Update: SPI buys stake in ZBB ahead of storage deal
As part of a supply agreement valued at between $80 million and $120 million, SPI will integrate ZBB Energy’s advanced energy storage systems in its PV solutions for solar markets around the globe. The Chinese solar developer will also invest $33.4 million in the U.S. company and could end up with a 54% stake in the company.
From the Mag: A selection of stories from the April issue
April’s issue explores in-depth the solar manufacturing markets of Latin America, takes Turkey to task over its bureaucracy and red tape, and examines the organic PV opportunities being created by the Rotrot project.
SunEdison, TerraForm finance 97 MW solar portfolio in UK
Backed by £84.6 million in financing from Germany’s Bayerische Landesbank, the companies closed financing for projects across the U.K. with the capacity to power 30,000 homes a year. EDF Energy entered signed a 15-year PPA for the generated energy. SunEdisons total interconnected capacity in Britain has reached 375 MW in just one year.
Andalay Solar narrows annual loss, increases revenue
The California company’s fourth-quarter bottom line was affected by module shipment delays caused by a labor dispute that slowed operations at West Coast ports last year. The company reports good progress in executing its new strategy of licensing its frame technology to top tier solar manufacturers.
NRG bundles solar and water control system for California
Offering to be rolled out in regions ravaged by drought, bundling NRG Home’s solar system with the Rachio Iro water controller, which is designed to help homeowners preserve water.
China: Cumulative installed PV topped 33 GW in March
New installation completed in the first quarter of 2015 accounted for 5.05 GW. Eight provinces currently boast a cumulative PV capacity of more than 1 GW.
SEIA rejects call for ITC phase down
A report from Stanford Graduate School of Business has called for the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) to be phased down, to see it reduced gradually to 2024. SEIA has rejected the report saying that it fails to take into account of the 100-year history of preferential tax treatment enjoyed by fossil fuels.
China: CMIP starts 1 GW PV project in Ningxia
In addition to its significant investment in Ningxia province, CMIP New Energy plans to invest more than $30 billlion in solar projects across the country in the next five years.
Hanergy to build 10 MW GaAs thin film R&D fab in Wuhan
The project, which is receiving extensive support from the local government and backing from national, provincial and municipal funding, marks Hanergy’s first GaAs R&D project in China since acquiring U.S. company Alta Devices.
Borrego builds largest college solar array in New York
The installation, which will save Houghton College up to $4.3 million during the 25-year PPA contract period, will generate an estimated 3.15 million kilowatt hours of electricity in its first year of operation.
