How Covid-19 is affecting the French solar sector
Franc Raffalli, president of the Photovoltaic Professions Group of the French Building Federation spoke to pv magazine about the impact of the coronavirus on the French PV industry.
Energy communities are now allowed in France
A footnote in France’s energy legislation had been holding back the development of collective self-consumption in the country, limiting such projects to ‘experimental’ status with terms of no more than five years. The removal of this footnote at the beginning of March means that energy communities for self-consumption are now permitted across the country.
Floating PV learning from aquaculture industry
The CEO of Norwegian floating solar company Ocean Sun has spoken to pv magazine about his company’s innovative design for floating PV projects in near-shore locations and semi-sheltered waters. A pilot project built in the Philippines last year, said Børge Bjørneklett, is providing better-than-expected power output.
Italian PPA-linked solar portfolio sold
Chinese-Canadian module manufacturer Canadian Solar and Italy’s Manni Energy have sold five PV plants with a total generation capacity of 17 MW to Dutch independent power producer Sonnedix. The Sicilian projects are among Italy’s first operational unsubsidized PV facilities.
Solar project to more than double Guinea-Bissau generation capacity
Chinese business Sinohydro has secured the contract for a 20 MW solar plant in Gardete, near the city of Bissau. The tender for the project was launched a year ago.
Australian government stimulates PV in the face of Covid-19 threat
The federal government’s ‘economic response to the coronavirus’ legislation encompasses the installation of commercial and industrial solar.
Saudi Arabia reveals prequalified bidders for 1.2 GW PV tender
The Renewable Energy Project Development Office has prequalified 49 developers for the tender. Four large-scale solar projects will be built via the procurement exercise.
Indian company launches 700 MW solar tender
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. has opened bids to develop 700 MW of solar capacity in India.
More efficient underwater PV cells with wide-band gap semiconductors
U.S. researchers have conducted detailed balance calculations to show the ultimate potential of underwater solar cells. According to their findings, the devices could theoretically produce useful power at up to 65% efficiency in clear waters. However, this would only be possible by using wide-band-gap semiconductors, which have not been considered for solar cells used for land-based applications because their band gaps are too large.
Fossil fuel giants bet on offshore PV
Norwegian energy producer Equinor and Italian oil contractor Saipem have joined forces to build floating PV projects for near-coastal applications. The two companies plan to use a technology developed by Moss Maritime, a unit of Saipem.
