Solar a solution in sub-Saharan Africa, says UK minister
British International Development Minister Grant Shapps says cheaper solar panels can deliver a solar revolution to Africa, reaffirms U.K.’s commitment to aid the development of the fledgling solar market.
Indian power giant proposes 4 GW solar goal
Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), which relies on lignite and coal to deliver power to India, has ventured into the world of solar PV; 10 MW array first step towards 4 GW installation goal, chairman says.
US: Utility-scale solar averaging five cents/kWh, study finds
Report by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds that utility-scale solar project developers negotiate average PPAs of just five cents per kWh, an all-time low figure; 30% ITC helps lower costs.
JinkoSolar reaches lawsuit settlement to tune of $5.05 million
Chinese solar manufacturer enters into settlement relating to 2011 lawsuit brought over environmental regulation dispute to “eliminate uncertainty” and burden of further protracted litigation, says company.
SolarCity maintains grip on US residential solar, says GTM report
GTM Research’s U.S. PV Leaderboard finds SolarCity installed 34% of all residential array in the first half of the year, followed by Vivint at 12%; SolarCity also cornered 34% of the market in 2014.
Joint Sunpower/First Solar yieldco reports solid quarterly results
In its first quarterly results since becoming a public company, 8point3 reported strong results, in contrast to the poor stock performance for yieldcos across the board.
Amazon secures approval for 80 MW Virginia solar farm
Amazon Solar Farm U.S. East receives permit from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality; 80 MW installation to be located across 900 acres in the state’s Accomack County.
AES announces $100m solar securitization
The deal marks the sixth solar securitization in the U.S., following four from SolarCity and one from Sunrun. Notes to be secured via revenue from 1,548 solar installations across the U.S.
Japan: Thai utility eyes 100 MW plant, Mitsubishi UFJ to invest in Fukushima project
Thailand-based power producer Ratchaburi Electricity forms JV for investment in 100 MW Japan solar plant; Four lenders partner to provide loan for 53 MW solar farm in Fukushima.
Germany: IBC completes three solar parks in three months
Developer builds three turnkey solar power plants for Main-Spessart-Solar GmbH with a combined output of 10 MWp. All three connected to the grid within just three months, to be operated as community projects.
