First Solar signs PPA with Dow Inc
Dow Inc. is set to buy 75% of the annual generation from First Solar’s upcoming 200 MW Horizon Solar project in Frio County, Texas, under a 15-year power contract.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: State entity set to gain controlling vote in Jolywood as Yunnan plans 620 MW of solar
The controlling shareholders of Shenzhen-listed solar manufacturer Jolywood have agreed to sell their stakes to state-owned WJ Energy, as two more power companies revealed big plans for new capacity. NYSE-listed Daqo, meanwhile, is mulling an IPO in its homeland.
Ukraine retroactive FIT cuts far from universally accepted
They are words to chill the soul of solar project owners when uttered in relation to feed-in tariffs: retroactive FIT cuts. A Ukrainian government smarting at the cost of funding an overly successful solar incentive program appears bent on emulating the approach of governments in Spain, Italy and Czechia by reopening signed payment contracts to reset the monies paid for clean power, despite the costly lawsuits that have greeted such moves in the past.
Chief exec says 1.2 GW Omani solar project remains on track
Plans to issue a request for proposals related to the contracts to develop twin 500-600 MW solar plants in the sultanate by the end of this month appear to have slipped but the head of awarding utility the Oman Power and Water Procurement Company has reportedly stated the process is in train.
Fifteen-year PPA for 150 MW solar project in US
Plans to build the 150 MW Cabin Creek solar farm are now set to move forward, now that developer Clenera has secured a 15-year power purchase agreement with Basin Electric Power Cooperative.
Premature inverter failure – 4.2 GW of capacity will be affected this year, says analyst
U.S.-owned business intelligence firm Wood Mackenzie has attempted to evaluate the market opportunities offered by the repowering of solar projects around the world which feature inverters which are 10 years old – as well as those which will expire ahead of time.
Low-cost direct solar-to-hydrogen ambitions see the light
The road to cheap hydrogen production is riddled with potholes and energy losses. Researchers in Australia have demonstrated rethinking solar technology and skipping electrolysers could hold great promise for reaching the hydrogen holy grail.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: 3 GW of panel procurement, new PV glass capacity
Seven PV module manufacturers – including JinkoSolar, Longi and JA Solar – won supply contracts this week in a 3 GW procurement round held by China National Nuclear Corp. Flat Glass revealed plans to raise $282.6 million to expand production, while the National Energy Administration reported growth in the residential PV segment.
Trina Solar launches TrinaPro Mega ultra-high-power PV solution
As the solar industry starts to embrace ultra-high-efficiency modules, the Chinese PV heavyweight has unveiled TrinaPro Mega, the first integrated solar system in the world that incorporates 500 W+ modules.
Hungary to launch renewables auction in July
The maximum size of eligible projects has been increased from 20 MW to 50 MW. The Hungarian government aims to contract around 390 GWh of generating capacity per year, with 40h GW to be reserved for the Small PVPP category, including installations between 300 kW and 1 MW in size. It will set aside 350 GWh for the Large PVPP group, which includes projects ranging in size from 1 MW to 50 MW.
