Brazil to launch first solar auctions
Brazil’s solar market will register a new milestone with the first unregulated commercial auction of solar power, planned for August 9 by Bioenergy, a Sao Paulo-based renewable energy developer and marketer.
Texas: New agreement will see 400 MW installed, solar manufacturing facilities built
Updated: Under a new agreement between OCI Solar Power and CPS Energy, 400 MW of solar power will be installed in San Antonio, Texas, and photovoltaic module component manufacturing facilities established. A spokesperson for CPS Energy reveals more details to pv magazine.
Grid-connected renewable energy storage project launched in Europe
A 39 megawatt-hour grid connected renewable energy storage project has been launched in Europe by a consortium of seven partners.
Australia: 750,000 homes install 1.7 GW
In another sign of the steady growth in the Australian solar market, figures released today show that more than 750,000 homes now feature photovoltaic arrays. This brings cumulative capacity, on residential rooftops, to 1.7 GW.
China considers raising PV target to over 25 GW
According to industry analyst, Jefferies, China is mulling the possibility of again raising its 2015 photovoltaic target to over 25 GW. Meanwhile, it says feed-in tariff troubles have arisen, which may affect internal rates of return (IRRs), and that a state owned enterprise merger could be on the cards for LDK Solar.
First Solar receives Ex-Im bank boost
The U.S. Export-Import bank has authorized two loans worth US$57.3 million to support the development of three photovoltaic power plants in India, which will use First Solar thin film modules.
Australia: Infigen to build PV integrated energy storage demonstration project
Infigen has begun work on a one MW photovoltaic and energy storage plant in Australias New South Wales. A first for both the company and the country, the demonstration project aims to pave the way for future utility-scale projects.
PV module price declines ease
Due to improved demand, photovoltaic module price declines are expected to ease slightly in the second half (2H) of 2012. Meanwhile, global installations are forecast to reach 30.2 GW this year. Overcapacity is still a dominant theme, however.
Is Italys Conto Energia V pointless?
On July 12, Italy reached its 6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff funding limit. On Friday 13, the energy agencys official counter showed just under 6 billion worth of funding for plants. By Monday 16, it was sitting at 6.06 billion. If the funds continue to be consumed at this rate, the money allocated for the Conto Energia V will be used up before the end of August.
Ontario: Northland closes financing on 60 MW of PV
Northland Power Inc. has closed $227 million worth of financing for 60 MW of its 130 MW photovoltaic project portfolio in Ontario, Canada.
