Brazilian PV developers pitch for 2.7 GW
The first federal energy auction to feature solar in Brazil has prompted applications for 2.7 GW of projects. Some 1.75 GW of the applications are for projects in Bahia state.
UK firm to develop 600 MW Zimbabwean plants
The Thompson Cole Consortium will reportedly develop eight farms in rural locations across Zimbabwe. The chairman of local developer Twalumba Holdings says he is eager to work with the relevant departments of Robert Mugabe’s incoming government.
Investment group plans £200 million UK solar investment
The Foresight Solar Fund would finance eight U.K. ground mount plants with the profits from a planned London IPO. A partner for the fund says solar offers a more attractive investment in the UK than wind.
Poland: Energy policy U-turn
End of spring, an informal working group started meeting regularly at the Polish Prime Minister’s Office to analyse the energy market situation and the promotion of renewable energy sources. The outcome: FITs in Poland and a support system that will probably be easier to handle.
Chinas PV dominance driven by production scale, not lower labor costs, study finds
Joint US study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) suggests Chinese PV advantage could be replicated globally with further innovation.
Micro generation projects driving Portugal’s new solar PV installations
Portugal added 16.8 MW of solar PV in May and June, but latest figures show that micro generation is still the country’s dominant sector.
India: Propects looking bleak for cell manufacturers
Indian crystalline silicon PV cell manufacturers saw their manufacturing capacity fall to a five-year low this year. Majority of the production tools are now idle.
Wirsol and Greenpower Capital acquire 22 MW Japan plant
Gremany’s Wirsol Solar and Greenpower Capital, through their Japanese JV, have announced today the acquisition of a 22 MW utility scale PV installation in Japan. The project was initially developed by Japan’s Chikyu Factory Service.
Solar Frontier trumpets module performance in MENA installation
Japanese thin film producers and PV developer Solar Frontier is trumpeting the performance of its modules in hot climates, having released production data from its 10.5 MW Al-Midra Tower solar car park installation.
Diehl Controls cuts 50 jobs
Photovoltaic manufacturer Diehl Controls plans to let go of 50 employees in its production facility in Wangen, Germany. The works council and trade union have already agreed upon a severance package for the employees.
