2019

The Dutch PV sector is expected to have grown by 1.3-1.5 GW in 2018. The growth, which marks the Netherlands’ entry into Europe’s gigawatt club, was mainly due to the connection of large-scale projects under the SDE+ program. The nation’s cumulative installed PV capacity should have surpassed 4 GW as the Dutch government prepares to reduce the SDE+ budget.

In the wake of a COP24 climate change conference which emphasized the need to wind down fossil fuel exploitation rapidly, Kuwait is turning to PV as a sustainable solution – of ramping up its oil production.

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has proposed a replacement for the flat rate FIT payment regime that is hard to argue with, as it is linked to the actual amount of electricity exported back into the grid.

It has been reported short-time work at the module manufacturer’s Frankfurt (Oder) facility was halted at the start of the year because of below-subsistence wage levels. The company has not commented on rumors of a possible closure.

The German institute has achieved another efficiency record for multi-junction solar cells. More cost-effective production methods for III-V-layer cells have also been advanced during work as part of the MehrSi project.

Of that colossal sum, 350 GW would be for solar. India currently has installed renewable energy capacity of 75 GW with a further 46 GW under implementation.

The United Nations Development Program wants consultants for Iraq’s PV policy, aimed at helping the Ministry of Electricity in the construction of utility-scale solar plants, as well as in the deployment of 5 MW of residential PV. Frost and Sullivan forecasts around 5 GW of solar capacity may be installed by 2028.

Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman LLP claims JA Solar intended to relist on the Shenzhen exchange after merging with its holding company in July, but did not outline that intent when it asked U.S. shareholders to vote on the planned merger.

According to a Swiss research team, PV technology may take advantage of high Alpine regions to increase generation during winter months when electricity is most needed. On snow-covered mountains, solar panels may have a better yield if their placement takes into account high winter irradiance and ground-reflected radiation and steeper-than-usual panel tilt angles.

State-owned utility Sonabel is seeking proposals for a 20 MW solar power plant in Boulkiemdé province and a 10 MW facility in the Sanmatenga area. Interested developers have time until February 28 to submit project proposals.