Swedish government backs Northvolt battery plant to tune of €15m
The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK 146 million to support Northvolt Labs’ large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Västerås, Sweden. Project already secured financial backing from ABB, Vestas and Scania.
China’s Top Runner Program spurring n-type solar cell development, report finds
The Technology Top Runner Program portion of China’s push for higher-efficiency solar products sets a June 2019 grid connection deadline for 1.5 GW of next-generation PV technology; this target is poised to drive mass production of n-type cells, says EnergyTrend.
Report: Venture capitalists fall in love with battery storage
According to a report released by Mercom Capital, venture capital firms showered battery storage companies with money to the tune of US$714 million last year.
US: Trump proposes 72% cut to DOE’s clean energy research
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has asked Congress to take a machete to the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) renewable energy and energy efficiency programs to even lower levels than he proposed last year – cuts likely avoided because of Congressional incompetence.
Brazil: DGPV system prices keep falling
According to a new report published by the consultancy Greener, PV system prices for distributed generation projects fell by 24% last year in Brazil. Total turnover of DG solar, meanwhile, was R $1.47 billion (approximately US$462 million). In other news, the country has joined IRENA.
UK Capacity Market Auction results draw criticism over lack of renewables
Fossil fuel sources received the most back-up generation power capacity, according to the provisional results of the latest Capacity Market Auction, released today by the U.K.’s National Grid. The country’s Renewable Energy Agency (REA) has criticized the results, stating the government is blocking new renewable energy projects.
China’s Leoch invests in UK battery market with DBS buy-in
U.K. battery distributor, DBS and China’s Leoch create new company, DBS Leoch, to pursue new battery market opportunities. Sum of agreement undisclosed, but it is understood partnership will deliver positive sales boosts for both firms.
Slovak homeowners want more solar and storage
In the first 2018 round for solar rebates, funds were allocated in just nine minutes. More than two thirds of the selected projects included a storage solution.
Denmark’s Ørsted sets up solar and storage unit
The Danish energy group made the announcement in its latest financial results, where it stressed how its strategic transformation to a green energy company is progressing.
ECREEE launches scheme to create qualified solar workforce in West Africa
The scheme is being implemented with the support of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the German development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
