Researchers from Singapore institute find duo represents most LCOE-efficient combination across 93% of the world, with dual-axis trackers still too costly to become mainstream choice.
Footprint of sourcing aluminium, lithium and others will be ‘a fraction’ of fossil fuel emissions but sustainability must become compass, says report as world eyes renewably-powered COVID recovery.
PV Tech speaks to Ma Rui, Huawei’s director of smart PV for the Middle East and Africa, about the incorporation of artificial intelligence in solar PV, the firm’s growth in the MENA region and how competition in the sector can drive research and development.
Solar, wind output rise of 15% helped slash power-related CO2 worldwide last year but green energy growth will be ‘very challenging’ to sustain unless efforts step up, says think tank Ember.
Berlin could help defuse land conflicts if it ‘privileges’ floating plants on opencast mine water bodies via dedicated tenders, says review by Fraunhofer ISE.
EU production line of 5 to 10GW a year is possible and would help deliver the required 117GW-to-630GW capacity push, experts say as separate study touts PV’s job benefits for coal regions.
Switching to full renewables by 2050 in line with climate goals would see global solar create 22 million of a total 35 million new energy sector jobs, with batteries employing 4.5 million.
Claims that net-zero goal and 2.5TW of PV are ‘technically and economically feasible’ by mid-century come as reports suggest Beijing could axe large-scale PV subsidies next year.
Costs have tumbled to such an extent that new-build LCOEs are catching up with marginal costs of non-renewables, says firm in update that finds storage is too becoming more competitive.
Carbon Tracker analysis urges Asian state to ditch coal investments after finding solar will fully outcompete fossil fuel by 2025, followed by wind power in 2027.
PV Tech quizzes HIPERION’s promoters over potential strengths but also cost challenges of Insolight’s planar optical micro-tracking process, tested outdoors and supported with €10.6m EU grant.
Fitch Solutions: Utility-scale growth favoured by competitive bidding will see provinces including Gansu and Xinjiang regain top role they lost to coastal areas in 2016-2018 period.
C&I systems can already hit grid parity without need for government money across all major urban centres but profitability is mixed on a region-by-region basis, researchers say.
Industry claims it can help ensure energy transition is fair to all after EU study finds rolling out 580GW of solar could create synergies in de-industrialising regions.
Beijing could up solar production by 12-13% and unlock 51-74TWh if it acts against industrial and transport emissions driving sunlight dimming, researchers say.
