COP21

The fossil fuel industry is facing a US$33 trillion hit to its expected revenues over the next 20 years, following the dramatic and unexpected result of the Paris climate change conference last weekend. RenewEconomy reports.

Agreement among nearly 200 countries to hold temperature increase to below 1.5C hailed as a progressive step by Irena, but green groups say aspirations are meaningless unless appropriate measures put in place.

pv magazine speaks with Solar Impulse pilot and co-founder Andre Borschberg at the COP21 Summit in Paris.

Africa has been well and truly in the spotlight at this round of climate talks. Identifying over 11,000 GW of renewables potential, it has called for an annual energy investment of US$55 billion, annual climate financing of $11 billion, and a pledge to stop global temperatures rising above 1.5°C. The U.K. and U.S., meanwhile, have signed an MOU to improve African access to clean energy, and Canada has committed CA$150 million to the African Renewable Energy Initiative, more details of which have been acquired by pv magazine.

The French Government has announced the winners of its 800 MW CR3 tender, for projects larger than 250 kW. Tariffs for the winning projects have fallen between 15% and 23% on the previous tender, to an average of €0.082/kWh (US$0.087/kWh) for ground mounted arrays, €0.129/kWh ($0.139/kWh) for large rooftop arrays and €0.124/kWh ($0.134/kWh) for solar shade structures, largely solar carports.

Senior executives from global internet giants Google and Facebook say that renewable energy is now a valid economic alternative, and more companies could and should be following their path to 100 per cent renewable energy.

Canadian Solar CEO and guest speaker at the Global Solar Council launch Shawn Qu says solar can only tackle climate change effectively if there is global commitment to free trade.

Abengoa’s stumble leaves questions marks as to its U.S. yieldco, Europe’s biggest PV plant flicks the switch and bold aspirations for renewables provides reasons to be cheerful. Big developers, projects and renewable ambitions in this latest edition of the weekly news digest.

There is considerable concern in Paris – and elsewhere – about whether the deal negotiated at the UN climate change conference will be strong enough to drive the global decarbonization effort that everyone recognizes is needed.

Israeli company Ecoppia will supply its autonomous module cleaning robots to the 40 MW Ketura solar plant in Israel. Ecoppia signed the deal with joint owners of the Ketura EDF RE and Arava Power.