‘Exciting but scary times’ – EU PVSEC gets under way in Brussels
The EU PVSEC conference and exhibition in Brussels began this morning with presentations from key figures in PV development, who celebrated the technology’s achievements so far and predicted even bigger things in the coming years. pv magazine‘s Mark Hutchins was on hand to hear all about it.
Spain preps plan for solar, X-Elio bags 14-year PPA
New measures under preparation by the Spanish government include the setting of a calendar for new auctions, elimination of the solar tax and support for community solar and PV irrigation projects. Spanish developer X-Elio has secured a PPA for two 50 MW solar projects in the southern region of Murcia.
Chinese company to bankroll Moldova’s first big solar park
Vague on detail, the first proposal to build a ground-mounted solar plant in the eastern European country has come from China’s CCCII.
Portugal: A further 1.7 GW of PV projects under review
Portugal’s Directorate General for Energy and Geology is reviewing another big bunch of “unsubsidized” solar schemes.
Enel Green Power breaks ground on tender’s first 85 MW solar farm in Spain
The site is the first to be constructed after last year’s exercise. A total of 3.9 GW was awarded, signaling a comeback for the Spanish solar market. The president of Spain’s solar association says there is 21 GW potential projects waiting to compete in future tenders.
Turkey to launch 1 GW PV tender in January
Strong local content requirements may be embedded in the tender, according to the first draft of its rules, with selected projects required to rely on a 60% quota of modules made in Turkey. A 30 MW/ 90 MWh (AC) storage project will also be included at one of the three sites identified for the tender.
Solar all set for another record in Germany
Around 40 billion kWh of clean electricity will be generated by PV systems in Germany during the first nine months of the year. According to calculations by the German Solar Industry Association, the total generation figure from last year will soon be reached.
Total acquires EV charging station developer
As EV adoption rates pick up pace, oil companies are looking to invest in the technology to maintain their position in the transport sector. Total has moved for G2mobility, which develops interconnected EV chargers that, using a web platform, provide smart energy management services.
Akuo plans France’s largest floating solar plant
The 17 MW installation, to be located in the southern region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, is expected to begin commercial operations in March.
GCL-Poly: ‘wafer and poly prices have already started recovery’
The world’s number one poly maker claims the worst of the fall-out after Beijing’s policy change has already occurred, and will press ahead with plans to expand production capacity – but its development business may need to find new sources of funding.
