Japan’s ENERES developing virtual power plant with 10,000 assets
The energy services firm will use software from California’s AutoGrid to develop a VPP which will draw on PV generation, energy storage and demand response technology. ENERES wants businesses to come on board and burnish their renewables credentials.
Rooftops of all Bangladeshi schools to generate solar power
Minister unveils plan to install small-scale systems on all educational buildings as part of aim to generate 10% of power from renewables by next year. The program will be privately funded, according to industry insiders.
Los Angeles seeks record sub-two cent solar power price
The city’s municipal utility is readying a 25-year power purchase agreement for 400 MWac of solar at $0.01997/kWh along with up to 200 MW/800 MWh of energy storage at $0.013/kWh.
Study examines 7.8 TW solar potential of the Belt and Road route
China’s vast continent-spanning infrastructure project could fertilize solar growth along its perimeter at considerable scale as energy demand in the countries along the route is set to surge.
India wins WTO solar dispute against US
A World Trade Organization panel has found a U.S. move to incentivize the use of domestic solar products put imported goods from India and other countries at a disadvantage.
BIPV chance for successful energy transition in European cities
With buildings responsible for 36% of EU greenhouse gas emissions and half the bloc’s energy demand, European cities will have to accelerate deployment of renewable energy and foster substantial investment in energy efficiency to become carbon neutral by 2050. A new report has found ‘solar skins’ are well positioned to help achieve that goal and multiply the contribution of rooftop solar.
GCL enters another expensive sale-and-leaseback deal
The heavily indebted poly manufacturer and project developer will receive an immediate $50 million fillip from the sale of an 80 MW solar project but will then have to pay back $76 million over ten years.
Nigeria taps mini-grids to power universities
Four Nigerian universities are in the final stages of abandoning the country’s main grid to be fully powered by mini-grids. Nigeria aims to use more mini-grid technology to power its people by tapping a $550 million World Bank loan.
ReneSola needs to sell projects as Romanian loan deadline looms
The Shanghai company’s decision to go forward as a pure play developer puts it at odds with its peers and the diminishing margins reported in its Q1 figures illustrate why it may prove to be a high-stakes gamble to bet against manufacturing.
