Brazil eliminates import duties for cells, modules, inverters and trackers
The Brazilian government has u-turned over solar equipment import duty by introducing a measure to remove the 12% levy for 101 types of module plus some inverters and trackers. President Jair Bolsonaro had vetoed a similar proposal by the Senate and House of Representatives in November, stating it would be too costly.
Construction begins on 64 MW unsubsidized Polish solar plant
The project, set to be commissioned this year, will sell power to an unspecified industrial client under a power purchase agreement.
Two strategic Euro solar deals rumored
State-owned power company China Three Gorges is reportedly ready to offer up to €600 million for 13 solar assets owned by X-Elio in Spain while Germany’s ib vogt is up for sale, according to Reuters.
KPMG finds HK$12m of missing Panda Green deposits ended up in former CEO’s account
The stunning findings of an investigation by the auditor into RMB1,022 million paid by Panda Green for the right to develop solar projects which never materialized included confirmation by the former chief finance officer documents were drawn up after the fact.
The cost of building stronger PV systems
Scientists in the U.S. have estimated the expense of strengthening solar systems. The researchers stressed that the upfront investment needed to take 13 key measures may be outweighed by the benefits.
RES4Africa outlines one-stop-shop program to de-risk investments in African renewable energy projects
RES4Africa’s plan to offer a one-stop-shop to tap consolidate all the European sources of funding for African renewables aims to de-risk investments in large-scale renewable energy projects in the continent. The 171-page report entitled “Scaling Up Africa’s renewable power” provides an update on the “renewAfrica Initiative” launched by the RES4Africa foundation together with a range of European stakeholders one year ago.
Multilateral lenders finance Armenia’s biggest PV plant
It has been two years since Fotowatio Renewable Ventures won the bid to develop the 55 MW site and with finance finally secured, the build can go ahead.
Bangladesh to install another 40,000 free solar home systems
Time is running out for the government to achieve its goal of universal access to electricity by next year but Dhaka has doubled down by allocating $26 million for PV panels in hard-to-reach areas.
Green hydrogen to reach price parity with grey hydrogen in 2030
IHS Markit’s latest report looks at a wave of new investments in large-scale projects. Economies of scale and technological improvements, as well as renewables deployment, could make green hydrogen price-competitive with grey and blue hydrogen.
Covid-19 weekly round-up: Solar Solutions show off again but CEOs voice confidence and Spain is moving its green economic recovery up a gear
Plus, solar funding is down and Australian rooftop installers are preparing for tough times ahead as one U.S. utility has warned customers to be alert to scammers hoping to benefit from the pandemic.
