Markets

GTM Research and SEIA’s final report on the U.S. solar market in 2017 shows both the struggle of the residential sector, as well as a larger than anticipated fall in utility-scale volumes, leading to a 30% contraction overall.

In an unexpected turn of events, two unions representing coal interests have put a halt to the signing of 27 renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs), thus effectively stopping South Africa’s renewables industry in its tracks.

Private equity firm, Gore Street Capital is planning an IPO for an investment fund focused entirely on utility-scale energy storage projects, to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. The fund already owns three storage projects in the U.K., and is seeking to raise GBP 100 million in initial investment.

Shareholders have agreed to the proposed merger of JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd with JASO Holdings and its wholly owned units, JASO Parent and JASO Acquisition, thus taking the manufacturer one step closer to privatization.

The ISA founding ceremony, held on Sunday March 11 in New Delhi, India, was a highlight in the 2018 solar calendar. French President, Emmanuel Macron announced €700 million in support through loans and donations by 2022, while several other financial deals and MoUs were also signed. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi further outlined 10 action points to help the spread of solar energy.

Eon has announced plans to take over a 76.8% stake in the German utility, RWE’s renewable energy spin-off, Innogy. The acquisition is part of a far-reaching agreement between the two, which envisages redistributing operations so that RWE focuses on the renewable energy business, while energy networks and customer solutions would be the responsibility of Eon.

Eric Luo, the recently appointed CEO at GCL-Si, met with pv magazine at the recent PV Expo in Japan to discuss the company’s Japanese and global marketing strategies, technological innovation and China’s position in the PV market in 2018.

New auctions for wind and solar projects exceeding 1 MW in size will be part of a new incentive scheme for renewable energy for the period 2018-2020, which is now under review by local authorities. In the first auction, planned for November, around 500 MW of wind and solar projects over 1 MW are expected to be assigned. The incentive scheme will also support solar and renewables up to 1 MW through specific tenders.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), now registered under the United Nations, is organizing its first summit to be held this Sunday, March 11. It is also set to host a founding ceremony of the ISA in the presence of French President, Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi President, Abdul Hamid. Government dignitaries of member countries are joining, and 51 solar projects will be signed.

U.S. President Trump has exempt Canada and Mexico from 25% import duties on steel and 10% duties on aluminum, and has further left the door open to exempting any nations with which the United States has a “security relationship”.