Renewables reach 17.8% of French electricity consumption in 2015
Frances grid operator reports that the nation has reached 6.19 GW of solar PV, enough to meet 1.6% of electricity demand.
U.S. President Obama seeks to double federal clean energy R&D spending
A proposal put forward by President Obama would increase clean energy R&D from $6.4 billion to $12.8 billion by 2021, however the budget must be agreed with the opposition Republican Party.
SMA: When storage systems pay off for commercial business
While private PV system operators work toward optimizing self-consumption, storage systems in industry are mainly used to provide control reserve and thus ensure grid stability. In commercial storage system applications, the main focus is on efficiency and a secure electricity supply. SMA experts, Volker Wachenfeld and Nick Morbach elaborate.
Singulus narrows 2015 loss, increases revenue
The German equipment supplier is strengthening its focus on the solar segment with production machinery for both thin-film and crystalline cells amidst waning sales in the optical disc segment.
Canada: Alberta introduces new solar initiative
The province has unveiled new solar funding programs aimed at municipalities and farms that offers rebates of up to $0.75 per watt. The government reports “a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and uptake for these kinds of programs.”
Heliatek raises bar for OPV efficiency to 13.2%
The German organic PV developers reveal new record conversion efficiency for an OPV multi-junction cell; measurement independently verified by Fraunhofer CSP.
Dow Corning increases net income as sales drop
U.S. silicon technology giant Dow Corning Corp. on Friday reported a 10% increase in net income last year despite a 9% drop in sales.
Earthquake in Taiwan disrupts PV production
The magnitude 6.4 earthquake that hit Taiwan Saturday disrupted PV production in the southern city of Tainan, which took the brunt of the temblor.
SMA establishes Brazil subsidiary
The German inverter specialist creates Brazil-focused arm of business to focus on the growing market’s opportunities, particularly at utility-scale; SMA Brazil will work closely with SMA South America, located in Chile.
U.S. DOE to provide $21 million to address soft costs, deployment barriers
The new funding includes US$13 million to states to support development of deployment strategies, and $8 million to speed technology evolution.
