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PV consumer systems provide new alternatives to kerosene lighting in the developing world, reports Navigant Research.

Following on its February RFP, Duke has announced that it will acquire and construct three PV plants totaling 128 MW, including the largest PV project east of the Mississippi River, and sign PPAs with another five totaling 150 MW. This will increase the existing PV capacity in North Carolina by 44%.

Following on its February 2014 RFP, Duke plans to acquire and construct three PV plants totaling 128 MW, including the largest PV project east of the Mississippi River, and sign PPAs with another five totaling 150 MW. This will increase the existing PV capacity in North Carolina by over 50%.

New research from Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE has shown that brighter skies are leading to PV system output exceeding forecasts by 5%. Fraunhofer has adjusted its forecast models accordingly.

The U.S. state of Massachusetts has proposed not setting aside any capacity in 2016 for traditional solar PV projects larger than 650 kW under the new SREC II program. The state’s solar industry warns that this will have major impacts.

As outlined in an initial draft, the ambitious program will work with state governments to set up a series of solar parks and mega-solar projects. Mercom Capital says that the announcement is good sign for solar policy under the Modi Administration, but questions remain.

Through its Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), Xcel Energy has opened the tender for projects worth 200 MW of PV capacity in Texas. Projects are to be delivered by Dec 31, 2016.

French, Swedish, Italian and Greek companies this week signed contracts to install underground and subsea cabling to connect the Cyclades to the mainland grid. The connections will boost solar project development in the isalnds.

U.S.-based sPower and the Britain’s Camborne have formed a strategic partnership to develop projects in the U.S. The firms have not said what their target in terms of MW is, but that they intend to deploy “significant capital.”

Fears have been mounting that the growth of clean technologies such as solar PV and batteries will lead to shortages in essential rare metals. These are “misguided” according to a new report by the UK Energy Research Center (UKERC) and the Energy Research Partnership (ERP).