US: EnergySage finds $236.5 million tax on solar due to Section 201, USITC
Two major policy decisions in the United States have caused a temporary tax and stagnation in the residential solar industry, finds EnergySage’s Solar Marketplace Intel Report.
Naturgy begins work on two PV projects selected in Spain’s RE auction
The Spanish power and gas provider has started construction on two 50 MW solar plants near Ciudad Real, in the southern region of Castile–La Mancha. The projects are part of the 250 MW pipeline it secured in the government’s renewable energy auction held in July.
200 GW Saudi-Softbank solar plans abandoned – reports
Plans to establish the world’s largest solar energy project have been shelved, according to the Wall Street Journal. Saudi Arabia is instead said to be working on a new, “more practical” renewable energy strategy.
Germany deployed nearly 2 GW of PV so far this year
In the first eight months of 2018, newly installed PV capacity in Germany totaled almost 2 GW, and is already well above the previous year’s level. New residential and commercial PV systems, with a combined capacity of nearly 241 MW, have been reported to the Federal Network Agency. In October, solar incentives will drop by another 1%.
EDP invests in off-grid solar, storage
The Portuguese utility expands its renewable energy business – traditionally dominated by wind – with a new storage station in Romania and the acquisition of a start-up, which offers off-grid home solar solutions in Bangladesh.
PPA signed for 60 MW Malawi solar project
JCM Matswani Solar Corp Limited has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi Limited (ESCOM) for a 60 MW solar PV project.
India’s SECI defers 10 GW solar auction, again
India’s much-hyped 10 GW solar auction has hit another roadblock. The state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)’s tender bids for 10 GW of ISTS-connected solar PV power projects linked with 3 GW (per annum) solar man-ufacturing capacity, has now been extended to October 12.
America’s largest PV plant comes online in Mexico
Italian energy company, Enel has announced the completion of its 828 MW Villanueva project, including the recent expansion phase, together with the completion of an additional portion of the Don José solar plant, which has now reached 260 MW. Overall, 1,089 MW of PV capacity was grid-connected through the several phases of both projects.
France assigns 230 MW in rooftop solar tender
Final prices were 5% lower than in the previous tender of the same kind. Around 40% of the selected projects were submitted by agricultural enterprises.
Brazil earmarks $0.5 billion for solar, wind
The new funds will come from Brazilian development bank, BNDES and will help small businesses, individuals and communities to implement commercial solar PV and wind power projects. Financing will be granted to projects using equipment that complies with local content requirements.
