Dominion to add 990 MW of solar PV in the United States over the next five years
The U.S. utility sites the falling cost of utility-scale solar for the expanded role, and the large majority of solar plants will be located in North Carolina.
Germany adds 111 MW of solar in March
The German government will reduce FITs by 0.25% for the next months, although new additions are significantly behind the 2.5 GW annual target for solar.
New South Wales sets higher benchmark range for FIT
The Australian state’s Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has drafted recommendations for voluntary solar feed-in tariffs (FITs) for 2017-18. It has proposed a benchmark range of AU$0.116 to AU$0.146/kWh, from AU$0.055 to AU$0.072/kWh in the preceding 12-month period.
Mexico to hold third renewable energy auction in November
The Mexican government announced the timeline for the upcoming renewable energy auction. Technical bids must be submitted in September.
Ireland: interest grows in large-scale solar
Irish power utility EBS and wind specialist Bord na Móna are planning a giant solar project across three counties in the middle of Ireland. Meanwhile, large-scale PV projects with a combined capacity of 1.47 GW were submitted to the local grid operator for approval.
Downer scores EPC, O&M deal for 148 MW in Australia
Palisade Investment Partners (Palisade) and ESCO Pacific (ESCO) have selected Sydney-based Downer EDI to handle EPC duties for the A$200 million ($150.5 million) Ross River solar project in the state of Queensland.
Italy installed 84 MW of PV in first quarter 2017
The southern European country added new PV systems totaling 32.6 MW in March. Meanwhile, solar covered around 8.8% of Italy’s electricity demand last month, and 5.8% in the first three months of this year.
Mexico: government of Jalisco commissions 8 MW merchant solar plant
The PV plant is one of the country’s first merchant solar projects after the energy reform was introduced. The project’s required investment was $14 million.
Brazil assesses potential of hybrid solar-wind power plants
The assessment was conducted by Brazil’s energy agency Empresa de Pesquisa Energética (EPE). These projects are expected to be particularly suitable to regions with a low degree of grid integration.
Comtec posts $146 million net loss in 2016
The Chinese integrated solar specialist recorded a 1 billion yuan ($146 million) net loss for the 12 months to the end of December, from a loss of just CNY 434.7 million during the same period a year earlier.
