Emiliano Bellini
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.
Engie plans to acquire RWE’s renewable energy unit Innogy, reports
The French energy giant is offering to acquire Innogy, the renewable energy unit of German power provider RWE. Innogy acquired German developer Belectric and its huge solar power plant portfolio in January.
Neoen secures 25-year PPA for 54 MW solar project in Zambia
The French developer has secured a 25-year PPA for Zambia’s largest PV plant. The project, which was selected in an auction held by the World Bank in 2014, will sell power to local utility ZESCO at US$0.0602 per KWh.
Italian PV demand maintains steady pace in January, new opportunities for business
The Italian PV market maintains its path of stable growth in January with approximately 25.7 MW in new systems. Meanwhile, the local government agency GSE has published new rules for the revamping and repowering of existing installations. The Italian renewable energy sector believes that the new rules will create new business opportunities for both solar manufacturers and developers.
