U.S. OPIC under investigation for loans to Chilean solar projects
An internal U.S. government watchdog is looking at the loans which kick-started large-scale solar in Chile, after at least three of five solar projects have made moves to restructure these loans.
Russia launches 1.9 GW auction for solar, wind and hydropower
Monday was the first day of applications submission. Projects selected in the tender must be commissioned between 2018 and 2022.
Intersolar Europe: Global solar market could grow 80 GW in 2017, Europe by 8 GW, says SolarPower Europe
In latest Global Market Outlook unveiled today at the Intersolar Europe Conference, SolarPower Europe projects 80 GW of new capacity, beating 2016’s record 76.6 GW figure. European market may grow this year.
Morocco: government-run agency Masen authorized to buy minority stake in 170 MW NOOR PV I project
A unit of the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen) was allowed to acquire an interest of up to 25% in six special purpose companies owning the project’s three photovoltaic plants.
Argentina plans 1 GW solar + storage project
Following on the progress of 300 MW of solar projects in Cauchari, the province of Jujuy has announced another gigawatt of solar PV to be installed in the northern region.
Solar’s share of India electricity output grew 81% in last fiscal year
Data from the Central Electricity Authority shows that electricity from solar jumped 81% year-over-year in fiscal year 2016-17 to reach ~13.5 billion units, reports Mercom Capital Group.
IEEFA report: NTPC plays central role in India’s energy transition
One of the top 10 coal-fired power generators in the world, Indian energy conglomerate NTPC is today leading the charge in the country’s energy market transformation, finds report.
Quality Roundtable: Rain in the box
Quality issues: A solar power plant investor finds out that neither the warranty of the EPC, nor the warranty of the module manufacturer, was adequate. It would be good to clarify in advance what should happen in the event of a serial defect, and how the term “serial defect” should be defined at all.
Portugal: renewable energy sector wants first auction for large-scale solar and wind
Portugal’s renewable energy association Apren said that Spain has paved the way for further development of renewables on the Iberian Peninsula with its recent 3 GW auction, and that a similar tender is needed to revive the country’s solar and wind power sector.
APVIA sees steady Q1 growth in Asian PV
The expansion of the Asian solar market in the first quarter of 2017 was broadly similar to the growth seen in the first quarter of last year, although most countries in the region have yet to reveal official installation statistics for the January-March period, the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA) said in a new report.
