Blathnaid O'Dea

New figures from Ireland’s ESB Networks reveal that the country has surpassed 1.2 GW of cumulative installed PV capacity, with the residential segment accounting for 20% of the total capacity installed over the past six months.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) has said that energy storage and maximizing the country’s existing renewable energy infrastructure will be a major theme for its next green energy auction. GEA-4 will take place in the final quarter of 2024.

Yale University scientists are seeking industry collaborators to explore stretchy material for panels and growing algae on modules, as well as other efficiency-boosting possibilities inspired by giant clam behavior.

Stanford University professor Mark Z. Jacobson spoke to pv magazine about testifying in support of young US climate activists and revealed which technologies he thinks will be most useful for the energy transition.

This year’s auction saw the Irish government provisionally allocate 959.85 MW of solar across 23 projects. The final average price for PV was €0.10476 ($0.12)/kWh.

French independent power producer (IPP) Neoen is increasing its investment in Irish solar with its Ballinknockane project in Ireland, which is now under construction. The company already operates three solar farms in the country totaling 58 MW and recently secured two new projects totaling 170 MW in the latest Irish energy auctions.

Following Ireland’s most recent renewables auction finalized in late September, the average final price for PV was €0.10476 ($0.12)/kWh, which just a 4% decrease compared to 2023’s auction. pv magazine has spoken with the government, the local PV association and several market operators to understand the reasons behind final high prices.

Terrasmart has designed and manufactured a racking system for a 2.8 MW solar carport project at Ohio’s Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The site’s owners claim it is the largest publicly accessible solar array in the United States, providing shade for up to 800 vehicles.

A trio of companies owned by DCC Group are teaming up on a support scheme to provide Irish businesses with capital to install rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels on their premises. The scheme aims to support 100 companies to install a total of 50 MW of solar over the next five years.

Ireland's overall solar program for schools will see up to 24 MW of installed renewable energy on schools, with associated savings of around €5.5 million ($5.9 million) per year across 4,000 schools nationwide.