Technology

The South African electricity supplier, Eskom, has awarded 18 photovoltaic projects with a total capacity of 631.53 MW during the first round of the renewables programme in South Africa. Iberdrola Engineering will build two of these facilities.

According to Isofotón, it is the first high concentration solar photovoltaic (HCPV) plant installed by a company of non_Chinese origin. It has been developed on the outskirts of the town of Golmud in the northeast of the country.

The Catalan Institute of Energy Research (IREC) has been designated by the European Commission to lead the Inducis research project, which will look into “advanced photovoltaic (PV) technologies for the manufacture of low-cost, high-efficiency CIGS thin-film solar cells and modules”.

 In reality the programme comprises four projects under the "Sigmasoles" banner; all a pure demonstration of the most cutting-edge concentrated solar technology made in Spain. The projects are being coordinated by ISFOC, are funded by the Ministry of Science, and are the result of a public-private partnership involving around twenty participants.

Seven Catalan companies have set out to meet the needs of consumer in areas where drinking water and electricity to obtain clean non-potable water is unavailable. The solution they have developed is a portable water treatment plant powered using solar photovoltaics (PV).

The good news at the start of a new school year is that approximately 300,000 pupils from 300 rural state schools in Rwanda's 27 districts can now benefit from new lighting powered by solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays supplied by Isofoton.

The Affirma Group has announced plans to use energy produced from trains’ brakes and solar panels to power electric car battery charging stations.

Isofoton is participating in three Innpacto projects to develop its high-concentration technology. The three initiatives are being coordinated from a technical perspective by the Institute of Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems, ISFOC.

"New energy in Bornay: Bornay Photovoltaic is born". This is how Bornay - one of the most longstanding renewables companies in Spain - announced its new solar photovoltaic division following the signing of a collaborative agreement with a domestic manufacturer which the company has chosen not to reveal.

The Building and Energy Group at the University of Saragossa is designing a prototype sustainable house that produces more energy than it consumes and generates no waste. The Casa Pi, as it is known, will be exhibited at Solar Decathlon 2012 in Madrid in September of next year.