JA Solar to supply 100 MW of modules to Zimbabwean solar project
Chinese module manufacturer wins $179 million contract to supply 100 MW of solar panels to one of the first three large-scale PV plants in Zimbabwe.
Manz delays Capital Markets Day
German production equipment supplier Manz has postponed its Capital Markets Day, originally scheduled to take place on December 10. Manz has cited the examination of strategic options for the solar segment as the reason for the delay.
Ireland’s energy storage potential
There is a lot of talk and action regarding energy storage in Europe and the sector is actively discussing which national market will emerge most strongly. A seldom discussed but very strong case can be made for Ireland.
NEXTracker makes full BoS play with product bundle
U.S. tracker company NEXTracker launches complete package of balance of systems components, bundling tracker, DC wiring, string inverter, UPS, monitoring system and optional PV modules in one-stop-shop product.
US storage market matures on back of Duke, REC Solar and Tesla announcements
Duke Energy partnership with Green Charge Networks will bring solar-plus-storage solutions to commercial customers nationwide; Vermont utility Green Mountain Power begins offering zero-upfront-cost Tesla Powerwall to residential customers.
SunEdison and Vivint modify terms of merger
The new deal saves cash for SunEdison, and also allows Vivint to look for other offers and lifts a January deadline to close the deal.
Solar Frontier hits 22.3% on CIGS cell
Japanese CIGS producer Solar Frontier has announced a record efficiency with its technology of 22.3% on a 0.5cm x 0.5cm cell. The company claims the result as a world record for a thin film solar cell.
COP21: Africa calls for $55 billion annual energy investment, 1.5°C limit to global temperature rise
Africa has been well and truly in the spotlight at this round of climate talks. Identifying over 11,000 GW of renewables potential, it has called for an annual energy investment of US$55 billion, annual climate financing of $11 billion, and a pledge to stop global temperatures rising above 1.5°C. The U.K. and U.S., meanwhile, have signed an MOU to improve African access to clean energy, and Canada has committed CA$150 million to the African Renewable Energy Initiative, more details of which have been acquired by pv magazine.
Younicos raises $50 million for expansion
German battery storage software provider Younicos has secured $50 million in growth capital to fund its continued expansion. First Solar and Grupo ECOS are a part of the consortium of investors, including an undisclosed lead investor.
Europe: No discrimination for battery storage on primary frequency control market
The EU Commission has ruled that battery storage units looking to provide primary frequency control regulation must achieve authorized maximum demand for 15 minutes, like all other power plants, instead of 30 minutes, as was being considered under a special regulation.
