July 2016

Swedish Nano Film Technology Improves Efficiency Of Solar Cells

Europe/Middle East/Africa, Solar, Technology

Sol Voltaics, the Swedish development company, has developed a nano film, which can increase the efficiency of solar cells. According to research, a solar cell coated with the nano film has proven to increase its production by 50 percent or more. Lars Samuelsson, Professor of Solid State Physics at Lund University, who led the research behind the company, said: “This is fantastic progress. Standard solar cells with an efficiency of 16-17 percent can be boosted up to 27 percent. Yet the cost of the finished solar cells is no more than 10-15 percent.”

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Efficiency Breakthrough In Conversion Of Solar Heat Into Usable Light

Americas, Efficiency, Head Lines, Solar

Since 1961, the Shockley-Queisser Limit has represented an absolute theoretical limit in identifying the efficiency of traditional solar cells in the conversion of energy. A single-layer cell made of silicon, used in the vast majority of today’s solar panels, has an upper limit of about 32 percent. Studies under way to identify whether multiple layers of cells lead to increased overall efficiency by a method known as solar thermophotovoltaics (STPV). In principle, this method of pairing conventional solar cells with added layers of high-tech materials would lead to doubling the theoretical limit of efficiency and double the power from panels.

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Colbún, Total And SunPower Agreement Highlights Clean Energy Growth In Chile

Americas, Carbon, Energy, Head Lines, Solar

Colbún S.A. recently announced the award of 15-year power purchase agreement to Total and SunPower for 500-gigawatt hours (GWh) of photovoltaic solar energy per year and the construction of a 164MW solar power plant. The award was selected from 13 competitive tender bids and submission of more than 20 power purchase agreement alternatives. Colbún is the second largest energy generation company in Chile and owns 23 power stations in its Central Interconnected System (SIC) and one in Peru (SEIN, through which it delivers 3,852MW of the installed capacity.

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Energy Generation: IEA Finds Notable Growth In Renewables, Decline in Coal, Oil

Americas, Asia Pacific, Biomass, Energy, Europe/Middle East/Africa

The International Energy Agency (IEA) shared that energy generation from renewable energy sources grew by 16% across the 34 nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2015. A 1% decrease in combustible fuels was also noticed; such as coal, gas, and oil, as well as combustible renewables and waste energy sources.

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Siemens And Pattern Combine For Major Wind Power Plant In New Mexico And Texas

Americas, Deals & Finance, Energy, Head Lines, Wind

Siemens (Wind Power and Renewables Division) has agreed with Pattern Energy Group LP to deliver, install and service a total of 141 wind turbines for the Broadview Wind project. The project combines two adjacent projects in New Mexico and Texas with a total installed capacity of 324 megawatts (MW). Siemens Financial Services Division will provide loans for the project totalling nearly $100m. The project is expected to supply about 180,000 average U.S. homes and Siemens is expected to commence installation this month.

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IT Innovation Essential For Upcoming Grid Integration Challenges Ahead

Biomass, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Head Lines, Technology

Modern IT solutions can act as a catalyst to accelerate the development of renewable energies, as they play a key role in adapting demand to the prevailing sun and wind conditions. Ulrich Dietz, CEO of GFT Technologies AG stated that successful implementation will require huge investments in the intelligent controlling and grid integration of wind and solar power. He believes that, in Germany, in particular, the IT industry can play a significant role in this change by formulating creative solutions. “If we are fast, we can create 50,000 new jobs in this field over the coming years at IT companies alone”. Experts forecast that 25 to 30 billion euros will have to be invested in Germany by 2030 and that the opportunities for German energy technology and the IT industry on the global markets for smart grids are immense.

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Report: Renewables Can Supply All Of USA Power Needs

Americas, Biomass, Carbon, Policy, Technology

A new report lays out the reasons and means to alter the United States’s energy supply entirely to renewable energies. It examines the fall in wind and solar costs and the fact that solar growth has exceeded energy advocates’ expectations. It states that The United States has the technical potential to achieve its electricity needs more than 100 times over with solar energy and more than 10 times over with wind energy. Detailed studies on clean energy systems have shown that there are no obstacles in achieving a move to 100% renewable energy; it is entirely possible to make a complete transition at a cost that would be comparable or less than is currently spent on dirty energy.

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Solar Plant Becomes Better Priced Option Than Coal-Fired Plant In Dubai

Carbon, Europe/Middle East/Africa, Region, Solar

At a time of plummeting costs of solar, renewable energy will account for 40% of global electricity output capacity by 2030. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), it will almost double today’s capacity. Profitability of the cheaper projects has come under increased scrutiny during this time of plunging costs, along with the bankruptcy of the largest global clean energy developer, SunEdison. Nevertheless, Renewable Energy projects, with Solar, in particular, are surging and their growth continues to be attractive for investors.

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Sunnova Energy Secures $175m From Goldman Sachs In The Growing US Solar Economy

Americas, Deals & Finance, Head Lines, Region

The capital secured with Goldman Sachs ensures Sunnova’s continued growth in the US residential solar market and the company will use the funds for its expansion plans. It has a strategy of partnering with local installers to invest in assets, in order to provide affordable solar power, while creating job opportunities across the US. CEO John Berger stated, “our focus on profitable, scalable growth and a well-capitalised company has established Sunnova as a clear leader in the rapidly growing solar economy and Goldman Sachs’ financing will allow us to continue… bringing consumers a cost-effective, clean choice for their electricity.”

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