France sees increasing activity for private solar PPAs
Energy cooperative Enercoop has issued a request for proposal to select renewable energy projects up to 10 MW in size for which it could award a 15 to 30-year PPA. The move is intended to attract bids for projects built without public support.
EGM vote to reduce historic battery maker’s debts
Venerable Swiss brand Leclanché is on an expansionist trail, notably in India and low-carbon shipping, but restructuring its debts will involve ceding even more control of the famous company to institutional investors.
Wind the only winner in Poland mixed energy auction for projects over 1 MW
Unlike similar auctions in France and Germany recently, in which only PV projects were selected, in Poland all the contracted power went to wind. The exercise drew prices from $41.98/MWh to $57.73/MWh, for an average $52.19/MWh.
PERC cell maker is Risen to the challenge
Chinese high-efficiency cell maker claims its 2 GW production line is churning out double-sided – front and rear passivated – PERC cells with an average efficiency of more than 22.19%, and has promised further process-driven cost reductions.
‘It’s time for politicians to deliver’
With COP24 climate change meeting looming, a German-led e-mobility and renewable energy alliance has signalled it is time for elected members to start delivering on carbon emission reductions before we pass the point of no return.
Australian opposition unveils “clean energy powerhouse” policies for 2019 election campaign
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten announced the party’s ‘all of the above’ plan for Australia’s energy sector. A ramped-up National Energy Guarantee, project auctions under a CfD structure, grid infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and a boost to battery storage all feature.
Don’t bury the problem! What a new standard means for cables in PV plants
A recent pv magazine webinar looked at how a new TÜV Rheinland standard will significantly alter the expectations of cables for direct burial at PV power plants. The high interest from participants meant there were more questions than time allowed. You can now find the responses to those that went unanswered, below.
Double blow for Indian government as mega tenders meet with apathy
Only three bidders have come forward for huge manufacturing-linked solar and solar-wind hybrid procurement exercises. The separate auctions – originally intended to drive 12.5 GW of new generation and 5 GW of manufacturing capacity – prompted figures of just 3.05 GW and 600 MW, respectively.
“We have to think about mistakes made due to excessive regulation”
The Spanish government’s zeal in reducing electricity market prices can hit investment in renewable projects, which need stability. pv magazine interviewed Antonio Delgado Rigal, a doctor in artificial intelligence and founding Partner and CEO of AleaSoft, to discuss market equilibrium, the impact on electricity prices of the measures applied and announced by the government, and the appropriate transformation of the energy model.
Japan plans abrupt FIT cut for delayed PV projects
The subsidy for solar schemes approved between 2012 and 2014, and that will be not completed by March, may be reduced to ¥21/kWh. The proposal is expected to affect projects with a combined capacity of more than 20 GW.
