The weekend read: Signs of life
European markets: Growth in solar installations returned to European shores in 2017, with some of the usual suspects posting big numbers, and several new players awakening to the possibilities of PV. Here, pv magazine provides an overview of the latest movements on the continent.
Is SoftBank’s $100 billion investment in Indian solar realistic?
While news of Japan’s SoftBank announcing up to USD 60-100 billion investment in India’s solar PV power generation is creating ripples across the industry circles, industry analysts feel that the committment sounds unrealistic in view of India’s current PV market status and future needs.
India saw more utility-scale PV tenders in Q1 2018 than in entire 2017 – Bridge To India
India saw the issuance of 13 new utility-scale solar PV tenders totaling 11,945 MW in the quarter ending March 31, 2018, which is 68% more than in the entire of 2017. However, tender capacity for rooftop solar PV (greater than 1 MW in size) was down 50%, at 102 MW.
US could slap additional 25% tariffs on Chinese cells, modules
The new round of IT-related tariffs could make it more expensive for any manufacturers planning to import cells from China for module production in the United States.
Schletter to be acquired by investors, closing financial recovery
With the acquisition by Golden Square Capital, the Germany-based PV company can finalize the plans to improve its financial status. Providing a two-digit million figure, the investor ensures that product and business development units can improve their activity in the future. Yet, cutting jobs in Germany is inevitable.
Four key solar takeaways from Spain’s Genera 2018
Genera 2018, held this June 13 to 15 in Madrid, Spain, set the scene for a market that is once again on track to become Europe’s solar leader. This year, reflecting this positive progress, the Spanish renewable energy fair saw the share of solar exhibitors increase over previous years. While this transition year is not expected to record strong solar growth, 2019 could realistically see the installation of 3 GW. Read on to discover the four key takeaways from this year’s event.
GE commissions inverters for 96 MW in Japan
GE has finished installing 50 units of its 1.26 MW Brilliance inverters at a 96.2 MW (DC) solar project in southwestern Japan’s Miyazaki prefecture.
2018 global PV market to see negative growth following China backtrack
Global solar PV demand this year will be less than in 2017, on the back of China’s latest policy decision, says TrendForce. Overall, it sees new installs dropping 40% in China to 31.6 GW. The protectionist measures taken by the U.S. will also be weakened by the resulting falling module prices.
The EU agrees on 32% renewable target by 2030 after all-night negotiations
The EU Commission, Council and Parliament have been in trialogue negotiations to broker a deal on the revised Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), the first version of which was adopted in 2009. By 3:30am this morning, a deal was finally brokered and legislative processes for official adoption are now just a formality
Tesla to lay off 9% of workforce, quit Home Depot
The company will return to selling solar primarily through its stores and online.
