Markets

Africa has been well and truly in the spotlight at this round of climate talks. Identifying over 11,000 GW of renewables potential, it has called for an annual energy investment of US$55 billion, annual climate financing of $11 billion, and a pledge to stop global temperatures rising above 1.5°C. The U.K. and U.S., meanwhile, have signed an MOU to improve African access to clean energy, and Canada has committed CA$150 million to the African Renewable Energy Initiative, more details of which have been acquired by pv magazine.

The EU Commission has ruled that battery storage units looking to provide primary frequency control regulation must achieve authorized maximum demand for 15 minutes, like all other power plants, instead of 30 minutes, as was being considered under a special regulation.

Taiwan’s largest solar cell maker has reported its first positive operating margin since the second quarter of 2014, as well as its highest revenues in four years.

GTM Research and SEIA’s latest report finds that the U.S. solar market dipped slightly last quarter to 1.36 GW, but the organizations are predicting that massive levels of solar will come online during the next five quarters.

Vienna-based start-up 3F Solar Technologies has developed a solar hybrid collector that combines photovoltaic and solar thermal energy panels, which the company says is ideal for single-family homes, housing projects, businesses and hotels.

Officially launched on Sunday at COP21, the Global Solar Council is expected to be based in China. The organization, Gao says, “will form a unified force representing all members that share the same goal.”

The country’s low electrification rate coupled with its high mobile phone penetration makes it ideal for innovative solutions that integrate the electrification of rural areas with renewable energy generation, storage facilities and advanced billing systems, according to Enel Green Power.

Consulting group Bridge to India welcomes increased solar deployment but warns that improved coordination between state and central governments to ensure the pace of solar tender project development can actually be achieved.

The U.S. fuel cell electric power generation company is working with the Tanzanian government and international partners to develop major solar projects in the East African country.

These resources will be channeled to BNDES’ Green Line for climate projects.