Emiliano Bellini
Japanese scientists develop ZHR method to improve manufacturing of thin film monocrystalline silicon
The research team believes that the new technology may resolve technical problems and drastically reduce the manufacturing cost of the lift-off process in the production of thin film monocrystalline solar cells.
GCL-Poly reports 8% revenue growth for 2017
Last year, the Chinese polysilicon maker saw robust demand for wafers and polysilicon, paticularly between the second and third quarters. Furthermore, the company said it achieved all its technological upgrade goals, and started construction on its new 20,000 MT polysilicon factory in Xinjiang in December.
Mexico to hold new power auction including solar in November
This year’s auction will be carried out by Mexico’s energy regulatory commission, CRE. Final results will be announced in early November.
Norwegian solar market grew by 59% in 2017
The country’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 45 MW at the end of last December. Newly installed PV systems for 2017 totaled around 18 MW, which was the largest annual growth ever registered in the Norwegian PV market.
Peru to hold new auction for solar and renewables in 2H of 2018 – Interview
In an interview with pv magazine, the president of the Peruvian Society of Renewable Energies, Juan Coronado, discusses the auction for solar and renewables, which the government is obliged to hold this year, and the different options large-solar has to resume its development in the Andean country. According to him, when the obstacles that are currently impeding private PPAs are eliminated, utility-scale PV projects could be conceived outside of the auction mechanism.
Norway’s Statoil changes name to Equinor to reflect new clean energy strategy
The Norwegian oil company announced its intention to enter the solar energy business in October, when it launched a US$197 million fund dedicated to renewable energies.
KGAL further invests in large-scale PV in southern European countries
The solar plans of the German independent investment and asset manager in Spain, Italy and Portugal are part of a broader plan to further invest in renewables, including wind and hydropower.
Denmark preps tender scheme for PV projects up to 1 MW
The Danish Energy Agency has now submitted the scheme for a public consultation. The tender’s budget for 2018 amounts to around 105 million DKK (US$17.4 million).
Italy’s Maresca Group plans 200 MW of solar in Iran
Following the completion of a 10 MW solar PV plant on the Iranian island of Qeshm, the Italian company is now planning to build another two projects with a capacity of 100 MW each in the country.
China Smarter Energy acquires 300 MW PV project in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
The Chinese solar power plant operator has agreed to acquire the projects for around US$13 million in its largest-ever transaction. At the end of November, the company’s PV plant portfolio in China reached 180 MW.
