US will see more than 8 GW of solar come online this year
With 4.3 GW of utility-scale solar and 3.9 of distributed generation predicted, the figures collated from federal sources don’t take account of the huge capacity of solar projects waiting in the interconnection queues of seven grid operators.
Italy sets 2030 solar target of 50 GW
The Italian government has published a plan for climate and energy envisaging a central role for solar in the nation’s energy mix, with PV expected to represent more than the half the power generation capacity from renewables by the end of the next decade.
Innogy’s Dutch unit moves to buy two solar installers
Dutch energy provider Essent has agreed to take over EnergieWonen Groep and ZON7, two Netherlands-based companies specializing in the supply and installation of rooftop PV, thus enhancing Essent’s sustainable development network.
Distributed solar tops 500 MW in Brazil
According to figures from solar association ABSolar, most of the installed capacity – 371.9 MW – was installed in 2018. Commercial PV dominates with 43.2% as cheaper modules and higher electricity tariffs, combined with an extensive net metering regime, continue to fuel installation rates.
World Bank injects $100 million to support solar in Pakistan
The funds will be used to implement the Sindh Solar Energy Project, a scheme aimed at increasing solar power generation and access to electricity in Sindh province.
Netherlands a gigawatt solar market
The Dutch PV sector is expected to have grown by 1.3-1.5 GW in 2018. The growth, which marks the Netherlands’ entry into Europe’s gigawatt club, was mainly due to the connection of large-scale projects under the SDE+ program. The nation’s cumulative installed PV capacity should have surpassed 4 GW as the Dutch government prepares to reduce the SDE+ budget.
Industry offers cautious welcome as UK government guarantees export payments after all
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has proposed a replacement for the flat rate FIT payment regime that is hard to argue with, as it is linked to the actual amount of electricity exported back into the grid.
India will tender 500 GW renewable capacity by 2028
Of that colossal sum, 350 GW would be for solar. India currently has installed renewable energy capacity of 75 GW with a further 46 GW under implementation.
Iraq takes first concrete steps into solar
The United Nations Development Program wants consultants for Iraq’s PV policy, aimed at helping the Ministry of Electricity in the construction of utility-scale solar plants, as well as in the deployment of 5 MW of residential PV. Frost and Sullivan forecasts around 5 GW of solar capacity may be installed by 2028.
Ikea begins online sale of PV residential module systems in Germany
This week, the Swedish furniture giant will begin offering its PV systems throughout Germany via the internet. The company’s “Solstrale” offer has been tested in five markets and Ikea has said it is “very satisfied” with the response.
