100 MW months emerge as the new normal for small-scale PV installs Down Under
Green Energy Markets’ small-scale solar figures for April reveal that above 100 MW is emerging as the new normal for monthly installations in the segment in 2018. While the month was below the record-setting 127 MW in March, April’s 109 MW indicates that installations north of 100 MW is new normal for the Australian residential and small commercial sector.
Tunisia reveals winners of 70 MW solar tender
Through the tender, the Tunisian government has awarded contracts for six 10 MW and four 1 MW projects. All have received preliminary approval from the Minister of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies, Khaled Kaddour at the beginning of May.
Puerto Rico reviews utility-scale PV projects totaling over 280 MW
Puerto Rico’s Financial Oversight and Management Board (JSF) is examining a series of infrastructure projects that, if approved, would be fast-tracked for development and construction. Some of the PV arrays included in the infrastructure round already have PPAs signed with local utility PREPA. Two include co-located storage.
United States: California wants solar PV on all new homes
The California Energy Commission is expected to approve the 2019 Building Energy Code that calls for solar PV on all new homes. The goal is net zero residential energy usage.
Etrion halves net loss in Q1
The Swiss-based power producer reported its Q1 2018 financial results. After the company ditched its Chilean project portfolio, some numbers look grim, but performance in the Japanese market appears more promising.
More care in EU PV purchasing required – Interview
Interview: In recent years, customs authorities have repeatedly conducted searches and arrests for companies circumventing the existing PV antidumping and anti-subsidy measures in Germany. In a conversation with pv magazine, legal expert Alexander Rumpf draws on personal experience to explain the current legal situation.
Italy’s Water Alliance launches €110 million tender to buy power from renewables
The purchased electricity will be used to power the companies’ purifiers, waste water lifting stations, treatment plants of drinking water, cathodic protection systems, and several offices.
China’s Sunpower Group picks up $12.5 million polysilicon equipment order
Chinese integrated energy company Sunpower Group Ltd today announced the securing of equipment supply contracts worth CNY 80 million (US$12.5 million) with Xinjiang Xinte Energy, a subsidiary of TBEA Co Ltd.
Hungary unexpectedly terminates FIT for PV projects ranging from 50 to 500 kW
The Hungarian government has amended its recently issued support scheme METAR, in order to introduce a tight deadline for residential and commercial PV, which will, in reality, mean the end of most of projects in this segment. The METAR scheme had been approved by the European Commission last summer.
India: First 1 GW tender for 5 GW solar park expected soon – Interview
The 5 GW PV park, planned for the Dholera Special Investment Region of Gujarat, will become the world’s largest project of its kind, when complete. It is expected to attract an investment of US$3.7 billion and generate employment for more than 20,000 people, says Jai Prakash Shivahare, managing director at Dholera Industrial City Development Limited. He takes time out to speak to pv magazine about the mega solar project.
