Global investments in small-scale solar rise 16% in Q1, one of few sectors to buck downward trend, finds BNEF
New quarterly figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) show that investments in solar PV arrays of less than 1 MW hit US$14.3 billion worldwide in Q1 against 10% year-on-year contraction in global renewable investments.
Researchers in Finland develop improved aging test for perovskites
Scientists led by Aalto University in Finland have developed new ways to test perovskite and dye sensitized solar cells for aging, using fast, low threshold photography.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners raises €3.5 billion for renewables
The Danish investment firm will use the funds to finance wind, solar, biomass and geothermal projects across several markets. The final close of the fund exceeded its end goal by €500 million.
GCL-Poly creates JV to build new 20 GW mono ingot fab in China
The Chinese solar energy firm announces details of joint venture with the Qujing Municipal Government in China to build a 20 GW monocrystalline ingot facility in Qujing.
SolarWorld keeps shipping modules
Production is ongoing, despite the solar PV manufacturer’s recently announced insolvency proceedings. Starting this week, solar modules will be delivered to customers in France, Kuwait, Japan, Sri Lanka and Germany. SolarWorld is also seeking new investors.
EBRD helps Morocco assess its renewable energy injection capacity
The international financial institution is assisting the grid operator of the Northern African country, ONEE, in evaluating the current capacity of its very high voltage (VH) and high voltage (HV) networks to absorb additional power from renewables.
Belgium: Flemish government to improve conditions for “direct lines” for renewables
Flanders’ Ministry of Energy intends to make it easier for renewable energy suppliers to sell power to a final customer through a direct connection. This is expected to encourage industrial customers and public entities to increase consumption from clean energy sources.
World Bank Group offers $18 million guarantee to PV projects in Namibia
World Bank Group has announced that, through its subsidiary Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), it will provide up to US$18 million in support of two 5 MW PV power plants to be constructed in Namibia.
Bentley Motors to install UK’s largest solar car port
The 2.7 MW installation will be located at the luxury car maker’s factory headquarters in Crewe, England, and will meet 24% of the site’s electrical energy requirements.
Renewables set to lower UK’s summer demand for grid electricity, says National Grid
Rise in small scale solar contributing towards new trend of falling summertime peak transmission system demand on U.K. grid, says outlook report. Inflexibile gas and nuclear plants may be curtailed to make way for solar and wind.
