Argentina grants dispatch priority to three private PPAs for 26 MW of solar
The three projects will all be located in the north of the country, one of the regions with the world’s highest levels of solar irradiation.
Scatec solar reports significant growth in revenue, profits in full fiscal 2017
The Norwegian developer had 322 MW of PV projects in operation and 394 MW under construction at the end of the fourth quarter of last year.
Grupo T-Solar issues €118.4 million in bonds to refinance 11 PV projects in Spain
The Spanish solar power producer and developer has announced it will refinance 11 of its Spanish projects with its first unrated bond issuance.
Researchers double life of lithium-ion batteries by adding graphene girders
By reinforcing the anode’s structure with graphene girders, researchers at the U.K.’s University of Warwick have found an effective approach to replacing graphite in the anodes using silicon, thus boosting the capacity of lithium-ion batteries, and more than doubling lifespans.
VW-owned Scania to invest €10m in Northvolt’s battery cell manufacturing fab
The truck maker is to partner with Northvolt on developing and commercializing battery cells for use in heavy commercial vehicles.
Actis acquires SunPower’s 100 MW project in Chile
Through this operation, the U.K. investor, which already owns a 40% interest in the Javiera solar plant located in the Antofagasta region, consolidates its position in the Chilean solar market.
Taiwan to raise FIT rates for first half of 2018
The Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) today announced a 9.09% increase to FIT rates originally proposed in September for rooftop solar installations up 20 kW, in a bid to encourage further public participation in its Green Energy Roofs project.
Canadian Solar fund acquires two Japanese solar projects, raises $8.2m loan
The Japanese infrastructure arm of Canadian Solar, Canadian Solar Asset Management, has acquired ownership of two large-scale Japanese solar farms, while also taking out a loan of JPY 900 million.
SMA, Danfoss create JV to deliver solar, storage and energy management to supermarkets
The German and Danish technology firms will utilize their various expertise and platforms to help supermarket operators increase their renewable energy footprint and optimize their energy usage.
Financing PV projects in Iran remains challenging
Interview: Iran intends to build new PV and wind power plants totaling 5 GW in the coming years. The first PPAs have already been signed. Among them, Germany’s Geon secured a FIT contract for a 120 MW solar park. The company’s managing director, Sharam Roghani explains why this is only half the battle and why financing projects in Iran remains difficult. He has not found a lender yet, and time is running out.
