DEWA completes 200 MW phase II of 1 GW Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
Construction on phase II of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is now finalized. The 200 MW unit of the 1 GW solar park came online a month ahead of schedule. DEWA revealed the plant was built at a cost of 1.2 billion AED ($326.7 million).
RMI calls for ‘action’ on Africa’s PV minigrid market
Solar-powered minigrids could account for a greater slice of sub-Saharan Africa’s $740 million off-grid market, but progress is still needed throughout the region in terms of policy, financing and commercial services, the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) says in a new report.
Eni, Sonatrach start construction on 10 MW PV plant in Algeria
Italian oil producer Eni and Sonatrach — an Algerian state-owned company that specializes in the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources — have broken ground on a 10 MW solar facility in southern Algeria.
Namibia publishes tariffs for net-metering
Namibia’s Electricity Control Board (ECB) has announced the new rates applicable to PV systems installed under the government’s net-metering scheme. The new mechanism was introduced by the government in November 2016. PV projects up to 500 kVa can be developed under the scheme.
“Skinny Budget” nukes U.S. renewable energy research
President Trump’s Department of Energy hit list includes advanced energy research, loan guarantees and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
South Africa’s PV capacity reaches 1.47 GW, new PV installations for 2016 total 509 MW
The South African solar market registered 509 MW of new PV installations in 2016. The country’s cumulative PV capacity reached 1.47 GW as of the end of December. Meanwhile, the price of solar power has dropped significantly over the past five years.
Four more Chinese solar manufacturers withdraw from minimum price agreement
Jetion Solar, Hareon Solar and GCL Technology requested to withdraw from the minimum price agreement in October. The three companies, as well as Talesun Solar, are now excluded by Brussels from the undertaking.
Solar demand is boosting silver prices, says Silver Institute
Two different reports highlight how PV demand is currently improving silver’s industrial offtake. The Silver Institute says that prices have increased 9% since the beginning of this year, while ETF Securities says that mining capital expenditure and investments are declining, and that this could further weigh on silver supply.
Brasil’s BNDES finances renewable energy projects for isolated systems in Amazonas
Projects selected in an upcoming auction will have access to a financing scheme of the Climate Fund (Fundo Clima) managed by BNDES
“We should work all together for the future of energy”
Interview: SolarPower Europe has appointed Wacker Chemie’s Christian Westermeier as new president. pv magazine spoke with the outgoing president Oliver Schäfer about the reasons behind his unexpected resignation and the future of PV and the energy market in Europe.
