Markets & Policy

SunEdison’s yieldco vehicle, TerraForm Power has acquired 23 MW of solar across 48 plants totaling 34 MW from a subsidiary of Integrys Energy Group, Inc. TerraForm will pay US$45 million and assume $10 million in project debt.

Turbulent times for Hanergy follow turbulent weather for Solar Impulse, but the tumult could not derail solar’s juggernaut, which enjoyed a series of positive news stories this week.

Canadian Solar, ET Solar and ReneSola are no longer exempt from punitive trade duties, having breached the terms under the minimum price agreement framework, which had negated their tariff exemptions. EU Prosun has said they are “just the tip of the iceberg” and that the investigation must be “immediately” extended.

Yingli Green Energy has today released its eagerly anticipated Q1 2015 earnings. With a net loss of US$58.6 million, the company is not exactly in the black. The results are, nevertheless, far from apocalyptic. It has also managed to pay off $193.5 million in medium terms notes and is confident it can settle another, similar, debt this October.

In a U.S. federal lawsuit filed yesterday, June 3, SunPower Corp. has accused SunEdison Inc. of poaching over 20 employees and trade secrets between 2011 and 2014, in order to gain a competitive edge.

A survey by DNV GL of a range of participants in the MENA region’s solar markets has confirmed that Dubai and Jordan are considered the markets with the greatest short term potential. Looking beyond two years, Saudi Arabia is seen as having the highest potential, despite the slow movement in the market today.

As part of a EUR 1 billion climate action investment, Ikea has pledged to channel EUR 100 million in installing solar. Overall, EUR 600 million will go towards wind and solar projects, with the remaining EUR 400 million going to the Ikea Foundation.

As part of its expansion plans, Vivint Solar has announced it will enter the commercial and industrial solar sectors via a US$150 million investment fund. It has also partnered with a number of EPC companies.

Daimler AG has announced its entry into the stationary energy storage market. With its Mercedes-Benz branded lithium-ion batteries, it will target both industrial customers and residential applications.

The California-based tracker specialist has installed its single axis trackers at the Pacifico and Choluteca solar plants in Honduras, marking the company’s first foray into Central America.