Israel: Hydrogen-bromine flow battery goes online
EnStorage Inc. has developed the first ever grid-connected hydrogen-bromine (HBr) flow battery with its 50 kW battery connection at the company’s test site in southern Israel. The battery is said to provide up to 100 kWh of storage capacity.
Clean Power Finance raises $37 million "C Round" finance
While solar startups may struggle to raise venture capital funding at present, Californias Clean Power Finance (CPF) has managed to raise US$37 million in “growth equity” from new and existing investors. Notably, Edison International has purchased a share in the company.
Crowdfunded solar begins in earnest in California
After what has proven to be a lengthy process, a Californian solar startup has received the go-head to offer US$100 million in projects to Californian investors. Mosaic, formerly Solar Mosaic, is the startup which will offer the solar crowdfunding platform.
Germany: 970 million surplus for EEG levy in March
In Germany, the EEG levy received a record surplus of around 970 million (US$ 1,263 million) last March, thus reducing significantly the accumulated deficit to around 450 million (US$ 586 million).
RECs annual report makes grim reading
“No one is making money in the solar industry at the moment,” admits Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) CEO and president Ole Enger in the foreword to the Norwegian solar company’s annual report for 2012.
Austria adds 230 MW of PV in 2012
Austria added a total of 230 MW in 2012, taking the country’s cumulative photovoltaic capacity to 415 MW, the Photovoltaic Austria Federal Association told pv magazine.
France: 120 MW of medium sized rooftop installations by 2015
France announced it will tender 120 MW of medium sized rooftop PV installations by 2015. The installations concern non-residential buildings with a roof surface ranging from 700 to 2000 sqm. Each project can have an installed capacity of between 100 and 250 kW.
S.A.G. Solarstrom completes UK project on time
S.A.G. Solarstrom managed to complete three ground-mounted projects in the U.K. on time by the end of March before the changes to the Renewables Obligation Certificate assessment were implemented. The projects have a total of 44 MWp.
US: Gehrlicher Solar EPC for 3.8 MW Massachusetts array
Construction began last month on a 3.8 MW solar array for the town of Bellingham, Massachusetts, in the U.S.
Standard Bank announces $2 billion renewable energy fund for South Africa
Ten PV projects in South Africa will benefit from a US$2 billion funding support agreement between Standard Bank Group and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
