Emiliano Bellini
Ghana’s new government relaunches solar program
The Ghanaian government has resumed plans to promote large-scale solar and wind projects, as well as distributed generation, in order to solve a crisis in Ghana’s power system. Competitive bidding for power capacity procurement will be introduced in the frame of a reviewed Renewable Energy Act.
Lebanon approves plan to install 180 MW of solar
Lebanon has approved a plan to promote the development of solar and renewable energy in the country. The plan aims at deploying 180 MW of PV capacity by 2020. The first auction for utility-scale solar projects was launched in mid-February.
Vattenfall to invest $226 million in solar and storage over next two years
The Swedish power utility announced a plan to invest heavily in renewable energies over the next two years. The company said investments in solar and storage will reach 2 billion SEK ($226.3 million).
Sweden allocates $25.6 million for solar rebates in 2017
The Swedish Energy Agency Energimyndigheten has allocated 225 million SEK ($25.6 million) for the support of solar energy in 2017. The funds will be used for the country’s solar rebate program.
Strategic siting can boost solar development in Africa, says Berkeley Lab
A report from U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) assesses the wind and solar potential of Africa. According to the study, the two technologies can play a major role in the energy economy of the continent, especially if strategic siting and international interconnections are implemented.
French energy regulator publishes tender for commercial PV projects for self-consumption
The French Energy Regulatory Authority has published the tender for the installation of renewable energy and PV projects for self-consumption ranging in size from 100 kW to 500 kW. Through the tender the French government aims to allocate 450 MW of renewable energy capacity over the next three years.
Eurotron’s sister company opens testing facility for back-contact solar in the Netherlands
Eurolab, a sister company of Netherlands-based equipment provider Eurotron, has opened a new testing facility for back-contact PV modules. The laboratory will facilitate pre-production of back-contact solar panels, R&D projects, and small-scale production for solar challenge teams
Algerian renewable energy sector raises doubts on 4 GW solar tender
Parts of Algeria’s renewable energy sector is questioning the 4 GW solar tender recently announced by the Algerian government. Provisions on domestic content requirements and the large share that state-owned entities will have on the ambitious solar plan are seen as the major obstacles for its implementation.
Moldova’s new renewable energy law comes into force, solar expected to see first growth
A new renewable energy law will come into force in the Eastern European country on April 1. Solar and wind are expected to see their first development in the country after several years of almost zero-growth.
QSTec begins manufacturing activities at polysilicon factory in Qatar
The Qatar-based polysilicon manufacturer has begun producing polysilicon at its factory in Doha. The facility has a current annual production capacity of 8,000 MT, but QSTec confirmed its plans to expand it to 50,000 MT.
