Chinese PV Industry Brief: Arctech secures 2.3 GW tracker order in Saudi Arabia
Arctech Solar says it has signed a 2.3 GW tracker order from Saudi Arabia, where it will supply trackers designed for the region’s desert terrain and high winds.
Indonesia’s installed solar capacity surpasses 700 MW
The Institute for Essential Services Reform says Indonesia’s solar industry has faced a downturn over the past two years, but policy reforms should accelerate solar deployment in the coming years. The think tank’s latest report states that 16.92 GW of projects are currently in the pipeline across the country.
Engie commissions 2.3 MW lightweight rooftop PV system in Belgium
Installed by Engie’s Sun4business subsidiary, the C&I project features solar PV panels from Dutch manufacturer Solarge that weigh just 7 kg/m2.
BASF receives funding for world’s largest industrial heat pump
The German government has awarded a €310 million ($336 million) funding package to chemical manufacturer BASF for the construction of an industrial heat pump with a capacity of up to 500,000 metric tons of steam per year. It will use waste heat from steam crackers for CO2-free stream production.
‘Beyond keeping the lights on, solar builds community resilience’
This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Nataliia Cherepovska, communication manager at Poland’s Menlo Electric. She says that especially in Ukraine, where she comes from, solar is more than a green initiative – it’s a lifeline. “Solar-powered crucial facilities keep running even when the grid falters, ensuring critical services,” she states. “Solar energy doesn’t just power buildings – it powers hope, security, and progress.”
Nepal’s 800 MW grid-tied solar tender oversubscribed
The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has received proposals from 134 companies for a total of 3.6 GW. It says that 259 projects from 127 developers passed the technical bid evaluation and will be considered when financial proposals are opened on Oct. 22.
Western Europe sees September solar slump
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, Solcast, a DNV company, reports that low-pressure systems caused cloudier skies and reduced irradiance in Southern and Western regions in September, while areas further north and east enjoyed sunnier weather. A series of low-pressure systems centered over France led to the biggest drop in irradiance by up to 25%.
Polysilicon prices remain stable ahead of U.S. Department of Commerce’s anti-dumping ruling
In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
California farmers developing 20 GW solar-plus-storage plan
The Golden State recently signed AB 2661, granting the Westland Water District authority to develop transmission lines that will enable solar energy and storage projects on 130,000 acres of drainage-impaired farmland.
Solar corporate funding down 23% so far this year
Total corporate funding in the solar industry reached $22.3 billion in the first nine months of 2024, down 23% year on year. Mercom Capital Group says global uncertainties are affecting investor confidence, but an increase in debt financing and resilience in newly announced large-scale project funding are bright spots for the sector.
