Emiliano Bellini
Eni, Sonatrach start construction on 10 MW PV plant in Algeria
Italian oil producer Eni and Sonatrach — an Algerian state-owned company that specializes in the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources — have broken ground on a 10 MW solar facility in southern Algeria.
Namibia publishes tariffs for net-metering
Namibia’s Electricity Control Board (ECB) has announced the new rates applicable to PV systems installed under the government’s net-metering scheme. The new mechanism was introduced by the government in November 2016. PV projects up to 500 kVa can be developed under the scheme.
South Africa’s PV capacity reaches 1.47 GW, new PV installations for 2016 total 509 MW
The South African solar market registered 509 MW of new PV installations in 2016. The country’s cumulative PV capacity reached 1.47 GW as of the end of December. Meanwhile, the price of solar power has dropped significantly over the past five years.
Solar demand is boosting silver prices, says Silver Institute
Two different reports highlight how PV demand is currently improving silver’s industrial offtake. The Silver Institute says that prices have increased 9% since the beginning of this year, while ETF Securities says that mining capital expenditure and investments are declining, and that this could further weigh on silver supply.
Engie issues €1.5 billion green bond, eyes Belgian residential PV segment
The French energy giant has issued its second green bond to sustain its expansion into the renewable energy sector. The €1.5 billion bond will also be used to finance solar projects. Meanwhile, the company has started to target the Belgian commercial PV market.
EDF to deploy 23.7 MW of solar in France, creates storage unit in North America
The French energy giant keeps expanding into the renewable energy business. Its France-based unit EDF Energies Nouvelles will build PV plants totaling 23.7 MW, while its US division EDF EN has created a new subsidiary for distributed solar and storage projects up to 30 MW.
Armenia builds third 1 MW PV plant under special tariff regime, announces plans for module factory
The Armenian government introduced a special tariff for PV projects up to 1 MW in late 2016. Construction on the country’s third 1 MW solar project under this regime has now begun. Furthermore, the Ministry of Energy has announced plans for Armenia’s first module factory.
ET Solar begins work on ACWA’s 60.9 MW solar plant in Jordan
The German subsidiary of ET Solar is building a 60 MW PV plant in Jordan for ACWA Power. Construction on the project is expected to be completed within ten months.
Czech solar market shows first signs of revival in residential segment
The Czech solar market collapsed in 2014 after the country’s FIT scheme was shut down. After two years of almost zero growth, the country’s PV market registered a slight increase in new installations in 2016. This growth was mainly due to the support program for sustainable buildings.
Estonia to replace feed-in premium scheme for renewables and solar with auction mechanism
The Estonian government plans to replace the current FIP scheme for renewable energies with an auction mechanism within the next few months. The country’s installed PV capacity reached 10 MW at the end of 2016.
