size. However, the remuneration continues to vary widely between the 30 largest network operators in the country.
Ingeteam unveils new residential hybrid inverter
The manufacturer said its new hybrid device includes a maximum power point tracking system, which makes it ideal for east/west oriented rooftop PV systems. The inverter is available with power outputs of 3 kW and 6 kW and is compatible with most lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries that are made by leading storage specialists.
A new technique to get the right angular-tilt
UK scientists are proposing a new approach to calculating the optimum angular-tilt of PV panels for a planar surface at a particular site. In their view, the new technique may unlock innovative yield optimization methods for the installation of PV systems.
Raising the efficiency of polycrystalline cells with new luminescent EVA film
Chinese researchers have developed a pure EVA film, which they claim can enhance the conversion efficiency of conventional crystalline solar cells by around 0.50%. The film is able to convert UV light into strong visible light.
Japan’s fifth solar auction delivers final lowest price of $0.10/kWh
Only 39.8 MW of PV projects were allocated in the fifth round of Japan’s procurement program for large-scale solar. The lowest price offered was ¥10.99/kWh ($0.10) and the highest ¥13.0, for an average price of ¥12.57.
Spain reaches 8.7 GW of cumulative solar
The country saw the addition of 3.975 GW of new solar installations last year. Most of this capacity comes from solar projects selected by the Spanish government in the renewable energy auction held in July 2017.
Vietnam confirms 20-year FIT for rooftop PV will be maintained at $0.0935/kWh
The generous tariff is considered crucial by the Vietnamese government to maintain high levels of development in the rooftop segment until 2021.
