Solar installations see an unprecedented boom in Estonia
The Baltic nation installed 90 MW of PV last year, four times more than it had done since it began adopting solar. The growth was down to a new regulation issued by the government in June and the big push came mainly from small installations.
State-owned lenders will stump up cash to bail out developer Panda Green
With a $3bn debt pile, gearing of 73.1% and $127m due for repayment in around three months’ time, the directors of the former United PV Group want shareholders to dilute their investment by issuing shares worth more than 40% of an enlarged company, with a chunk of the proceeds coming from public funds.
First private PPA for utility-scale solar in Egypt is signed
The 25-year agreement relates to a 6 MW solar plant that will meet up to 4% of the electricity demand of a facility owned by the Arabian Cement Company, in Egypt’s Suez governorate. The project is being financed by local bank QNB AlAhli under the EBRD’s Green Economy Program.
New York governor’s Green New Deal starts with 1 GW of large-scale solar
The state has also awarded 614 MW of wind, and three of the 20 renewable energy projects commissioned are paired with energy storage. NextEra, Invenergy and EDF are each set to build solar projects larger than 100 MW.
EU approves France’s plan to replace nuclear plant with 300 MW of PV
The European Commission said the subsidy scheme to be adopted for the project is in line with the EU state aid rules. The 40-year old Fessenheim nuclear plant has faced several safety issues over the decades.
The weekend read: Why are we not making the most out of big data analysis?
Although the solar industry sees itself as young, its assets are aging. Owners still struggle with the complexity of making the best use of big data analysis to improve plant efficiency and profitability. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt, of Everoze, examines why this has not changed, and what can or should be improved. Artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, automated assessments and smart monitoring software – holistic solar asset management starts here.
11.7 MW of bifacial solar goes online in the Netherlands
The panels were provided by Chinese manufacturer Jolywood, which claims the Zonnepark Rilland project is the first utility-scale solar plant built with n-type bifacial modules in Europe.
Middle East solar pioneers have their efforts recognized
DEWA projects featured strongly in this year’s accolades but there was also recognition for projects beyond the region and some eye-catching innovations.
Univergy to install 400 MW of solar in northwestern Spain
The Spanish-Japanese developer wants to build two plants in the municipalities of Grijota and Herrera de Pisuerga, in the province of Palencia.
Nepal wants more hybrid wind-solar and needs information on prices
Through three tenders, Nepal’s Alternative Energy Promotion Center is increasing efforts to bring power to rural communities, and to increase the share of renewables in a nation still dominated by hydropower.
