India: Solar capacity passes 5 GW, 750 MW project receives IFC support
Indias cumulative solar capacity has surpassed 5 GW, with 1.385 GW installed this financial year. Around 18 GW in tenders are expected to be out by March 31. In related news, World Bank Group member, IFC has pledged its support to help fund the 750 MW Rewa ultra-mega solar power project in Madhya Pradesh.
SPI to begin trading on Nasdaq
SPI Energy Co. Ltd is transferring to the Nasdaq Global Select Market for trading from January 19, 2016, under the ticker symbol “SPI”. Chairman, Peng Xiaofeng is expected to ring the bell in New York.
Shunfeng warns of 90% profit decrease, completes Suniva acquisition
In a busy week for Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited, the Chinese company has issued a 2015 profit warning, where it expects consolidated profit to fall 90% YoY. It also now officially owns a 63% stake in Suniva; and has seen a 33 MW Australian solar project shortlisted for the next stage of competitive bidding.
SMA launches Tesla-compatible home storage inverter to capitalize on high demand potential
SMA Solar Technology AG has launched what it says is the first AC-coupled inverter system for high-voltage batteries. It is hoping to tap into a storage application market worth up to EUR1.2 billion. The Sunny Boy Storage will be available from March in first Germany, and then other, key markets.
IRENA: 36% renewables share to boost GDP by $1.2 trillion, create 14 million jobs
A new report from IRENA has calculated that a 36% renewable energy share in the global energy mix by 2030 would boost GDP by up to US$1.3 trillion. Over 14 million new jobs would also be created, of which solar would account for 7.2 million.
IRENA backs $46m RE projects, rallies clean energy sector on eve of World Future Energy Summit
The International Renewable Energy Agency and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development announce loans totaling $46 million to back four clean energy projects in developing nations.
NASA sets new long-distance solar spacecraft record
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Juno spacecraft has broken the solar power distance record on its journey to Jupiter. While Juno’s massive solar arrays will generate only 500 W when it arrives at the planet, it wil be enough to continue powering the craft.
US announces $220 million in grid modernization funding
The research and development funding will help finance a comprehensive grid-related research and development effort to address a range of emerging challenges and opportunities in the United States’ power grid.
SolarWorld to supply 10.5 MW for Oregon project
The Obsidian Renewables project will employ the company’s 72-cell solar panels. SolarWorld is expanding its output of the new modules in a new factory at its Hillsboro, Oregon, headquarters.
Sun Brilliance plans 25 MW solar farm near Perth
While rooftop solar has dominated the Western Australian market in the past five years, the company aims to offer solar farms to provide competitively priced electricity to customers who want power from renewable sources but do not have rooftop installations.
