Update: SPI buys stake in ZBB ahead of storage deal
As part of a supply agreement valued at between $80 million and $120 million, SPI will integrate ZBB Energy’s advanced energy storage systems in its PV solutions for solar markets around the globe. The Chinese solar developer will also invest $33.4 million in the U.S. company and could end up with a 54% stake in the company.
SunEdison, TerraForm finance 97 MW solar portfolio in UK
Backed by £84.6 million in financing from Germany’s Bayerische Landesbank, the companies closed financing for projects across the U.K. with the capacity to power 30,000 homes a year. EDF Energy entered signed a 15-year PPA for the generated energy. SunEdisons total interconnected capacity in Britain has reached 375 MW in just one year.
Andalay Solar narrows annual loss, increases revenue
The California company’s fourth-quarter bottom line was affected by module shipment delays caused by a labor dispute that slowed operations at West Coast ports last year. The company reports good progress in executing its new strategy of licensing its frame technology to top tier solar manufacturers.
German renewables pushing wholesale electricity further into negative territory
Wednesday saw German solar panels generate a record 27.7 GW of electricity. With more sunny weather predicted, that benchmark is expected to be short-lived.
SPI buys 30 MW of PV project development rights in Japan
In its second major global project agreement this week, SPI has picked up a raft of solar PV projects across four Japanese prefectures.
Record quarter for residential and commercial solar
Mercom solar financing report says expiry of US federal tax credit has driven segment to new high. UK and African off-grid projects also feature prominently in Q1 figures.
Court halts restart of Japanese reactors
Plans to restart two reactors in western Japan have been stopped despite green light from nuclear regulator. News comes in the wake of India’s pro-nuclear trade agreements.
Labour pledges to remove carbon from UK electricity supply
To achieve decarbonization through PV alone would require an extra 100 million panels in the next 15 years. Labour would make decarbonization by 2030 a legal requirement, if elected on May 7.
Thin film to power drones
Silent Falcon UAV will be powered by Ascent Solar cells. Drone has a range of ‘commercial, public safety and defense applications.’
Russian banks set to seize Crimean solar power plants
Update: Saddled with massive debts estimated at $870 million following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and a dramatic cut in feed-in tariffs, solar plants in the region have been unable to pay back outstanding loans and now face foreclosure.
