Emiliano Bellini
Peru will not hold renewable energy auction in 2017
Minister of energy Gonzalo Tamayo said that Peru’s next auction will likely take place in 2018. The ministry is now reviewing several projects selected in the 2016 auction which are not being implemented.
Fortum plans to build Estonia’s first solar park
The Finnish utility has confirmed plans to build a MW-sized PV plant in the Baltic country. The installation would be located near Tartu, Estonia’s second largest city.
Sweden and Norway extend joint electricity certificate system for renewables to 2030
The governments of Sweden and Norway have come to an agreement on how the electricity certificate system for renewable energies will be further implemented. The joint market-based support system of the two Scandinavian countries is open to power plants utilizing biofuels, wind, solar, hydro and tidal energy.
Slovenia launches solar rebate scheme
The Slovenian government has earmarked €3 million to finance solar rebates in 2017. The funds will cover 20% of the costs for buying and installing a PV system under net metering.
Imec claims 22.8% efficiency for bifacial n-type PERT solar cell
The Belgian research institute has developed a bifacial n-PERT solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 22.8%. Imec researchers claim this cell has the potential for a cost-of-ownership at module level of less than $0.30/W.
Engie acquires stake in Chinese solar developer Unisun
The French energy giant has entered the Chinese solar market through a 30% equity investment in local PV developer Unisun.
Vietnam releases FIT and net metering scheme for solar
The Vietnamese government has issued the long-expected FIT scheme for solar energy projects. The 20-year FIT was set at VND 2,086 ($0.091)/kWh. Furthermore, a net metering mechanism is expected to support residential PV across the country.
Nigerian government inks deals for 120 MW of solar
Nigeria’s Ministry of Power has signed two put/call option agreements with local solar developers Afrinegia Nigeria Limited and CT Cosmos Nigeria Limited. The two companies are planning to build two PV plants with a combined capacity of 120 MW.
Argentina seeks to secure Chinese support for 300 MW solar project in Jujuy province
A delegation of Argentina’s Ministry of Finance has met with representatives of the Chinese government to discuss, among other things, the financing of the 300 MW solar project selected in the first national renewable energy tender of the RenovAr program.
Netherlands’ Gasunie launches 1 MW power-to-gas pilot project powered by solar
The Dutch gas provider is building Netherlands’ first MW-sized power-to-gas installation. The plant will be powered by 5,000 solar modules.
