Vattenfall expands PV business in the Netherlands
The company’s Dutch unit, Nuon, has agreed to acquire three solar projects totaling 27.5 MW of capacity from Powerfield. The projects will be developed under the Netherlands’ SDE+ program, for large scale renewables.
MIP impact: EU module prices to decline by 30%, 2019 PV demand up 40%
According to IHS Markit, on the back of the decision to end the MIP in Europe, solar module prices will decline by up to 30%, while total project system costs will be “immediately” driven down. Overall, it forecasts PV demand to grow 40% in 2019.
Over 1 GW of PV, 351 MW of storage approved in Ireland
The first round of Ireland’s newly introduced Enduring Connection Policy – 1 (ECP-1), introduced at the beginning of the year, has resulted in considerable success for solar PV and battery storage, with the technologies clearly outcompeting various forms of gas-fired generation, biomass, and wind energy.
India’s SECI reduces manufacturing tender size from 5 GW to 3 GW
In a major development, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has reduced its solar manufacturing tender size from 5 GW to 3 GW, and curtailed the minimum bid capacity from 1 GW to 600 MW. The size of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), however, remains unchanged at 10 GW.
France adds 479 MW of solar in H1 2018
The French solar market grew by 59% in the first six months of this year, mainly driven by large-scale solar. Overall, the country’s cumulative installed PV power has surpassed 8.5 GW. However, it looks likely that the government’s 10.2 GW 2018 target will be missed.
Solar performance polluted by urban haze
Research conducted over several years by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) demonstrates that air pollution in cities can put a dampener on the performance of PV panels which, if not taken into account, can threaten a project’s viability.
Zambia issues RfP for 100 MW of solar
Via the tender, selected developers will be awarded 25-year PPAs for the sale of power to local utility, ZESCO.
UAE uses AI to map its solar potential
A newly created Artificial Intelligence Lab created by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment will use artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to identify concentrated solar energy locations in the Emirates.
Tunisia plans 1.7 GW solar complex
The solar park is set to be built across three phases, and will be located in Tunisia’s southernmost region of Remana, in the Sahara Desert. The project was conceived by the Tunisian Goverment to support organic farming and improve security at the border with Libya.
The weekend read: Solar’s farming synergy
With the U.K. government apparently preparing to deal another blow to solar by abolishing export payments for small-scale generators, the contribution of the country’s agricultural sector to the industry could be more important than ever.
