Eelpower announces £500 million,1 GW storage plan for the UK
Eelpower Limited has acquired a 20 MW battery storage scheme from Anesco in the U.K. Overall, it plans to invest £500 million in delivering 1 GW of storage capacity by 2022.
Heraeus Photovoltaics president steps down
Andreas Liebheit, President of Heraeus Photovoltaics, has stepped down for personal reasons. He has been temporarily replaced by Raymund Chua, Head of HPT in Singapore and Head of Heraeus’ Asia-Pacific Regional Center.
Global energy investment in 2017 moved away from energy security and sustainability goals, finds IEA
Following a strong year for clean energy spending, 2017 saw a 7% decline in renewable power investment – to around $298 billion – while the share of fossil fuels in energy supply funding rose for the first time since 2014, according to the International Energy Agency in a report published today.
JA Solar exits NASDAQ exchange
Chinese module giant JA Solar has announced the completion of a merger that makes it the latest in a line of solar manufacturers to voluntarily de-list from a major stock exchange.
Eight more London boroughs sign up to mayor’s solar vision
Labour politician Sadiq Khan has expanded his Solar Together group-buying scheme for rooftop installations in London after more than 1,000 households and small businesses signed up to discounts on residential systems under the initial phase.
EU and China to co-operate on clean energy technology and emissions trading
High-ranking officials from China and the EU have signed a joint statement to foster technological and political co-operation in clean energy. The regions will also develop emissions trading systems further, with officials seeing such schemes as a policy tool to foster innovation for a low-carbon economy.
Indian government body recommends 25% tariff on Chinese and Malaysian cells, modules
Phased import tariff would fall to 20% 12 months after introduction and 15% for final six months of a proposed two-year period. Industry watchers say the cost of Indian solar energy could rise by up to 30%.
Swiss battery maker Leclanché announces debt restructuring
Biggest shareholder has acquired – and postponed payment of – a chunk of debt due last month and agreed a further debt-to-equity transfer. The Swiss company today stated further measures will be required to shore up its balance sheet.
Australia: PV sails past 7 GW – 2017 installation record set to be smashed
The extent of the rapid growth under way in the Australian PV market has been laid out in the latest report by the Australian Photovoltaic Institute. Pointing to 2018 representing “another record year for Australian PV” the outstanding growth of the utility scale segment is a particular highlight – with 1.1 GW commissioned and 1.9 GW under development.
Enviromena begins installation of 500 MW PV in Egypt, Jordan
The EPC provider, which is active in the MENA region, announced that it expects a 900 MW pipeline shortly. The company was recently acquired by U.K.-based Arjun Investment Partners and reportedly has increased its staff size by 30% this year. The company cites an increasing interest in asset diversification and good economics as reasons for MENA’s investment in solar PV.
