Botswana issues tender for 12 IPP solar projects
Through the tender, the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) is seeking independent power producers (IPPs) to provide more electricity connections within the African country. It joined the International Solar Alliance at the beginning of November.
Nextracker to supply Australia’s 255 MW Sunraysia Solar Farm
EPC contractor Decmil Group has selected Nextracker’s NX Horizon solar trackers for the 255 MW Sunraysia Solar Farm, one of Australia’s largest solar farms located in New South Wales.
Neoen announces financial close for 140 MW (DC) PV plant in El Salvador
The power plant will be connected to a 3 MW/1.5 MWh lithium-ion battery system. Lenders are the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), the French Development Agency (Proparco) and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Foresight Solar acquires 80 MW project portfolio in UK
The latest acquisition means the solar energy investment company has expanded its portfolio to 869 MW across 54 installations. The company says the increased diversification of its portfolio will improve operational efficiencies.
UK: Ofgem proposal means ‘the most profligate energy users will be rewarded’, says STA
Power market regulator favors a flat rate fee for electricity consumers to fund the cost of making the U.K. grid fit for the energy transition. Solar lobbyists say that will unfairly penalize households and businesses who have invested in on-site generation.
Poland’s wind, solar auction concludes with lowest price of $79.1/MWh
The auction’s final lowest price was higher than that of the two previous auctions of the same kind, which were held in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Overall, 8,169 TWh of power were sold for PLN 2.2 billion (US$579.8 million).
Renewables surpassed fossil fuels capacity in Germany last year
In their annual monitoring report, Germany’s Federal Network Agency and the Federal Cartel Office have analyzed the figures for 2017. At the end of last year, renewables accounted for around 112.5 GW of operational capacity, while conventional sources totalled 105.1 GW.
Chile launches call for $193.4 million solar energy research institute
The Technological Institute for Solar Energy, Low Emissions Mining and Advanced Materials of Lithium and other materials, will be set up with a mixture of public funding and 30% private investment.
“There are four or five key issues in project quality control, most of them before installing the first module”
PI Berlin plans to open a headquarters in Spain next year. pv magazine has spoken with Senior Consultant Asier Ukar about market expectations, the most recurrent quality failures in Spain, risks, certification and protectionism. “After 10 years, we return to Spain with much enthusiasm,” he told us.
German government plans softer FIT reduction for commercial solar
The coalition government has reached agreement on the FIT reduction for rooftop PV not exceeding 750 kW in size. According to a draft bill, seen by pv magazine, the FIT will be reduced to €0.0987/kWh from February, with further cuts in March and April, which would take it down to €0.0890/kWh.
