Manz books $47.5 million in battery orders
German PV, battery and flat panel production equipment supplier Manz has announced EUR 40 million ($47.5 million) in lithium ion battery equipment supply deals. The details of the orders have not been revealed.
Pakistan overhauls its solar industry for the better
Government approves net metering program and introduces funding scheme allowing homeowners to borrow against their mortgage for solar installations.
Emerging markets 2015: Will Israel’s PV take off?
Despite the encouraging news coming lately from other Middle Eastern markets, Israel remains the region’s most hopeful case for solar PV development. But will Israel seriously decide to boost its photovoltaic sector in 2015? Or are we set for yet another year of generally positive installations but nothing close to what Israel could or should achieve?
US Commerce decision welcomed in China, American downstream market to benefit
Update: “In short, this is a setback for SolarWorld and a big win for the Chinese manufacturers,” says GTM Research Senior Vice President Shayle Kann.
Germany: Innotech Solar buys Energiebau
Saved from insolvency, the German solar wholesaler will now offer Innotech product while continuing to sell other PV modules. The company says it is nevertheless reducing its product portfolio in order to adapt to current market conditions.
Aquion Energy enters 1 MWh battery supply deal in Hawaii
U.S. aqueous hybrid ion battery developer and supplier Aquion Energy has entered into a supply deal with the residential community Bakken Hale, to supply a 1 MWh battery system. The battery installation will be coupled with a PV array to supply the community with 24/7 solar electricity.
California: Gov. Brown calls for 50% renewables, more PV in Golden State
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday called for the state’s electric utilities to boost their renewable energy procurements to 50% of retail electric sales and discussed future initiatives to support rooftop solar, battery storage, grid infrastructure and electric vehicles.
Australian Solar Council targets Queensland in lead up to election
Australia’s peak solar industry body has launched a campaign to put pressure on the state of Queensland’s conservative government that it claims “has been determined to shove solar where the sun doesn’t shine.” Queensland voters will head to the polls to elect a state government on January 31.
New development schemes boost solar across India
The Ministry of Defence, India Railways and the state government of Maharashtra have unveiled new policies and plans that will boost solar development throughout the country over the next five years.
Emerging markets 2015: Dubai's commercial rooftop segment target for new UAE scheme
In late December, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed passed a new resolution that could unlock the rooftop PV market in Dubai. The most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could be set to become the first major rooftop market in the region if the local utility facilitates the new regulation with the potential to jump start distributed generation in the MENA region.
