Emiliano Bellini
French energy giants keep investing in renewables
Engie has become partner of the solar and hydrogen-propelled catamaran, Energy Observer, while Total has become the founding partner of the Cathay Smart Energy Fund in China.
Colbún acquires First Solar’s 150 MW solar project in northern Chile
The project, Sol de Tarapacá, will be located in the municipality of Pozo Almonte, in Chile’s northern region of Tarapacá.
Vattenfall: “PV will lead the race”
For a long time, the Swedish power utility has primarily focused on hydro and wind power when it comes to renewables. But in recent months, the number of solar PV and storage projects has significantly increased. This was reason enough for pv magazine to talk with Claus Wattendrup, head of Vattenfall’s Solar and Batteries Business Unit, about the utility’s concrete plans.
Italy installed 60 MW of solar in first two months of 2018
Around 60% of the newly installed capacity comes from residential installations, a sign that the market is still being driven by the rooftop business, despite new developments in the large-scale and private PPA segments.
Ethiopia’s utility, EEP reveals pre-qualified bidders of 250 MW solar tender
Through the tender, the state-owned power utility of the African country wants to build two PV power plants with a capacity of 125 MW each. The projects are part of a 500 MW solar plan, expected to be implemented via the World Bank’s Scaling Solar program.
Natixis acquires 25 MW in Portugal
The French corporate and investment bank acquired the project from Hyperion Renewables via its unit for responsible investment solutions, Mirova. The project has already secured a 10-year PPA from local power distributor, Axpo Ibéria.
Luxembourg scientists provide new insight on how sodium can be used in thin film solar cell manufacturing
The research team found that sodium, contrary to common belief, does not decrease per se indium and gallium interdiffusion, but instead hinders intergrain diffusion by segregating at grain boundaries.
Four key takeaways from the Solar Solutions exhibition in the Netherlands
The Dutch solar fair has now taken the shape of an international event, due to the increasing number of big players attracted to the Netherland’s PV market, and the high level of professionalization that has been reached by the local ecosystem of installers and distributors. Although a few uncertainties on the possible changes of the current regulatory framework are suggesting caution, solar across all of its segments is clearly set to become a mainstream source of energy nationwide.
Spain has 24 GW of solar projects under review
Investments in new large-scale solar energy projects in Spain are expected to surpass €4 billion over the next two years. Meanwhile, the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha is planning to reduce the timeframe for the authorization process for solar and renewables from 12 to nine months.
JinkoSolar posts strong shipments increase for 2017, but lower profits
Last year, the Chinese solar PV module maker shipped 9.8 GW, and achieved a revenue of US$4 billion. Both gross and net profit, however, declined due to lower ASPs, higher polysilicon prices and increased output from OEM partners.
