Markets & Policy

The second stage of the Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) Solar Auction has received 15 proposals. 20 MW of capacity will be funded under the government program. Meanwhile a new report has argued that rooftop photovoltaics is saving Australian electricity consumers money.

Uruguay’s Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Roberto Kreimerman, has signed a photovoltaic energy decree. The aim is to diversify the energy mix. The government will provide incentives worth US$400 million to help install 200 MW of photovoltaics.

Germany’s Federal Network Agency officially confirmed that 290 MW worth of photovoltaics were installed in March in Germany. Consequently, FITs will sink by 1.8% between May and July.

The U.K.’s Solar Trade Association has added its voice to the opposition to EU Commission trade duties on Chinese solar modules.

Eleven European companies have established the North Sea Power to Gas Platform, a joint body to explore the viability of power-to-gas in the countries surrounding the North Sea area. With this platform, the companies aim to further develop the concept of power-to-gas or P2G, for short.

U.S. wealth management company Greenbriar Capital Corp. and Canadian renewable energy firm Alterra Power Corp. have partnered to develop 100 MW of solar generation capacity in Puerto Rico.

The Indonesian government is planning to develop 36 new solar plants across the country this year, according to local media. A higher budget has also been allocated for solar development.

The European Commission (EC) has officially launched an anti-subsidy investigation into imports of solar glass from China to the EU. While a final determination could take up to 13 months, provisional duties may be applied within nine.

British Solar Renewables has secured planning permission for an 11 MW photovoltaic farm in St. Allen, Truro, in the south west of England.

Chinese solar cell and module manufacturer Hanergy Solar has announced a concerted effort to break into downstream power generation with the launch of its Hanergy Global Solar Power and Applications Group.