The pv magazine weekly news roundup: Oct 3-10
Storage updates, political wranglings, grid parity promises and yet more headlines for SolarCity… it’s been another busy week on pv magazine.
Russian solar expansion picks up speed
In Crimea, authorities are scrambling to bolster local renewable energy capacities in an effort to buffer a possible lack of conventional electricity, a result of Russia’s seizure of Crimea and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Low carbon energy transition could free up trilions of dollars, finds CPI
Two reports by the Climate Policy Initiative argue governments that implement policies to transition away from coal will enjoy the most cost-effective path to a low-carbon economy.
Panasonic announces launch of lithium-ion battery unit at Tesla Gigafactory
Panasonic CEO Kazuhiro Tsuga has said the corporation’s initial investment in the Gigafactory will amount to “tens of billions” of yen.
Conergy looking to buy Ontario solar projects
The solar company is shopping for individual projects and portfolios of between 100 kW and 15 MW in size, on roofs and open land, at all stages of development.
Grid restrictions could slow Japan's solar revolution
Speed of PV’s expansion placing strain on grid’s capacity to absorb solar-powered electricity, prompting five utilities to restrict grid access of new solar farms.
GCL New Energy to develop 661 MW of PV projects in China
The Chinese company is partnering with Hebei Yuanchen on a 500 MW plant in Hebei province and building 161 MW of projects in Inner Mongolia following its acquisition of Xiangdao.
'Solar Man' launches crowdfunding campaign for giga-fab and 'Solar Wonderland'
Joe Hui, the self-styled “Solar Man,” has launched a crowdfunding campaign to construct a GW-scale manufacturing facility and “energy amusement park” in Arizona. Hui’s company Monarch Power manufacturers Lotus solar products, which include a 2.4 kW portable solar flower and combined PV and solar thermal awning.
SolarCity introduces solar loans to eight states
Solar lease provider SolarCity has announced that it will introduce a solar loan product in the U.S. In a unique approach, customers will pay off the loan in a similar fashion to how they would a lease, in that customers will pay for the kWh produced by the solar array.
IHS: 45.4 GW of solar to be added globally in 2014
Solar industry analysts IHS has revised down its 2014 installed capacity forecast by 1.5 GW, despite a strong Q4. The 45.4 GW to be added for the year will represent a 20% growth on 2013.
