Falling battery costs to push solar, wind to 50% electricity generation by 2050, but electricity still failing CO₂ reduction targets – BNEF
Solar PV capacity is set to grow 17-fold, and wind six-fold, by 2050, to account for nearly half of global electricity generation, predicts BNEF, while investments will reach US$11.5 trillion. Cost reductions will drive this charge, particularly in the battery market, which will benefit from the EV manufacturing ramp up. Despite this, the electricity sector is still failing to bring CO₂ emissions down to the required levels, with its continued dependence on gas.
Arizona delivers solar at half price of existing coal generation
Arizona’s largest power user has approved a 20-year power contract with a 30 MW solar project at US$2.49¢/kWh (AUD3.27c/kWh), the lowest price for a public solar power contract to date. The deal also involves shutting down a coal plant.
California generates more power from solar than gas in May
During May utility-scale solar provided 17% of generation on California’s grid, outpacing gas for the first time on a monthly basis.
Nextracker to supply trackers for 634 MW of First Solar projects
The tracker maker will also supply a new type of racking for the roll out of First Solar’s large-format Series 6 modules.
SunPower to exit utility-scale solar development
The company is pivoting to DG solar and expanding its manufacturing as it continues to struggle with profitability.
Proposed building regulations require solar power on every house in California
The California Energy Commission is expected to approve the 2019 Building Energy Code that calls for solar PV on all new homes. The goal is net zero residential energy usage.
Musk hints at 1 GW battery as Tesla U.S. solar power installations fall further
The company’s energy generation and storage division set a record of $410 million in revenue during Q1, but solar power fell to 2013 deployment levels.
sPower, Array Technologies announce multi-gigawatt US tracker partnership
Over the next three years, Array expects to supply multiple gigawatts of trackers to the developer, as its “primary” tracker supplier.
Tandem PV cells present potential for residential applications, MIT scientists say
Four different thin film solar PV technologies were tested by the MIT experts across three types of environment in the U.S.: Arid (Arizona); temperate (South Dakota); and humid (Florida). The research found that despite high costs, tandem cells may become viable in rooftop applications.
First Solar still sold out into 2020
The thin film solar maker is also reviving its EPC division with a goal to build 1 GW of solar projects each year, as well as increasing its presence in O&M services.
