France loans $136 million to fund South African solar projects
South African utility company Eskom will use the French funds to develop its solar power projects after a deal was struck between Presidents Francois Hollande and Jacob Zuma.
Thai government may purchase rooftop PV to fill commercial shortfall
Thailand: Large-scale solar farms that do not come online within the required time frame could have their contracts to sell power to the government scrapped. The government may instead purchase PV from residential suppliers.
Singulus Technologies develop crystalline solar cells production line for Lithuania's BOD Group
Germany’s Singulus Technologies to supply Lithuania’s BOD Group High Technology Center L.I.G.H.T Wing (Lithuanian of green and high technologies) with a production line for its crystalline solar cells.
Germany: EEG levy increases in 2014
The EEG levy will rise to 6.24 Euro cents per kWh in 2014. This is an increase of almost 20%. The transmission system operators, or TSOs, bank on a levy contribution of 23.6 billion next year with this.
Google invests more than $100 million in 265 MW Californian solar plant
The search engine giant has teamed up with Silver Ridge Power LLC to invest $103 million in the 265 MW Mount Signal Solar project in Imperial County, California.
More Italian headaches for Suntech
The former Chinese giant has revealed the seizure of more solar parks developed with the backing of the tarnished Global Solar Fund investment vehicle. Administrators have been appointed to 27 seized assets.
Solar glass manufacturer criticises Chinese oversupply
Japanese glass company AGC is betting on auto glass because it says it cannot compete with Chinese prices. The well-worn complaint echoes those of EU and U.S. solar companies.
World Energy Congress starts on a pessimistic note
The opening statement of the World Energy Congress said renewables cannot meet future energy demand, GHG reduction targets are impossible without CCS and the idea of peak oil is ‘a myth.’
Shunfeng PV anticipates $142 million windfall
The parent company of cell and module manufacturer Jiangsu Shunfeng is pricing its share issue at the top of the range as it prepares to acquire Wuxi Suntech. Share issue will equate to 20% of the expanded company.
Only two smart grids on EU project list
Only two smart grid projects – one of them aimed at wind power – made the list of 250 projects to be eligible for a slice of EU funding. France and Italy’s Green-Me project may be in line for some of the $7.9 billion available.
