India: Guidelines for selection of 750 MW grid-connected PV projects
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released the draft guidelines for the second phase of batch 1 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) to set up 750 MW of grid solar PV power projects. Comments and suggestions have been requested by the end of April to facilitate the finalization of the guideline.
Malaysia: Saudi Arabian company to develop polysilicon plant
Malaysian state Sarawak will develop a new US$1.6 billion polysilicon manufacturing plant which is slated to start operations in 2016.
ReneSola to supply Enerparc with modules
ReneSola has signed a deal with EPC Enerparc AG to deliver 43.6 MW of modules between April and June this year. 35 MW will be delivered via ReneSola’s OEMs in Poland and India.
Power-one and Phono Solar cooperate on testing program
Power-One, Inc. and Phono Solar have started an Exchange Testing Program. The two companies will exchange products for review and inspection in their own testing facilities.
Japan: PV on the ascent, but nuclear power uncertainty remains
The Japanese Ministry for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced that the total combined renewable energy capacity between April 2012 and January 2013 has reached 1,394 MW. Photovoltaic capacity alone accounted for 1,392 MW.
Grid integration: India looks to Germany
Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Alok Srivastava seeks German cooperation to bring grid integration technology to India.
Saudi Arabia: 50 monitoring stations planned for solar
Saudi Arabia has turned to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for training and expertise. Together with NREL and its partner Battelle, more than 50 monitoring station to gauge and predict solar radiation will be installed in the kingdom.
US: Insufficient funding for energy research
MIT Professor Dr. Ernest Moniz made his pledge at the full committee hearing held this Tuesday, which will eventually decide if he is the man to take over as U.S. Secretary of Energy. The fact the U.S. is not spending enough on energy research was highlighted during the Q&A session. Moniz added that more focus needs to be placed on solar.
Israel: Hydrogen-bromine flow battery goes online
EnStorage Inc. has developed the first ever grid-connected hydrogen-bromine (HBr) flow battery with its 50 kW battery connection at the company’s test site in southern Israel. The battery is said to provide up to 100 kWh of storage capacity.
S.A.G. Solarstrom completes UK project on time
S.A.G. Solarstrom managed to complete three ground-mounted projects in the U.K. on time by the end of March before the changes to the Renewables Obligation Certificate assessment were implemented. The projects have a total of 44 MWp.
