Pilar Sánchez Molina
Brazil eliminates import duties for cells, modules, inverters and trackers
The Brazilian government has u-turned over solar equipment import duty by introducing a measure to remove the 12% levy for 101 types of module plus some inverters and trackers. President Jair Bolsonaro had vetoed a similar proposal by the Senate and House of Representatives in November, stating it would be too costly.
Two strategic Euro solar deals rumored
State-owned power company China Three Gorges is reportedly ready to offer up to €600 million for 13 solar assets owned by X-Elio in Spain while Germany’s ib vogt is up for sale, according to Reuters.
Colombia streamlines tax incentives for renewables
The procedures to secure income tax deductions, value-added tax exclusions, customs duty exemptions, and accelerated depreciation rates for renewable projects has been shortened to 45 days.
Latin America’s largest solar-wind project moves forward
Around 30% of a 571 MW Chilean hybrid facility owned by Irish developer Mainstream Renewable Power has been built. The Condor solar power plant is part of the 1.3 GW Andes Renovables wind-solar complex.
Valmont becomes largest shareholder of Brazilian PV company Solbras
The parent of Italian tracker business Convert has entered the Brazilian solar market with plans for agri-business products and other systems.
A ten-year PPA for 50 MW Spanish project
Dutch solar developer Sonnedix will supply Norwegian renewables company Statkraft with around 100 GWh of green electricity annually from 2021 to 2031. The electricity will be generated by a solar plant planned in Badajoz. Sonnedix also announced the acquisition of 4.6 MW more Spanish solar capacity.
EU to support tenders for 15 GW of renewables over next two years
The EurActiv portal has published a draft of the European Commission’s reconstruction plan, which includes a tender program for 15 GW of renewable energy projects over the next two years. The tender mechanism is expected to raise €25 billion of investments.
Solar grade silicon production comes back to Spain
Rivas-Vaciamadrid-based company Aurinka is planning to start UMG silicon manufacturing in Puertollano, Castile-La Mancha, this year. The company says its patented low-carbon production process offers low enough manufacturing costs to compete with Asian rivals.
A new device to detect PV panel failure
A Spanish start-up has developed a system which offers automated fault detection in solar panels at any scale.
Power purchase agreement for 83 MW of Spanish solar
Sunco Capital has secured a deal with oil major Shell. The electricity will be provided by two solar parks Sunco is building near Ciudad Real, in southern Spain.
