India imposes 25% safeguard duty on solar imports
The Indian government has imposed a safeguard duty of 25% on solar imports from China and Malaysia for two years. The Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) levied the duty based on the final recommendations proposed by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). While most industry players are dismayed, believing project costs could “immediately” go up by 15%, others are more optimistic.
Repsol, Enagás join forces to produce hydrogen from solar energy
Two months after announcing its intention to turn to renewables, the Spanish oil giant has for the first time formed a technological tie-up that integrates a partner into the company’s value chain.
SunPower to shift IBC solar production to new technology
The PV maker plans to shift its 800 MW of E-Series production to its new NGT technology, as it records a massive loss on depreciation of its old equipment. The move was revealed in second-quarter figures featuring plenty of red ink.
UK based scientists demonstrate ‘charge funnels’ to boost solar efficiency
A team of researchers from the University of Exeter has demonstrated a technique which creates ‘charge funnels’ within certain semiconductor materials. The researchers state that the technique could eventually lead to the development of PV cells with better than 60% efficiency.
France reports record share of renewables for Q2 2018
According to French grid operator RTE, it is the first time since the 1960’s that renewables have reached a similar share in the country’s power mix. Solar, wind and bioenergies contributed by covering around 10% of national demand.
India: Uttar Pradesh cancels 1 GW projects due to high tariff
Citing high tariff of INR 3.48 ($0.050)/kWh as untenable, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has cancelled the recent auction for the development of 1 GW grid-connected solar PV projects across the state.
Tages Helios obtains €425 million financing
The Italian fund will use the money to refinance its current PV plant portfolio consisting of 101 MW of facilities, and to finance further acquisitions planned by the end of this year.
Work never stops for big solar parks in Spain
The Balearic Islands have decided to fast-track a 42 MW solar project, which would raise the three island’s total installed generations by one third. Iberdrola has secured a PPA for its 391 MW Nuñez de Balboa projects. Moreover, several other PV projects have obtained approval from regional authorities.
Germany’s Brandenburg launches home storage incentive program
Starting from now, subsidies for up to 1,000 residential solar-plus-storage systems can be requested from the Investment Bank of Brandenburg.
EU commits €578 million for Iberian-EU energy market integration
Spain, Portugal, France and the European Commission have signed a deal to increase the capacity of the energy interconnection between the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. Currently, the interconnection capacity is 6,000 MW and, thus, far from the 15% goal set in 2015.
