Silfab unveils US manufacturing site with $40 million investment in Itek Energy
Canada-based Silfab Solar has invested US$40 million in U.S. solar PV module manufacturer, Itek Energy, LLC’s Bellingham, Washington production facility.
Lion Point Capital offers $250m to support Canadian Solar’s go-private bid
Shares of Canadian Solar soared earlier this week after U.S. investment firm Lion Point Capital revealed that it had initiated discussions with a number of undisclosed third parties about the possibility of funding the privatization of the solar PV module supplier.
Africa: UK announces £56 million for battery storage, support for solar
The U.K. Government says it will make £56 million available for battery storage technologies in South Africa. Nigeria also saw the next phase of the U.K.-Nigeria Climate Finance Accelerator unveiled; while the continent as a whole, is set to benefit from further partnerships and investment in both solar and climate change.
California energy storage subsidy extension passes Assembly
A U.S. bill to extend the SGIP program through 2026 and add nearly 3 GW of behind-the-meter energy storage has passed the California Assembly. It will now go to the Senate to be reconciled before going to Governor Jerry Brown.
Solar industry rejects UK government plan to end FIT, export tariff schemes
In consultations in late July this year, the U.K. Government proposed ending both the feed-in tariff (FIT) and export tariff schemes. The policy changes would end financial compensation for prosumers feeding electricity into the grid. In a letter, the industry, including major utilities like Eon and Ovo Energy, voiced their clear rejection of the plan.
India: Historic low tariff for 35 MW rooftop solar tender
The recent 35.29 MW rooftop solar tender, floated by Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) hit a historic low tariff of Rs. 1.58 (US$0.022) per unit. Overall, it attracted 31 bidders, and was oversubscribed by 630%.
USTDA awards grant for 100 MW solar+storage project in Mozambique
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a US$1.2 million grant for a feasibility study assessing the viability of an up to 100 MW solar PV plant, coupled with storage, in Mozambique.
130 MW solar project announced in Myanmar
Thailand-based Modern Energy Management (MEM) says it has teamed up with an undisclosed investor to develop a 130 MWp solar PV project in Myanmar. It is expected to come online in Q4 2019. Overall, the country is said to have a large-scale solar pipeline totaling 1.5 GW.
India to introduce cap on solar tariff
In a major development, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has directed the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to fix the upper permissible solar tariff at Rs. 2.50 (US$0.036)/kWh and Rs. 2.68 ($0.038)/kWh for developers using domestic solar cells and modules (without safeguard duties), and imported products (with safeguard duties), respectively.
Canadian Solar, ET Energy to build 132 MW of solar in South Africa
Canadian Solar Inc. and ET Energy will deliver EPC services to two large-scale solar PV projects totaling 132 MWp for South Africa’s BioTherm Energy.
