Moldova’s new renewable energy law comes into force, solar expected to see first growth
A new renewable energy law will come into force in the Eastern European country on April 1. Solar and wind are expected to see their first development in the country after several years of almost zero-growth.
Greece installs first virtual net-metering PV; awaits ministerial approval
Greece’s first virtual net-metering PV system is installed on the rooftop of a school in Thessaloniki, the country’s second biggest city. The system is funded by Greenpeace Greece but is not yet connected to the grid, as it is waiting for a ministerial decision facilitating virtual net metering.
Afghanistan approves plan to deploy 65 MW of solar
The Afghan government has approved a plan for the deployment of 100 MW of renewable energy capacity. The plan includes 65 MW of solar tendered by the government in 2016.
Iran’s PV market expected to see strong growth over next 12 months
Between 750 MW and 800 MW of renewable energy generation capacity will be installed in Iran in the country’s current calender year. Most of this capacity will come from solar and wind. Meanwhile, the country has reached approximately 22 MW of cumulative installed solar capacity, as of the end of February 2017.
Stanford advocates ending China solar tariffs
The report led by a former Wall Street Journal editor gives national advice that mimics policies under President Obama’s energy department, but is unlikely to go anywhere under Trump.
New York City passes 100 MW of installed PV
The city is now 10% to its 2030 solar goal, but still lags well behind the rest of New York State in deployment.
Ukraine’s PV capacity tops 530.8 MW
Ukraine installed almost 100 MW of new PV systems in 2016. The country’s cumulative installed PV power reached 530.8 at the end of last year. Local agency SAEE predicts 150 MW of new PV installations for 2017, while the association UARE expects between 300 MW and 400 MW.
Neo Solar Power posts $206.9 million net loss in 2016
The Taiwanese PV cell producer partly attributed the NT$6.3 billion ($206.9 million) loss — down from a NT$139 million net profit in 2015 — to the idling of some of its production capacity in China.
Renewables helped drive 62% drop in new coal power capacity in 2016, finds report
Coal production in freefall, says new report by Greenpeace, Sierra Club and CoalSwarm, which recorded a 62% reduction in new coal power construction starts and a 48% drop in pre-construction activity last year.
PV in Slovakia is kept alive by residential segment
Slovakia has seen small amounts of PV installed over the past three years. In 2016, however, the market showed the first signs of a recovery led by the residential segment. The country reached 545 MW of installed PV power at the end of 2016.
