Turkey authorizes foreign-currency loans for already approved unlicensed PV projects
The measure is intended to reduce domestic foreign exchange exposure for investors and developers of PV projects up to 1 MW (and solar parks consisting of several 1 MW units). Prior to these new rules, only licensed PV projects exceeding 1 MW in size were granted this kind of financing.
Belgium: Flanders to allow direct lines for solar, RE starting from 2019
A new amendment to the region’s energy law allows enterprises to sell power to one other through the so-called direct line model, starting from 2019.
Lower module pricing will bolster PV deployment in India
More than 80% of India’s solar equipment requirements are met through imports from China. Against this backdrop, industry analysts see the predicted 30% lower module pricing, following China’s revised policy, as a good news for Indian PV projects.
The weekend read: Central Asia’s green horizons
Despite its huge potential in the region, solar PV has hitherto gained little traction in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, two utility-scale PV projects have been realized, and a few are in the pipeline for Uzbekistan as it begins to attract international investors. But many challenges on the policy level have yet to be overcome.
GCL-Poly cranks up its share repurchase program again
Polysilicon manufacturer has been busy repurchasing chunks of its stock, the question analysts and investors will be asking is, why?
Amount of silver needed in solar cells to be more than halved by 2028, Silver Institute says
The US-based industry association finds the amount of silver loading may fall from 130 mg per cell in 2016 to approximately 65 mg by 2028. Alternative and cheaper raw materials, such as copper and aluminum, are not expected to replace silver in commercial cell production, at least in the next decade.
Engie Brasil takes full control of unit specializing in solar DG
Through the operation, the Brazilian unit of the French energy giant strengthens its position in the local distributed generation segment.
Terra Firma moves forward with sale of Italy’s RTR
While Italian utility A2A has dropped out of the race to buy RTR; Enel, Eni and BP are reportedly shortlisted bidders for the acquisition. The Italian PV asset manager owns and operates 134 solar parks with a combined capacity of 334 MW across more than 100 municipalities in Italy.
Balkan update: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina ready for their biggest PV projects, Macedonia inaugurates first module fab
With Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, announcing a tender to build a 65 MW solar PV plant; Croatia planning a 6.5 MW solar PV installation, to be built on the Island of Cres; and Macedonia welcoming its first solar panel manufacturing plant, capable of producing 20 MW annually – it has been a busy period for the small solar markets in the Balkans.
Schletter acquisition finalized
The new shareholder obtained business operations, and shares in the German solar PV company. This transition finalizes Schletter’s financial recovery.
