China installs 7.2 GW of solar in Q1
The 7.21 GW of fresh capacity that was completed in the January-March period marks an increase of just 70 MW from the first three months of 2016, according to the National Energy Administration (NEA).
Kyocera’s net profit falls 4.8% to $925 million in 2017
The Japanese group’s net income attributable to shareholders fell from JPY 109,047 million ($970.9 million) to JPY 103,843 million in the 12 months to the end of March 2017, partly due to declining sales from its solar business. It did not reveal its total PV module shipments for the year.
New South Wales sets higher benchmark range for FIT
The Australian state’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has drafted recommendations for voluntary solar feed-in tariffs (FITs) for 2017-18. It has proposed a benchmark range of AU$0.116 to AU$0.146/kWh, from AU$0.055 to AU$0.072/kWh in the preceding 12-month period.
Downer scores EPC, O&M deal for 148 MW in Australia
Palisade Investment Partners (Palisade) and ESCO Pacific (ESCO) have selected Sydney-based Downer EDI to handle EPC duties for the A$200 million ($150.5 million) Ross River solar project in the state of Queensland.
Comtec posts $146 million net loss in 2016
The Chinese integrated solar specialist recorded a 1 billion yuan ($146 million) net loss for the 12 months to the end of December, from a loss of just CNY 434.7 million during the same period a year earlier.
LongiTech buys Guangshuo New Energy for $16.7 million
The Chinese company has purchased the entire equity interest in Gaobeidian Guangshuo New Energy for HK$130 million ($16.7 million). As part of the deal, it will issue 44,820,000 consideration shares at HK$2.9 per share.
BECE posts $68 million net profit in 2016
The Hong Kong-listed renewables developer recorded a net profit of HK$529.2 million ($68.03 million) in the 12 months to the end of December, from a profit attributable to shareholders of about HK$38.5 million in 2015. Basic earnings per share for the year were HK$0.14.
Pacifico starts building 258 MW in western Japan
The Tokyo-based developer has begun construction on what it claims will be Japan’s biggest PV project upon completion in September 2019.
Kyocera says PV output steady despite domestic plant closure
The Japanese manufacturer says it expects to produce about 1 GW of solar panels in the year to March 2018, roughly in line with its output in the preceding fiscal year.
Japan may cancel 27.7 GW of approved PV capacity
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has said that it may cancel feed-in tariff (FIT) approvals for 456,000 projects, or roughly 27.6 GW of capacity, as the prospective developers of those projects failed to lock in grid-connection agreements by the government’s March 31 deadline.
