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Annual International Roadmap for Photovoltaics, compiled by the German production equipment industrial association (VDMA), reveals slowdown in module price reduction for 2017 in contrast to significant market increase that saw module production capacity rise above 130 GW.

Belgium market update: Once among Europe’s leaders in solar PV deployment, with more than 1 GW of capacity added in its peak year of 2011, Belgium’s market lost momentum following the abrupt closure of generous subsidy programs. In recent years, driven by its residential PV segment, the country has experienced a solar comeback, which became particularly prominent in the year just passed.

GTM Research and SEIA’s final report on the U.S. solar market in 2017 shows both the struggle of the residential sector, as well as a larger than anticipated fall in utility-scale volumes, leading to a 30% contraction overall.

Ghana is planning to grow its solar industry, via utility-scale solar, off-grid projects and domestic manufacturing, the President said at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) founding ceremony.

The Brazilian government is planning to resort to renewable energies to meet power demand in the non-interconnected areas in the north of the country. Meanwhile, another Brazilian state, Santa Catarina, has decided to introduce the ICMS exemption for solar DG.

Kumamoto Electric Power, a Japanese power producer and retailer, has launched a new cryptocurrency-mining subsidiary that will primarily draw electricity from solar PV arrays.

The 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are on track to make solar and other renewables account for 23% of the region’s total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2025, but governments will need to create better policy and investment frameworks to make it happen, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The head of Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has said that the Japanese company remains committed to renewables development, and has vowed to expand the regional utility’s business beyond its home market in the coming years.

Blasting the Spanish Government for its lack of renewables action, the Balearic Government has today issued an ambitious Climate Change Law designed to kick start a renewable energy transition on the four islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Overall, it aims to cover 100% of energy demand with renewables by 2050. 230 MW of solar PV are alerady in the pipeline.

Latest report by IEEFA showcases nine case studies among the world’s leading states by wind and solar market share, which can serve as an example for other countries on their energy transition pathways.