Japan: SunEdison secures non-recourse finance for 9.6 MW array
U.S. renewables company SunEdison has secured non-recourse funding from the Shinsei Bank for the 9.6 MW Tarumizu project on the Japanese island of Kyushu. The deal indicates the growing trend to non-recourse finance for renewable projects in Japan.
ABB inverters bear weathering heights
The grid-connected solar plant atop the Mont Blanc cable car station required inverters with specifications appropriate to a site at an altitude of 3,500 meters.
UK: Shift from large-scale to rooftop PV confirmed
The anticipated shift in the U.K. solar PV industry from large, utility-scale plants to rooftop projects has been confirmed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Investors and developers will have to wait after the elections to get a clear view of the new policy landscape, however.
sPower acquires 63 MW North Carolina solar portfolio
Independent power producer sPower has purchased a 63.1 MW portfolio of solar projects in North Carolina from developer FLS Energy. The portfolio is comprised of 16 ground mounted PV power plants.
Australia: Study finds PV can supply more than 60% of electricity demand in Alice Springs
A study released today has found that solar can supply more than 60% of electricity demand in the remote town of Alice Springs and the grid remain stable. The study concludes that an additional 10 MW of PV can be added to the towns grid, although advises it be spread over nine 1.1 MW arrays to reduce the potentially destabilizing affect of variable cloud cover.
UK: Electric vehicles could drive 40% cut in oil imports by 2030
Motorists could save more than $1,500 on fuel costs annually provided the U.K. creates the required infrastructure to support electric vehicles, says new study.
Dutch authorities investigating possible PV module import violations
An importer in the Netherlands is suspected of shipping re-labled solar modules from China to Europe via Malaysia and Taiwan. According to Dutch press reports, modules from 22 different manufacturers are being held in several European ports as part of a wider investigation.
US solar installations up 30% to 6.2 GW in 2014
Solar accounted for 32% of new generating capacity in the U.S. last year, beating out both wind energy and coal for the second year in a row, according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Egypt on path to become 'renewable energy powerhouse'
The country is on track to expand its solar PV wind sectors to 2 to 3 GW cumulatively by 2020, according to Berlin-based consulting firm Apricum. Following a recent tender, a second procurement round to fill remaining renewable capacity is expected to be held sometime before July.
Trina, Vivint sign pact for Trinasmart modules in North America
Leading U.S. residential solar provider Vivint Solar will now offer Trina’s smart panels to homeowners. The Trinasmart technology includes power optimization and monitoring built into the module junction box.
