US senators call for Huawei ban in letter to energy regulator
Eleven U.S. Senators have signed a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about the threat that Huawei’s equipment poses to the nation’s energy infrastructure.
ReNew Power, South Korea’s GS E&C to build 300 MW of PV in India
The Indian developer will hold a 51% stake in the venture, with Seoul-based GS E&C taking the remainder. The capacity was awarded under Solar Energy Corp. of India’s tranche-IV auction earlier this year.
ARENA announces major research funding into end-of-life solar PV issues
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has announced AUD 15 million ($10.3 million) in research funding to investigate end-of-life issues for PV modules. Ultimately it is hoped that the research will increase solar PV efficiency while lowering costs.
Date set for Panda Green state bail-out vote
The Hong Kong-listed, Chinese state-owned solar developer is in a race against time to settle a US$350 million bond which is due to mature on January 25. The bail-out, which will be put to the vote on December 30, will leave the company a further US$125 million shy.
Solar to the fore as Athens Airport announces plan for net zero carbon ground operations by 2025
Greece’s largest international airport has set a goal to operate as a net zero carbon emitter by 2025, mainly via investing in on-site solar. Should the goal be met, the airport will be Europe’s first to rely on self-generated electricity and operate with net zero emissions.
European Investment Bank signs hydrogen investment deal
The EIB and the Hydrogen Council aim to jointly develop new ways to generate funding for hydrogen projects under the European Commission’s InnovFin Advisory program. The two parties, however, have not disclosed the financial terms of their planned collaboration.
Netherlands: Bid to exclude grid-congested areas from subsidy fails to stem solar tide
Some 7,525 renewables projects with a total generation capacity of 6,223 MW are under review by the Dutch Ministry of Economy in the second round of the SDE+ program for this year. Solar accounts for 74.7% of the submitted capacity.
Europe approves €3.2bn to support battery R&D
The European Commission has approved use of funds given by seven member states to back Europe-wide R&D projects across the lithium-ion battery value chain, with the aim of potentially unlocking an additional €5 billion in private sector investment.
Taiwanese government proposes solar tariffs of US$0.13-0.19/kWh
The draft feed-in tariff scheme should be approved by the end of the month. Payments for residential solar systems are expected to fall only 0.34% but those for utility scale solar may be reduced by 2.2%. An increase is set to be granted to projects in remote areas and also to those which rely on high-efficiency modules.
African Development Bank to lend almost €49 million for 208 MW of solar in Burkina Faso
The lender is providing the funds to support the West African country’s solar ambitions under the bank’s Desert to Power program. Several other European organizations have vowed to back the €137 million Yeleen solar project, which will encompass four sites.
