Netherlands

The EU-funded Nextbase project aims to manufacture heterojunction, interdigitated back-contact solar modules for less than €0.275/W. Solar panels featuring the Nextbase cell tech are expected to have a conversion efficiency of 23.2%, according to the European Commission.

Batteries have won the lion’s share of recent cleantech venture capital — but here are some recent funding rounds for fusion, graphene, electrical panels, circuit breakers, geothermal drilling and direct-air capture of CO2.

Direct-air capture, along with its mythic sisters, clean coal and carbon capture and sequestration, is a process where CO2 from fossil generators and industrial sources is captured, treated and injected into underground earth formations for permanent storage or for industrial use.

Also in the brief: The $400 million, 500 MW PV project in Oman, Tampa Electric Company is looking to double its solar capacity, New York passes renewable siting legislation and more.

Also in the brief: Enphase ships storage; homeless encampments using secondhand solar; big batteries.

Some 15 countries are able to lay claim to the status of being members of solar’s “gigawatt club” in 2019, according to projections from BloombergNEF. To kick off 2020, pv magazine’s global team of correspondents and editors have highlighted 10 fast-growing solar markets to evaluate where the opportunities, and potential risks, lie.

In May, oil giant Shell invested in battery maker sonnen. Now the 112-year-old company wants to fully acquire the business.

The battery integrator has already began to draw on the funds as it continues to expand its market presence in the United States and in Australia. Shell Ventures is now a major sonnen investor and and the companies have agreed to future cooperation.

The RMI handbook provides a template to reduce and eliminate cities’ carbon footprints, including solar implementation strategies and examples.

The Lightyear One, developed by Dutch startup Lightyear, is now available for general sale at a retail price of €119,000. Company hopes to secure 200 orders by end of year.