Germany: Frustration over wait for new PV storage subsidy announcement
Funding for battery storage for small solar PV systems in Germany ceased at the end of 2015. The Federal Government is said to still be working on the new program, which should start “as early as possible in 2016,” and end in 2018. When and how exactly the support will work is still anyones guess, however.
NREL, CSEM set new efficiency record for dual-junction solar cell
The U.S./Swiss collaboration has yielded a 29.8% efficient PV cell based on gallium indium phosphide and crystalline silicon layers, without concentrated sunlight.
China: Qinghai targets additional 7.1 GW of renewables in 2016
Qinghai Electric Power, the sub-company of Chinas State Grid Corporation aims to install 7.1 GW of renewable energy in 2016, the majority of which will comprise solar PV, up from the provinces cumulative capacity of 6 GW.
India to install 4.2 GW of rooftop solar under increased budget
The Indian Government has unveiled plans to install 4.2 GW of grid connected solar PV up until 2019-20 under its National Solar Mission. A budget of around US$751 million has been allocated. It is still unclear how its 40 GW 2020 rooftop target will be met, however.
CERC: Benchmark solar capital cost in India falls 28%
Indias central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) calculates the capital cost for solar PV has dropped 28% from the benchmark numbers over the last two years. Meanwhile, an initial tariff of INR 7.01/kWh has been set. The final figures are to be confirmed this March 31.
Finlands Valoe sees funding boost for back contact solar technology
Valoe Corporation, formerly known as Cencorp, has received a EUR 4 million funding boost to develop its back contact solar PV technology. The company is also confident it will soon finalize financial negotiations for its first foreign manufacturing partnership agreement.
India to benefit from Russian MOU with large-scale solar projects, manufacturing
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Russian Energy Agency (REA) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will see both large-scale solar PV projects deployed, and manufacturing facilities established, in India.
UK hits 8.4 GW of solar capacity
According to the latest figures from the U.K. Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), cumulative solar PV capacity reached 8.4 GW in November, up from just 223 MW in 2011. This represents installs totaling 3.4 GW in the first 11 months of 2015. A Q1 boom is expected, before the new FIT cuts take effect.
Amtech reports a spike in solar equipment orders
The PV equipment maker has reported $22 million in solar orders in its most recent quarter, mostly from an un-named solar cell manufacturer in Asia.
GTM Research: US energy storage BOS costs to fall 41% by 2020
The company expects significant balance of systems cost reductions for energy storage systems, and for this to help drive increased deployment.
