Queensland sends first green hydrogen shipment to Japan
Green hydrogen has been exported from Australia to Japan, under a trial executed by researchers from JXTG, Japan’s largest petroleum conglomerate, using Queensland University of Technology’s cutting-edge Redlands Research Facility. The Queensland government has also announced AUD 250,000 ($177,000) in funding toward the establishment of a renewable hydrogen production pilot plant.
Enel moves on 13 GW pipeline, flips 6 GW of solar+storage
Enel acquired developer Tradewind Energy’s 13 GW portfolio of wind and solar+storage projects in the United States, and then immediately sold the 6 GW solar+storage portion to Macquarie.
Mexico wants to review contracts awarded in energy auctions
The announcement was given by Manuel Bartlett, the general director of state-owned utility CFE. He also said the current prices of renewables are a lie, while also stressing that their development is a factor determining higher electricity prices.
Mega projects, mega problems
The clouds gathering over Turkey’s 1 GW solar park in Konya, the first YEKA tender, are dominating discussion among the country’s PV players. Developments surrounding the Konya tender illustrate the Turkish solar market’s challenges, as the country’s unsteady economy and its policy preference for local manufacturing appear to be acting as a brake on installations.
Philippines lowers FIT levy
The country’s energy regulator has decided to reduce the levy that finances the FIT program for renewable energy from P 0.2563/kWh to P 0.2226 ($0.004)/kWh. The lower levy is expected to go into effect next month.
Iberdrola abandons race to acquire X-Elio
With the Spanish utility out of the game, there are now only three bidders still struggling to take over the PV project developer.
Chile’s first floating PV project reaches completion
Mining giant Anglo American has installed an 84 kW floating array at a copper mine in Chile’s Valparaiso Region. The project was developed by Lenergie with the floating technology of Ciel&Terre.
Sky Holdings founder to pay $14m in arbitration
After allegedly stripping his company of assets to launch another business and failing to pay under the terms of an earlier settlement, Weili Su has been ordered to shell out nearly $14 million to three former Sky Holdings executives.
Australian government unveils $35.7m pot to power remote communities
Australia’s Coalition government has announced funding to support up to 50 off-grid and fringe-of-grid feasibility studies that will investigate whether building a microgrid is cost-effective and whether existing off-grid capabilities can be upgraded with more up-to-date technology.
Phono Solar: Module factories in the US and South America on the horizon
pv magazine recently caught up with Aaron Wu, executive vice president of Phono Solar Technology, the Nanjing-based PV manufacturer. Phono Solar is a bankable supplier, having achieved top tier status in 2014 and being part of SUMEC Group Corp., a diversified industrial group with over RMB 80 billion ($11.87 billion) in turnover in 2018.
