STA calls on UK Government to remove tax barriers to solar
Data released this week by Britain’s Solar Trade Association shows that rooftop deployments across the country plummeted in the first quarter of 2017, after a hike in the business rates for small solar installations took effect earlier in the year.
Peru will not hold renewable energy auction in 2017
Minister of energy Gonzalo Tamayo said that Peru’s next auction will likely take place in 2018. The ministry is now reviewing several projects selected in the 2016 auction which are not being implemented.
Greenpeace: China to see $782bn investment in solar, wind, by 2030
China is set to attract as much as 5.4 trillion yuan ($782 billion) in wind and solar sector investment between 2016 and 2030, off-grid solar stands out as the most economical way to address energy poverty, and curbing carbon footprint brings further environmental and economic benefits, finds a report by Greenpeace.
Solar corporate funding activity increases by 100% in Q1, finds Mercom Capital
Total corporate funding across the global solar industry reached $3.2bn in the first quarter of the year, which is a 100% increase on Q4 2016. This rise is largely due to increased debt financing activity, said Mercom Capital Group CEO Raj Prabhu.
Heraeus reveals global recruitment drive for 100 extra staff
The German silver paste specialist is ramping up its global team to support its strategic pivot towards becoming an integrated solution provider. Majority of new hires expected to be in China, company confirms.
Saudi Arabia shortlists 27 companies for PV project
The Saudi Renewable Energy Development Office (REPDO) has announced a shortlist of 27 companies that will be invited to submit proposals for 300 MW of solar PV commissioned as part of the first round of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).
Spending less, getting more: renewables more cost-effective than ever in 2016, finds UN report
The latest Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2017 report by the UN Environment, Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre finds that while investment in clean energy fell last year, annual installations rose, revealing the cost-competitiveness of the sector.
SolarWorld wants issue of China trade practices raised during Trump-Xi talks
One of the pillars of Donald Trump’s election campaign was his pledge to protect the U.S. manufacturers from unfair competition. While it is still unclear whether he will follow through with his threats to increase import taxes on Chinese goods, SolarWorld has taken the opportunity of the historic meeting between President Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to harangue China’s solar manufacturers and call for the issue of solar dumping to be raised.
UK looking to renege on climate goals post-Brexit – reports
The British government is assessing ways to scrap pledges made to hit 2020 clean energy targets without incurring any penalties, reports Bloomberg, in a first sign of the country reneging on mandatory environmental action made under EU membership.
First Solar seeking sale of its share in yieldco 8point3 Energy
The Arizona-headquartered solar power company wants to strategically align its resources to support its new Series 6 module, and thus seeks sale of its stake in the joint SunPower yieldco. SunPower reaffirms belief that the yieldco can deliver long-term assets and growth.
