Recent trade conflicts to reduce India’s total solar installed capacity to 6 GW in 2018
According to Bridge to India’s ‘India Solar Compass’ report, new capacity additions in 2017 totaled 9,255 MW, up 94% on 2016. However, Q4 2017 was slow in terms of project commissioning with just 1,503 MW of utility-scale projects commissioned. Moreover, execution costs have increased by around 18% in just six months.
2017 Polish residential PV grew by 81.3 MW
The residential segment saw an increase of 26% in new installations last year, with net metering continuing to drive the market.
Japan: Kumamoto Electric pushes PV-powered cryptocurrency unit as potential curtailment solution
Kumamoto Electric Power, a Japanese power producer and retailer, has launched a new cryptocurrency-mining subsidiary that will primarily draw electricity from solar PV arrays.
Vietnam files complaint with WTO over US solar tariffs
The Vietnamese authorities have submitted a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to request formal consultations with Washington over its recently announced 30% tariff on crystalline silicon PV imports.
Netherlands’ solar installs top 2.7 GW
Around 700 MW of installed PV was connected to the grid in the Netherlands in 2017, according to provisional numbers provided by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Solar was also able to increase its share in the country’s power production from 1.30% in 2016, to 1.75% last year.
Portugal issues new rules for selection of unsibisidized large-scale solar projects
The new provisions include a draw mechanism for the project selection. The results of the first draw will be announced in mid-March.
Interview: There is a long positive road ahead for solar in Brazil
In an interview with pv magazine, head of the Brazilian government-run energy agency EPE, Luiz Augusto Barroso explains how the newly-implemented mechanism for power auctions was conceived for ensuring a more market-oriented approach and increasing competition. Barroso adds that the upcoming A-4 auction, which includes solar, may have a slightly bigger outcome than the auction held in December, and that the inclusion of solar in the A-6 auction, which is expected to be held in the second half of this year, is being considered.
Trump’s steel, aluminum tariffs to increase solar costs
The U.S. President has announced a 25% tariff on imported steel and 10% on aluminum. While the details remain unclear, this will inevitably raise prices for solar PV installations.
Belgium sets record for power production from solar
On February 25, Belgium recorded the maximum amount of electricity produced by solar PV. Overall, it acounted for an impressive 21% of the country’s electricity consumption.
Brazil prepares to join ISA, reaches 200 MW of solar DG
Twenty countries, including Brazil, have already ratified their alliance with the organization. For the executive president of ABSOLAR, the initiative will represent a strategic step to position Brazil as a main player in the international solar PV sector. Meanwhile, the cumulative installed capacity of DGPV system connected to the Brazilian grid has reached 200 MW.
