EPIA launches O&M best practice taskforce
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has launched an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) taskforce to develop best practice guidelines for the fast-growing sector. EPIA brought together stakeholders, service providers and asset managers, with the group meeting for the first time on April 23.
SunEdison considers MLP structure, announces $750M convertible notes sale
SunEdison Inc. is considering a general partnership (GP) business structure as part of a master limited partnership (MLP) to help it more effectively manage its TerraForm yieldco platforms. It has also announced its intention to sell US$750 million of convertible senior notes.
United Photovoltaics acquires 210 MW of China projects
A subsidiary of United Photovoltaics (United PV) has acquired five PV power plants in Inner Mongolia and the Zhejian Province in China from a group of development companies. United PV has paid RMB105 million (US$16.91 million) in cash for the projects from a five project development companies.
Germany: KfW subsidizes over 10,000 solar battery systems
Demand for solar power storage systems in Germany is continuing to rise, with reports that over 10,000 storage batteries for PV systems have been subsidized since 2013. Q1 2015, meanwhile, has seen a 40% YOY increase in the subsidization of such systems.
Manz records EUR6.4 million Q1 loss, remains positive for 2015
German production equipment supplier Manz AG has recorded a significant loss in Q1 2015. However, the company remains positive for its 2015 outlook with a EUR 92 million ($103.7 million) order backlog and expects revenues between EUR 320 million (US$360.5 million) and EUR 340 million ($383.1 million) for the full year.
Uruguay: Solarpack sells 26 MW PV plant to SunEdison yieldco
Solarpack has agreed to sell a 26 MW PV power plant, to be built in the Artigas Department of Uruguay, to SunEdison’s emerging markets yieldco.
Inside TSMC's 16.5% CIGS module world record
Last month Taiwanese CIGS manufacturer TSMC Solar revealed a 16.5% CIGS world record module. The record dethroned German equipment supplier Manz’s CIGS module record, which had only held the world record position for two days. TSMC Solar’s worldwide sales & marketing VP Marc Spaulding and VP for R&D Wen-Chin Lee spoke to pv magazine about the result.
Gintech plans 350 MW solar cell production in Thailand
Gintech Thailand subsidiary has been established to set up a 350 MW solar cell production line in Thailand. It is expected to commence commercial operation in the first quarter of 2016.
E.ON, Sungevity announce plans for German solar market
Germany’s E.ON has announced it will work together with U.S. start-up Sungevity in the German energy market. Details on the investment sum were not provided.
Aging UK grid harming renewable integration, says Solar Trade Association
The country’s “sclerotic” grid is holding back renewable energy, warns the solar trade body, which has called on the new government to invest in the U.K.’s power infrastructure.
