London: Europe’s next wave of solar needs to be smart
Solar power is at the forefront of a smarter energy sector, but to enable a new wave of PV installations in Europe, solar needs new regulatory frameworks that value flexibility, says the Smart Energy UK and Europe conference in London.
The pv magazine weekly news digest
The solar big guns were out in force this week as changes to the U.S. net metering landscape rolled into Nevada. Elsewhere, China proved its PV prowess, Japan saw a shakeup and Germany confirmed its relative demise.
Toshiba reorganizing to focus on energy, storage amid major losses
Toshibas latest earnings results show catastrophic losses for the Japanese electronics conglomerate, which are forecast to hit US$6 billion for the FY 2015. Its recent accounting scandal has forced it into restructuring. More emphasis will be placed on its energy and storage businesses, despite these segments also suffering sales declines.
US: Cumulative solar installs top 28 GW, 16 GW of renewables installed in 2015
According to a new study by BNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, cumulative solar capacity in the U.S. has reached 28 GW, of which 7.3 GW was installed in 2015. Overall, last year saw 16 GW of renewables added, outstripping fossil fuels for a second year. Energy productivity is also growing, while prices remain stable. Investment, particularly in solar, is also on the rise.
Indias Karnataka plans for 3 GW of solar
Three GW of new solar PV projects have been announced for the Indian state of Karnataka. The government has approved a 2 GW plant by Karnataka Solar Power Development Corp. Ltd, while Adani is said to be planning a 1 GW project.
Total secures stake in Off Grid Electric and Powerhive
The French energy giant leverages its $150 million Total Energy Ventures fund to secure stakes of no more than 15% in the two off-grid and microgrid startups.
UK solar firms challenge government subsidy cuts in appeal court
Solarcentury and Lark Energy take case against government’s early closure of the Renewable Obligation scheme to court of appeal; government defends stance on claims its decision was grossly unfair.
Expert analysis: Back in black: SolarWorld provides optimistic outlook for 2016
On February 1, Solarworld published its preliminary business figures for 2015 and provided an optimistic outlook for 2016. Industry expert and Smart Solar Consulting CEO Götz Fischbeck delivers his analysis on SolarWorlds immediate upturn in fortunes and outlook.
Moody's: green bonds could top $50bn this year on post-COP21 surge
Ratings agency expects momentum from the Paris Agreement to motivate additional and repeat issuance of green bonds on a global scale, building on dramatic spike recorded in Q4 2015.
Teslas Musk confirms Powerwall 2.0 is on the way
Elon Musk has confirmed Tesla will bring out a new version of its Powerwall home energy storage battery system this summer. While “step changes” can be expected, he declined to elaborate on the new product.
