Innogy’s Dutch unit moves to buy two solar installers
Dutch energy provider Essent has agreed to take over EnergieWonen Groep and ZON7, two Netherlands-based companies specializing in the supply and installation of rooftop PV, thus enhancing Essent’s sustainable development network.
Distributed solar tops 500 MW in Brazil
According to figures from solar association ABSolar, most of the installed capacity – 371.9 MW – was installed in 2018. Commercial PV dominates with 43.2% as cheaper modules and higher electricity tariffs, combined with an extensive net metering regime, continue to fuel installation rates.
Macquarie and India’s NTPC in race to buy Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services’ assets
India’s leading infrastructure finance company expects to generate up to $1.14bn from wind and solar asset sales.
Solar money is all flowing downstream – in the West at least
Mercom Capital’s latest report on financial activity in the solar sector illustrates an increasing flow of capital towards downstream companies and PV projects – as well as a split between China and the rest of the world.
Volkswagen is all set to become a green energy supplier
The German car giant has created Elli, a subsidiary that will provide green power and charging solutions for the EV sector. Volkswagen – still haunted by the diesel emissions scandal – says it wants to make mobility sustainable.
World Bank injects $100 million to support solar in Pakistan
The funds will be used to implement the Sindh Solar Energy Project, a scheme aimed at increasing solar power generation and access to electricity in Sindh province.
Canadian-UK funding for pilot smart grid solutions
A competition backed by public funding from the governments of the two nations is seeking proposals for projects that will help electricity grids transition to clean and flexible energy.
900 MW solar farm approved for Australia’s Riverina region
In the final days of 2018, Australia’s New South Wales government gave its tick of approval for the construction of the state’s largest solar farm to date, rounding off a year that saw a flurry of utility-scale solar construction activity and an unprecedented number of big solar additions in the state.
New products contribute to another record year for sustainable finance
BloombergNEF figures show financial vehicles linked to environmental and/or social benefits amounted to $247bn worldwide in 2018. The US led the way, almost entirely because state-backed mortgage provider Fannie Mae issued $19.8bn worth of green home loans.
Iron therapy for solar cells
A research team from Sweden has developed a new iron-based molecule, which it says has the potential for further cost reductions in solar cells, and can also function as a photocatalyst to produce fuel.
