California: Gov. Brown calls for 50% renewables, more PV in Golden State
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday called for the state’s electric utilities to boost their renewable energy procurements to 50% of retail electric sales and discussed future initiatives to support rooftop solar, battery storage, grid infrastructure and electric vehicles.
Australian Solar Council targets Queensland in lead up to election
Australia’s peak solar industry body has launched a campaign to put pressure on the state of Queensland’s conservative government that it claims “has been determined to shove solar where the sun doesn’t shine.” Queensland voters will head to the polls to elect a state government on January 31.
New development schemes boost solar across India
The Ministry of Defence, India Railways and the state government of Maharashtra have unveiled new policies and plans that will boost solar development throughout the country over the next five years.
Emerging markets 2015: Dubai's commercial rooftop segment target for new UAE scheme
In late December, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed passed a new resolution that could unlock the rooftop PV market in Dubai. The most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could be set to become the first major rooftop market in the region if the local utility facilitates the new regulation with the potential to jump start distributed generation in the MENA region.
Solar overwhelmingly popular in US, says Harvard scientist
Professor’s 12-year study finds attitudes towards solar and wind energy among Americans largely positive, with natural gas viewed as a ‘make-do’ fuel until renewables more mainstream.
South Africa considers net metering
Country’s energy regulator draws up plan designed to make solar power more attractive to businesses and homeowners and boost the nation’s stretched energy supply.
Californian grid operator to address net imbalance
The Californian Independent System Operator (CASIO) is addressing the famous load duck and attempting to “let the duck fly.”
Sonnedix consortium closes deal for 86 MW PV plant in South Africa
Selected as part of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Procurement Program, the project is to be built in the coming months in the Northern Cape. Juwi Renewable Energies is handling EPC services and South African utitlity Eskom is on board with a PPA.
Hanwha SolarOne to supply 80 MW in Chile
The solar installations will be powered by Hanwha SolarOne’s new polycrystalline module generation, the HSL S Series. The news follows announced figures in Chile showing an impressive 50-fold increase in completed PV projects during 2014.
Saudi Electricity taps GE for 600 MW integrated power plant
The Green Duba project marks Saudi Arabia’s first integration of concentrated solar power in a combined cycle plant. The parabolic trough installation will generate 50 MW of the plant’s total 600 MW of capacity.
