Ireland urges schools to avail of solar scheme before extended deadline
The Irish government is appealing to schools to apply for the second round of its solar for schools program before the March 7 deadline. More than 750 schools have been approved for funding in this phase to date.
UK closes in on 18 GW following solar deployment data update
Revised data brings annual PV additions to 1.3 GW for 2024, putting 18 GW of total deployed capacity within touching distance. However, a significant increase in deployment speed is essential to hit UK government clean energy targets for 2030.
Zimbabwean telecom company opens solar-storage tender
TelOne Zimbabwe says it is seeking bids to finance and deploy solar and lithium-ion storage projects at its exchange sites.
Serbia awards 645 MW in second renewables auction
Serbia has allocated 645 MW across 10 wind and solar projects in its second renewables auction, setting average prices at €0.0509 ($0.0533)/kWh for solar and €0.0535/kWh for wind. The government said the rates are well below market levels.
Sinovoltaics updates map of North American solar supply chain
The North American manufacturing hub has added several new producers across the PV module supply chain but analysts see continued cell, wafer, and polysilicon capacity constraints. The report is based on announcements of capacities at sites in the region producing PV modules, cells, wafers, ingots, polysilicon, and metallurgical-grade silicon.
BP slashes renewables investment, seeks new Lightsource BP partner
Oil and gas giant BP wants to sell stake in Lightsource BP just four months after completing full takeover of the renewables developer. New “strategy reset” will also cut company’s investment in energy transition by $5 billion per year.
Iberdrola launches innovation contest for PV technologies
Iberdrola, through its Perseo startup program, has partnered with the Spanish National Association of European Business and Innovation Centres (ANCES) to launch an innovation program for startups and entrepreneurs in the PV sector. One selected entry will conduct a pilot project and may scale its technology with the Spanish energy multinational.
Pexapark records 25 European PPAs for 790 MW in January
Swiss renewable energy market intelligence provider Pexapark says European developers signed 25 power purchase agreements (PPAs) for a combined 790 MW during the first month of this year.
EIP to become majority shareholder of BayWa re
Energy Infrastructure Partners (EIP) says it will become the majority shareholder of BayWa re with a €150 million ($157.4 million) investment in a 65% stake, in order to support the company’s restructuring efforts. The deal is still subject to antitrust approval.
‘Solar module prices will soon go back to over $0.12/W’
The global solar module industry is expected to regain a sustainable balance in the next six months, Yana Hryshko, head of Solar Supply Chain Research for Wood Mackenzie, told pv magazine. She explains why solar module prices may increase soon, suggesting that Tier 1 modules prices could reach $0.14-$0.15/W by the end of this year, and discusses how consolidation is materializing within the global PV industry.
