Smart meters set to disrupt the arch disrupter solar
In both Belgium and Chile, the planned mandatory installation of smart meters is raising concerns among consumers, residential PV system owners and the solar industry. Although seen as a positive, the early stages of smart meter deployment create issues related to the calculation of net metering tariffs and the management and ownership of consumption data, as well as additional costs for consumers.
Xinyi Solar completes shares issue to finance new glass capacity
The Wuhu-based solar glass maker and PV project developer expects to raise around $167 million to expand operations after diluting stock by issuing shares equivalent to just under 5% of the business.
Saudi Arabia’s 1.5 GW tender attracted more than 250 companies
More than 100 domestic companies are reportedly in the running for a seven-project portfolio that is expected to generate around $1.5 billion of investment – and they will fancy their chances against overseas developers.
Smart electrification 36% cheaper than green hydrogen in Europe
A report commissioned by the European Climate Foundation suggests a fossil fuel-free energy system in Europe by 2050 should largely rely on smart electrification and energy efficiency. Green hydrogen deployment, the report finds, would require prohibitively expensive infrastructure investment.
After a tough 2018, US solar is getting ready for a major boom
Definitive data from analyst Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association show tariffs taking a bite out of the U.S. market, but also a near-record number of new projects under contract.
Poly maker Daqo presents a blockbusting set of figures
Profits and revenues were down in a year which saw average selling prices slump – especially after the turbulence in the Chinese market – but the company’s hell-for-leather dash for production capacity expansion and aggressive cost cutting mitigated the ill effects. And there is more to come in the year ahead.
Poland’s PV capacity reaches 486.5 MW
With more than 200 MW of newly installed PV, 2018 was a record year for Polish solar. Of the nation’s total PV capacity, 339.5 MW comes from 50 kW or smaller arrays.
The blockchain club
Open-source blockchain platform Energy Web Foundation has revealed the number of its affiliates has risen from 37 to 100 in recent months. New members include EnBW, Total and a unit of the State Grid Corporation of China. The platform was conceived to create an energy-blockchain ecosystem and to accelerate the energy transition.
Manz reports higher sales and positive earnings for 2018
The PV equipment manufacturer said solar sales remained stable. Major CIGS contracts with Chinese partners Shanghai Electric Group and China Energy Investment Corporation dominated the company’s PV business.
Portugal’s EDP confirms plans to divest generation assets and invest in renewables
The utility could invest up to €7 billion in renewable energy projects up to 2022.
