Japan: Kumamoto Electric pushes PV-powered cryptocurrency unit as potential curtailment solution
Kumamoto Electric Power, a Japanese power producer and retailer, has launched a new cryptocurrency-mining subsidiary that will primarily draw electricity from solar PV arrays.
Interview: Solar DG will keep growing in Spain, but clear rules are needed
In an interview with pv magazine, the general manager of Madrid-based solar association UNEF, José Donoso discusses the recent trajectory of solar distributed generation in Spain, while pointing out the necessary actions needed to enable further growth.
Municipal bonds may help India achieve its 40 GW rooftop solar target
Although the development of rooftop solar is not progressing in India as planned by the government, a group of international experts is suggesting using municipal financing to raise debt availability, and reduce PV system costs.
Sweden to remove building permit for rooftop PV
The Swedish government is proposing to simplify the building system regulatory framework, in order to enable more residential and commercial solar to come online.
Mexico’s Telmex enters solar business
The Mexican telecommunication giant, which is owned by Mexico’s richest man, Carlos Slim, has begun offering solar panels to its clients paying high energy bills.
Renewables to drive economic growth in SE Asia — IRENA
The 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are on track to make solar and other renewables account for 23% of the region’s total primary energy supply (TPES) by 2025, but governments will need to create better policy and investment frameworks to make it happen, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
TEPCO reaffirms renewables commitment, vows to expand globally
The head of Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has said that the Japanese company remains committed to renewables development, and has vowed to expand the regional utility’s business beyond its home market in the coming years.
State Grid of China’s offer to acquire Brazil’s CPFL Renovaveis judged too low
The renewable energy unit of the Brazilian power distributor, CPFL Energia is the largest shareholder in the country’s distributed solar energy business. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) from the Chinese utility, however, has been deemed too low by the Brazilian securities market authority.
Solar Frontier posts $73 million operating loss in 2017
Japanese thin film PV manufacturer, Solar Frontier has posted an operating loss of JPY 7.8 billion (US$73.2 million) for 2017, as it continues to rejig its business strategy and consolidate production in Japan.
Spain’s Balearic Islands proposes ambitious 100% renewable energy law
Blasting the Spanish Government for its lack of renewables action, the Balearic Government has today issued an ambitious Climate Change Law designed to kick start a renewable energy transition on the four islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Overall, it aims to cover 100% of energy demand with renewables by 2050. 230 MW of solar PV are alerady in the pipeline.
