Vietnam files complaint with WTO over US solar tariffs
The Vietnamese authorities have submitted a complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to request formal consultations with Washington over its recently announced 30% tariff on crystalline silicon PV imports.
Netherlands’ solar installs top 2.7 GW
Around 700 MW of installed PV was connected to the grid in the Netherlands in 2017, according to provisional numbers provided by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Solar was also able to increase its share in the country’s power production from 1.30% in 2016, to 1.75% last year.
Oman reveals applicants of 500 MW solar tender
The Oman Power and Water Procurement Company has received 28 requests for qualification for the tendered solar PV plant, which will be located in Ibri, 300 km west of Muscat.
Construction begins on hybrid storage facility in Jamaica
The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCO) has announced the start of construction on a new hybrid storage facility set to provide spinning reserve power to the country’s grid. The project, according to JPSCO, is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and will be completed by April 2019.
Hive Energy connects 10 MW PV power plant in Turkey
U.K.-based developer, Hive Energy announced that its first project in Turkey – the 10 MW Adiyaman solar park – has begun feeding power into the country’s grid.
German researchers create ‘sunlight funnel’ to concentrate light onto solar cells
Scientists led by the University of Braunschweig have developed a new type of solar concentrator, which can concentrate light from any direction onto a small area, such as a solar panel. The researchers say that funnels can be tuned to different light wavelengths and stacked, allowing for conversion of the entire light spectrum into electricity.
Portugal issues new rules for selection of unsibisidized large-scale solar projects
The new provisions include a draw mechanism for the project selection. The results of the first draw will be announced in mid-March.
Luxembourg launches tender for solar over 500 kW
The government of Luxembourg has also adopted a new draft legislation aimed at regulating self-consumption and promoting the active role of prosumers.
Interview: There is a long positive road ahead for solar in Brazil
In an interview with pv magazine, head of the Brazilian government-run energy agency EPE, Luiz Augusto Barroso explains how the newly-implemented mechanism for power auctions was conceived for ensuring a more market-oriented approach and increasing competition. Barroso adds that the upcoming A-4 auction, which includes solar, may have a slightly bigger outcome than the auction held in December, and that the inclusion of solar in the A-6 auction, which is expected to be held in the second half of this year, is being considered.
Hungary’s oil and gas provider MOL enters solar business
The company will initially build solar facilities at three of its main industrial sites in Hungary, on currently unused areas.
