Spending less, getting more: renewables more cost-effective than ever in 2016, finds UN report
The latest Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2017 report by the UN Environment, Bloomberg New Energy Finance and the Frankfurt School-UNEP Collaborating Centre finds that while investment in clean energy fell last year, annual installations rose, revealing the cost-competitiveness of the sector.
Engie’s solar offensive embraces Algeria
The French energy giant has showed strong interest in Algeria’s 4 GW solar plan. The general director of the company has discussed plans about solar and gas with the local ministry of energy.
Brazil has 70 MW of installed solar power under net metering
In March, PV systems totaling 2.8 MW were installed in the Latin American country under the net-metering scheme.
Italian solar market expected to grow by another 1.5 GW by 2020
The Italian energy agency GSE forecasts that a further 1.5 of PV capacity will be installed by 2020. Good business opportunities are also expected to come from the storage sector.
UK: 150 MW of new solar PV each month for next 12 months, says National Grid
National Grid, the UK’s transmission system operator, and the UK Office for National Statistics published separately some interesting data regarding the country’s solar PV sector.
Four leading Taiwanese cell makers plan module JV – reports
The DigiTimes has reported that four solar cell manufacturers from Taiwan are planning to set up a 1.5 GWp module production facility in the country, led by Motech.
Germany launches new auction for 200 MW of large-scale PV
The new bidding round includes incentives for projects on agricultural and grassland areas in disadvantaged regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg for the first time.
Eneco and Mitsubishi build 48 MW battery in Germany
The storage system EnspireME is expected to become operational by the end of this year. Through an additional pilot project, surplus power from local wind plants will be managed and stored.
GCL-Poly investing $826m in construction of 60,000 MT polysilicon plant in China
The clean energy company is spending RMB 5.68 billion on the creation of the poly plant, which will comprise 40,000 tonnes of new production capacity and 20,000 tonnes of relocated capacity from the firm’s existing facility in Xuzhou.
SolarWorld wants issue of China trade practices raised during Trump-Xi talks
One of the pillars of Donald Trump’s election campaign was his pledge to protect the U.S. manufacturers from unfair competition. While it is still unclear whether he will follow through with his threats to increase import taxes on Chinese goods, SolarWorld has taken the opportunity of the historic meeting between President Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to harangue China’s solar manufacturers and call for the issue of solar dumping to be raised.
