Emiliano Bellini
Kosovo embarks on renewables path
Although the Balkan country has recently approved the construction of a new coal power plant, Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj has said he intends to open the energy market to solar and wind power, an action that was recommended by the EU a year earlier.
Acciona breaks ground on 186 MW of solar in Egypt
The Spanish renewable energy company is building three solar facilities at the Benban complex in partnership with Saudi company, Swicorp. The installations will rely on solar modules provided by Chinese manufacturer, Astronergy and trackers from the Spanish provider, STI Norland.
Cox Energy secures PPA for 660 MW of solar in Spain and Portugal
The power purchase agreement (PPA) relates to large-scale PV projects planned to be operational by 2020. The buyer of the power generated by the solar facilities is Spain’s power provider, Audax. 495 MW of the capacity will be located in Spain, while the remaining 165 MW will be installed in Portugal.
1.2 GW solar project at area of Chernobyl’s nuclear disaster is doable – Engie
The feasibility study was conducted by France’s Tractebel Engineering SA. The authors of the report concluded that the 1.2 GW solar park is feasible, despite the current radioactive contamination levels in the area.
Spain to again host solar cell manufacturing
The production unit of Spain’s five-year idled solar cell maker, Cel Celis has been acquired by Bashmor Engineering. The new investor plans to restart manufacturing activities at the factory in Bembimbre, and to double capacity to 70 MW within a year.
Gas Natural Fenosa enters Brazilian solar market with 83 MW acquisition
The seller of the two PV projects, both to be developed in the state of Minas Gerais, is Chinese-Canadian solar module manufacturer, Canadian Solar. The €95 million transaction enables the Spanish power and gas provider to make its entry into the Brazilian solar market, after it secured its first large-scale PV projects in Spain in last summer’s auction.
Scatec Solar plans 25 MW solar park in central Ukraine
The Norwegian developer’s first solar project in the eastern European country is expected to help the region of Cherkasy reduce its energy shortage.
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.
