UK: Big brands sign letter urging government to stop solar tax hike
More than 160 NGOs, schools, companies, energy providers and public institutions sign letter addressed to U.K. Chancellor calling on halt to proposed increase in business rates for solar panels.
Australian researchers produce 12% efficient, 16cm2 perovskite PV cell
University of New South Wales engineers have achieved the highest efficiency for a perovskite PV cell of its size to date.
Gibraltar Industries to exit European solar racking business, future of Renusol unclear
The U.S.-headquartered building products manufacturer confirms it is stepping away from selling residential solar racking in Europe as it attempts to balance its books. Subsidiary Renusol could face job cuts.
India: Demonetization program could boost solar industry, says Mercom Capital
Although chaotic, the Indian government’s note recall is likely to benefit banks and distribution companies, potentially loosening lending criteria for solar projects and bringing down interest rates, Mercom Capital believes.
Canadian Solar receives $141m funding from Hanwha for Japanese solar plant
The Chinese solar firm secures project financing from the South Korean conglomerate for the construction and operation of a 55 MWp solar plant in Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture.
SMA to supply 616 MW of inverters to India’s Greenko Energies
The German inverter specialist to build on its sizable presence in the growing Indian solar market with supply of 616 MW of its 1000CP XT central inverter to Indian solar power developer Greenko Energies.
TerraForm Power gives January deadline for bids, warns shareholders about its ability to continue
The yieldco says that bidders must provide firm pricing by a defined date in January, as it allows the offer of an expedited takeover by Brookfield and Appaloosa to lapse.
Poland to hold inaugural 100 MW solar auction later this month
The first auction, to be held on December 30, will be for a total capacity of 100 MW for small, sub-1 MW installations; a further 300 MW of PV capacity will be auctioned in 2017.
Another rooftop solar boom in Australia – this time with warnings
Record low solar panel prices, combined with the ratcheting-down or removal of federal and state policy levers, are sparking a boom in Australia’s residential and commercial solar markets, while also prompting warnings to consumers to avoid the lure of cheap and nasty solar products – and installers.
Q&A with Ingeteam Power Technology
Ingeteam Power Technology’s Carlos Lezana talks to pv magazine about the company’s new three-phase inverter, explaining how it can save installers costs, while optimizing power. The Spanish company is aiming to see its inverters spread across all PV markets, including large utility-scale installations.
