Spain to link Mallorca, Ibiza
Spanish electricity grid operator Red Eléctrica de España (REE) announced on Wednesday the construction of a 126-kilometer long cable interconnecting the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza. The project can potentially benefit PV, which now lags behind in the sun-washed islands of the Mediterranean Sea, but this will require time.
Largest African PV plant begins operation
Among the South African project’s investors are Google and SolarReserve, which also developed the 96 MW plant as part of an international consortium. The plant will generate enough power to supply 80,000 homes.
IEA: Share of solar, wind in the global power mix to increase fourfold by 2040
The International Energy Agency has released this year’s World Energy Outlook, which predicts ongoing growth in solar and other renewable energies in both the developed and developing world. However, other experts say the organization’s findings are still overly conservative.
SunEdison to build up to 300 MW of solar PV in the Philippines
The American PV developer’s framework agreement with a Philippine power company is its latest move in Asian PV markets.
Bosch Power Tec shutters inverter, storage plants in Germany
The company plans to bundle production and development of inverters and storage systems at its headquarters in Baden-Württemberg after closing facilities in Hamburg and Hessen.
Italian PV companies head to Morocco
Rome-based Kenergia is developing and coordinating the Solar Breeder project in Morocco. The program is seen as the starting point in a process of investments that will involve Italian companies, local banks, private investors and the SIE and private investors.
Despite hefty losses, Vivint Solar remains on track to double installed capacity in 2014
The Utah-based company booked some 62 MW in the quarter, up 206% year-over-year, and installed about 49 MW — an increase of 196% while its cumulative installed megawatts reached approximately 178 MW at the end of September.
BNEF: global solar to grow to close to 60 GW in 2015
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has taken a bullish stance when making predictions for the 2015 solar market. It forecasts 58.3 GW to be installed in 2015, with lead analyst Jenny Chase saying the somewhat bullish figure is due to BNEF being, fed up of being wrong on the downside.
Bangladesh installs 3 million residential solar systems
In order to achieve its energy 2021 energy target providing electricity access to all residents, the country is seeking to more than double electricity generation to 24 GW, 10% of which from renewables.
Canary Islands: Oil or PV?
Despite escalating local opposition, oil giant Repsol is planning to commence deepwater drilling off Spain’s Canary Islands in search of petroleum. The sun-drenched Canary and Balearics Islands are Spain’s lost solar PV case.
