Germany likely to see storage subsidies on May 1
German state bank KfW says it is ready to start support of storage systems for photovoltaic systems in early May. The green light is, however, still to come from Germanys Federal Environment Ministry in Berlin.
Manz receives 4.5 million Li-ion battery order
France-based battery manufacturer Saft has ordered 4.5 million worth of Li-ion battery cell equipment from Germanys Manz.
NADB and SunEdison close $35 million loan for 16 MW PV park
The North American Development Bank (NADB) has agreed to loan SunEdison US$35 million for the construction of the U.S. solar companys 16 MW (DC) photovoltaic park in Arizona.
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.
Italy: PV generation decreased 14.6% in March
While photovoltaic energy generation in Italy decreased 14.6% last month, wind and hydro-electric power both recorded a significant boost, reports Terna. Meanwhile, at 6.6 billion, solar funding is nearing its limit.
Portugal: Renewables supply 70% of power in Q1
Seventy percent of Portugal’s power generation came from renewable energies, mainly hydroelectric power and wind energy, in Q1 2013, according to the country’s grid operator, Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN). Despite this record, photovoltaic energy still fails to have significant presence in the energy mix.
Turkey: 2013 a critical year for solar energy development
2013 is expected to be a pivotal year for the Turkish solar industry, as the countrys Energy Market Regulatory Authority gears up to distribute PV production licenses for projects larger than 1 MW. Meanwhile, cumulative capacity is expected to surpass 4 GW by 2017.
US installs 537 MW of large-scale solar projects in Q1
A total of 537 MW of new large-scale photovoltaic capacity was added in the first quarter of 2013, according to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
First Solar stock surges on major announcements
U.S. thin film manufacturer and project developer First Solar has taken what appears to be a major leap forward, as its share price soared on the back of 2013 financial guidance, an acquisition announcement and a major efficiency improvement.
UK: Martifer Solar completes 28.1 MWp PV project
Portugal-based Martifer Solar has commissioned a 28.1 MWp photovoltaic project in the U.K. Spread across a number of systems, construction was completed in 15 weeks.
