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1. Iberian Blackouts: A Wake-Up Call for Global Energy Security

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull warns that the recent widespread blackouts in Spain and Portugal should serve as a global wake-up call on energy security.

What Happened?

Millions across Iberia were left without power due to cascading failures in the electricity grid-not because of a cyberattack, but due to vulnerabilities in the modern, interconnected energy system.

Key Insights

• Grid Vulnerability: The blackout exposed how integrating more renewables like wind and solar can make grid management more complex.

• Supply-Demand Imbalance: A sudden mismatch, along with automatic nuclear plant shutdowns and a rapid drop in solar power, led to the outage.

• Need for Stability: The incident highlighted a lack of stable, dispatchable power sources to back up variable renewables.

Turnbull’s Recommendations

• Invest in Grid-Scale Storage: Technologies such as pumped hydro and batteries are essential for balancing supply and demand.

• Improve Grid Management: Smarter systems and stronger interconnections with neighbouring grids can boost resilience.

• Prioritize Security: As the world decarbonizes, energy security and grid flexibility must be central to planning.

The Iberian blackout is a powerful reminder: energy security and grid resilience are just as important as the shift to renewables. Future energy systems must be robust, flexible, and prepared for unexpected challenges.

2. US Residential Solar Hits Record Low of $2.50/W

Residential solar in the US is more affordable than ever, according to Energy Sage’s latest report. The median quoted price for home solar installations dropped to $2.50 per watt in the second half of 2024-a 6.4% decrease from earlier in the year and a dramatic fall from over $3.75/W ten years ago.

Key Highlights

Average System Cost:
For an 11.5 kW system, the average pre-incentive cost is $28,750. After the 30% federal tax credit, this drops to $20,125. Additional state incentives may further reduce costs.

Why Are Prices Falling?
Lower equipment costs (solar panel prices fell 30% in 2024) and softer demand (installations dropped 31% in 2024) are the main reasons for the price drop.

Battery Storage on the Rise:
More homeowners are adding batteries to their solar systems, especially in California (79% of projects), Texas (68%), and Florida (45%). Nationwide, 45% of solar quotes now include batteries.

Tesla Leads, But Faces Challenges:
Tesla’s Powerwall 3 is the most-quoted battery, and Tesla’s inverter market share grew by 1100% in 2024. However, some homeowners are now requesting non-Tesla equipment due to political controversies and battery supply shortages.

Financing Trends:
In the second half of 2024, more homeowners chose third-party ownership (leases or power purchase agreements) over loans for the first time. TPO projects made up 52% of the market, while loans dropped to 39%.

Solar and battery prices are at record lows, making clean energy more accessible for US homeowners.

3. Ørsted Sells UK Wind Farm Stake for $606 Million

Ørsted has successfully sold a 24.5% stake in its West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm to Schroders Greencoat for approximately £456 million ($606 million). The 389 MW wind farm is located off the UK’s west coast

Key Highlights

• Deal Value: £456 million ($606 million)

• Buyer: Funds managed by Schroders Greencoat

• Asset: 24.5% stake in the 389 MW West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm

• Seller’s Remaining Stake: Ørsted retains 25.5% and remains the operator

Analyst Insights

Analysts describe the sale price as being at the "very high end" of the market, highlighting strong investor demand for established offshore wind assets.

Strategic Importance

• Capital Recycling: The sale is part of Ørsted’s strategy to strengthen its capital structure and recycle funds into new renewable projects.

• Risk Diversification: By bringing in new partners, Ørsted spreads project risk and supports ongoing growth.

• Turnaround Efforts: The transaction is seen as a positive step in Ørsted’s turnaround plan following recent challenges in its US operations.

Ørsted continues its global offshore wind expansion, with more than 8 GW of new projects in development.

4 . RWE Project Could Cost Dogger Bank £582 Million Due to Wind Losses

There’s a new issue in the UK’s offshore wind industry. Equinor and SSE, the companies behind the huge Dogger Bank wind farm, say that a nearby wind project by RWE will cause “wake losses.” This means the wind flow will be slowed down, making Dogger Bank’s turbines produce less electricity.

What Does This Mean?

• Big Financial Impact:
  Equinor and SSE estimate that the RWE project will cause Dogger Bank to lose about £582 million (around $778 million) because of reduced wind power.

• What Are Wake Losses?
  When wind turbines are placed close to each other, the turbines in front slow down the wind for those behind them. This reduces the amount of electricity the back turbines can generate.

• About Dogger Bank:
  Dogger Bank is one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world. It’s located in the North Sea, off the coast of Yorkshire, England, and is a key part of the UK’s clean energy plans.

Why Is This Important?

As more wind farms are built close to each other, these kinds of problems will become more common. It’s important for companies and planners to work together to avoid losing valuable wind power.

The offshore wind industry will need to find ways to manage these wake losses so that projects can be successful and help the UK reach its renewable energy goals.

1 . ☀️Corning to Expand Solar Wafer Manufacturing in Michigan

Corning is making a major investment in clean energy manufacturing, announcing a $1.5 billion expansion of its solar wafer production at the Hemlock Semiconductor plant in Saginaw County, Michigan.

🌟 Project Highlights

• $1.5 Billion Investment: Corning’s expansion will create around 400 new high-paying jobs, increasing total employment at the facility to 1,500.

• Largest in the U.S.: The new advanced manufacturing facility will be the largest solar wafer plant of its kind in the United States.

• Production Timeline: Commercial production of “made-in-America” wafers is set to begin in the second half of 2025.

Strong Market Demand

• Corning has already secured customers for 100% of its 2025 production capacity and 80% for the next five years.

• The company is partnering with Suniva and Heliene to deliver the first U.S.-made solar module using domestically produced polysilicon, wafers, and cells.

This expansion strengthens the domestic solar supply chain and supports American energy independence by reducing reliance on imported components.

2. Vikram Solar Launches 630 W N-Type Bifacial Modules

Vikram Solar has unveiled its new Hypersol series of n-type bifacial solar modules, targeting commercial, industrial, and utility-scale projects.

⚡ Project Details:

• Power Output: 605 W to 630 W

• Efficiency: 22.38% to 23.30%

• Cell Technology: 132 half-cut bifacial cells using G12R rectangular wafer format

• Bifacility: Up to 80%

• Temperature Coefficient: -0.30% per °C

• Dimensions: 2,384 mm x 1,134 mm x 30 mm

• Weight: 32.1 kg

Sustainability and Compliance        

•  Built with recyclable materials

• Certified to international standards (IEC, UL, BIS) for global reliability and compliance

The new modules aim to deliver higher efficiency, long-term energy gains, and reduced operational costs.

3. OMV Commissions Austria’s Largest Green Hydrogen Plant Near Vienna

OMV has launched a 10 MW green hydrogen production plant at its Schwechat refinery near Vienna, marking Austria’s largest facility of its kind.

Project Highlights

• Capacity: 10 MW polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer

• Annual Output: Up to 1,500 metric tons of green hydrogen

• Investment: €25 million

• Power Source: 100% renewable electricity (wind, hydro, solar)

• CO₂ Savings: Up to 15,000 metric tons per year

Impact and Use

• The green hydrogen will be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), renewable diesel (HVO), and other low-carbon chemicals.

• The plant is certified under the EU’s RED II directive for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs).

Strategic Significance

• Supports OMV’s goal to become net zero by 2050.

• Backed by Austria’s Climate and Energy Fund and the WIVA P&G Hydrogen Model Region.

OMV has also partnered with Masdar to explore further green hydrogen and sustainable fuel projects in Austria, the UAE, and Europe.

4. Inox Neo Energies Secures 50 MW in Maiden Wind Power Project Auction

Inox Neo Energies Ltd, a subsidiary of Inox Clean Energy and the renewable energy IPP arm of the INOXGFL Group, has clinched 50 MW in its first-ever wind power project auction.

Project Highlights

• Auction: Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) Wind Phase-IX

• Total Capacity Auctioned: 250 MW of grid-connected wind projects across Gujarat

• Awarded to Inox Neo Energies: 50 MW (out of a quoted 100 MW)

• Tariff: Rs 3.66/kWh

Strategic Significance

• This win marks Inox Neo Energies’ entry into the wind power sector and a significant step in its ambition to be a major player in India’s green energy transition.

• The company’s leadership emphasized its commitment to building a cleaner, greener future and sees this project as the start of a transformative journey.

• With this achievement, Inox Neo Energies is poised to accelerate its growth and contribute meaningfully to India’s renewable energy goals.

1. 💧 Fraunhofer Debuts Contactless Solar Module Cleaning with Sound Technology

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT) has unveiled a groundbreaking, contactless cleaning solution for solar modules-using structure-borne sound.

• How It Works: The technology uses targeted mechanical vibrations (structure-borne sound) to shake dust and sand off PV panels-no water, brushes, or physical contact required.

• Automated & Eco-Friendly: The system is fully automated, reduces maintenance needs, and is environmentally friendly, making it ideal for water-scarce regions.

• Performance Boost: Especially useful in desert environments, where soiling can cut solar output by up to 20%.

Industry Impact

• Market Potential: The global solar module cleaning market is projected to reach $1.85 billion by 2033.

• Sustainability: Fraunhofer’s innovation supports more sustainable and efficient solar energy generation by minimizing water use and operational costs.

See It Live

• Event: Intersolar Europe, Munich

• Dates: May 7–9, 2025

• Location: Hall A2, Booth 236

Stay tuned for more updates on solar innovation and clean energy solutions!

2. LONGi Breaks Efficiency Barriers with Record-Setting Tandem Perovskite Solar Cell

LONGi has once again pushed the boundaries of solar technology, achieving a world-record 34.85% efficiency for its two-terminal tandem perovskite solar cell.

This milestone, verified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), not only surpasses LONGi’s previous record but also breaks through the single-junction Shockley-Queisser limit of 33.7%-a feat never before certified for this cell type.

What Makes This Breakthrough Special?

• Advanced Cell Architecture:
  LONGi’s innovation lies in its bilayer interface passivation, combining a thin lithium fluoride (LiF) layer with ethylenediammonium diiodide (EDAI) molecules. This unique pairing optimizes the delicate balance between blocking unwanted charges and allowing efficient electron flow.

• Patented Silicon Heterojunction:
  The cell leverages LONGi’s proprietary silicon heterojunction design, featuring an asymmetric textured surface. This enhances the coupling between the perovskite and silicon layers, resulting in better passivation and improved infrared response.

• Impressive Performance:
  The record-setting device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.97 V and a fill factor of 83.0%, thanks to the innovative LiF/EDAI bilayer that minimizes energy loss at the interface.

Why It Matters

This breakthrough demonstrates the rapid pace of innovation in tandem solar cell technology, with theoretical efficiency limits now reaching up to 43%. LONGi’s achievement not only cements its leadership in ultra-high-efficiency photovoltaics but also accelerates the global transition to more powerful and cost-effective solar solutions.

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