Emiliano Bellini
Enel Green Power converts Italian module factory to production of bi-facial, heterojunction technology
Italy’s ENEL will invest €80 million ($84.4 million) to convert its PV module manufacturing facility, in southern Italy, from amorphous silicon to bi-facial heterojunction modules. ENEL expects to launch its new modules in 2018 and to reach a capacity of 240 MW in 2019.
Norwegian solar market sees the light with 366% growth in 2016
Around 11 MW of new PV capacity was installed last year in Norway. The volume of new installations grew by 366% compared to 2015. This growth was mainly driven by the country’s regulation for self-consumption and the green certificate scheme.
Neo Solar Power confirms it will gradually exit polycrystalline production
The Taiwanese solar cell maker has confirmed to pv magazine that it will exit the polycrystalline PV business and will focus on its monocrystalline products. The company intends to gradually lower its polycrystalline PV capacity.
UK installs over 1.94 GW of PV in 2016
The UK installed almost 2 GW of new PV installations in 2016, according to provisional BEIS statistics. The country’s cumulative capacity now surpasses 11.49 GW. The largest increase in capacity during the year was registered in March 2016, before the Renewable Obligation scheme for projects smaller than 5 MWp was closed, with a one-year grace period for some projects.
Tempress bags order for 200 MW n-type cell production line from China
The Netherlands-based equipment manufacturer will provide an unidentified solar cell maker in China with a 200 MW production line. The supply agreement includes the possible expansion of the line to 1 GW. The equipment will produce n-type crystalline-silicon cells for bifacial modules.
North American and European utilities invested around $297 million in distributed solar to date, GTM Research
Investments in distributed solar made by North American and European utilities have reached an aggregate value of $297 million to date. North American power providers seem to be more confident on distributed solar, but European companies are investing more heavily in all distributed energy segments.
World Bank approves $480 million guarantee to promote solar and renewables in Argentina
The World Bank will promote the development of large-scale renewable energy and solar projects across Argentina with a $ 480 million guarantee. The funds will be used to support projects being implemented under the country’s RenovAr program for renewable energies.
Meyer Burger to shut-down U.S. diamond wire production
The Swiss equipment provider has announced a plan to close production for its diamond wire platform in Colorado. The company blames global pressure on prices and margins. Meanwhile, its preliminary financial results for 2016 show a 40% increase in sales.
Italy installed 369 MW of new PV systems in 2016
The Italian solar market grew by 22% in 2016. The country added 369 MW of new PV systems last year. This growth was mainly driven by tax breaks for the residential sector and the regulation for self-consumption. Most of these systems have a power of up to 100 kW.
Belgium’s PV power surpasses 3.42 GW
Belgium has now over 3.4 GW of installed PV power. Most of this capacity, 2.45 GW, is located in the Flemish-speaking region of Flanders. The French-speaking region of Wallonia and the Brussels Metropolitan Region have reached 931 MW and 56 MW, respectively. In 2016, the country registered a 77% increase in new installations.
