Why Europe and the US failed to capitalize on thin film solar
Is First Solar stalled in innovation and growth? Markus Beck, a thin-film solar expert and former chief technologist at First Solar, provides an industry perspective on the fate of thin-film PV in the United States.
Five bidders set to secure 490 MW in Malaysia’s third solar auction
Four bids have been lodged for 100 MW projects and fifth for a 90 MW facility, all in peninsular Malaysia, to indicate the 500 MW tender will fall short of its intended capacity. The lowest solar power price lodged is for $0.042/kWh.
India tenders for another 1.2 GW of solar capacity
Bidders can pitch for up to 300 MW of generation capacity per project with the deadline for proposals on February 4. The eighth tranche of inter-state transmission system program capacity offered by the Solar Energy Corporation of India comes with an energy price ceiling of $0.039/kWh.
Saudi Arabia launches 1.2 GW solar tender
With the third procurement round of the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Program, the Renewable Energy Project Development Office is tendering four large-scale solar projects. Successful bidders will have to include at least 17% local content in their facilities.
Solar claims all the capacity in Poland’s latest small scale renewables auction
The fourth auction held for systems with a generation capacity no larger than 1 MW saw solar secure 750 MW of projects to leave wind developers in the cold. Innogy took its first steps into Polish PV with 42 projects across three provinces.
Ireland set for a 500 MW, five-year solar pipeline
Danish developer Obton and Ireland’s Shannon Energy have promised to develop the projects within five years. Total investment is expected to be around €300 million and the companies have already acquired projects with a combined generation capacity of 150 MW.
Baywa re: ‘We want more renewables projects in Spain and Portugal’
The developer issued the appeal for developers to come forward on the peninsula after selling its second subsidy-free Spanish solar project. The seller did not reveal how much insurance company Talanx has paid for the Don Rodrigo 2 facility.
IFC to help Bangladesh with public-private solar partnerships
The lender’s private sector arm will help formulate a tendering process to identify the best suited partners for the development of PV projects in Bangladesh.
Emirate of Umm al-Quwain launches tender for 500 MW solar park
The UAE Federal Electricity and Water Authority is seeking expressions of interest to enable it to pre-select independent power producers for the project. The plant will be owned 60% by the government of Umm al-Quwain and the electricity authority, with the successful developer owning the balance.
Cape Verde kicks off 10 MW solar tender
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy has issued an expression of interest to pre-qualify developers for two 5 MW solar plants. The facilities will be on the islands of Sal and São Vicente.
