Total corporate funding into solar sector rose 24% in 2020
Despite a slow start and a downturn in venture capital and private equity funding, total funding saw a significant rise, including the largest amount of projects acquired in a single year to date and the largest amount of securitization financing ever in a year.
Saudi Arabia commissioned no solar projects last year
Plunging regional solar tariffs reportedly prompted attempted renegotiations of agreed solar power prices with the result the kingdom made no progress towards its renewable energy goals in 2020.
Indian reliance on polycrystalline tech production leaves it trailing China
Polycrystalline PV technology, which is seeing its market share tumble on the global stage, still dominates India’s small solar manufacturing base and is emblematic of the R&D shortfalls in the sector, according to a survey of the state of the industry.
Mini grids grant could drive 80 MW of new capacity in Africa
A new fund established by the African Development Bank could attract $650 million of private money into the sector, according to the lender.
Thai commercial solar gets a $50m uplift
Bangkok-based solar developer Constant Energy has secured a THB1.5 billion loan from TMB Bank to finance its commercial and industrial operations.
Solar among the options as Moldova gets €5m credit line
The loan will be supplied by the EBRD and includes €1.25 million of concessional lending provided by the global Green Climate Fund.
World Bank lends $200m for South African renewables
The private sector arm of the multilateral development bank has offered a $200 million credit line to Nedbank, the first commercial bank in South Africa to offer a green bond, which it did on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 2019.
GCL concern over senior notes due January 30
Investors sitting on three-year notes worth $500 million have been asked to postpone settlement for another three years and to sign away their rights to oppose the debt restructure plan which would be needed if the company defaults on the commitment, triggering a cross default.
Bangladeshi apparel makers opt for rooftop solar
More than 500 factories have registered to make their manufacturing facilities more eco friendly in the garment exporting powerhouse and the nation’s net metering rules offer an obvious step in the right direction.
Consultant plays down Chinese solar fever
The nation is set to have added 40 GW of solar in 2020 and that figure will rise again this year, to 45-50 GW, according to one of the year’s first industry predictions.
