China’s BYD to open PV R&D facility in Brazil
The facility at the Universidade Estadual de Campinas to become BYD’s first overseas R&D facility for PV, and will be set up with initial $1.5m in funding. Subsequent financial support will be based as a percentage of firm’s domestic net sales.
Brazil’s hydroelectric company Chesf builds another MW-sized PV plant
The installation will be located in the state of Pernambuco and will be also used to test different PV components.
EDF to acquire 80% stake in 115 MW Brazilian solar farm
The French energy utility has snapped up a controlling share of the Pirapora II solar project from Chinese firm Canadian Solar. Plant is due to be commissioned in the first half of 2018.
BNEF report outlines big expectations for key Latin America markets
In its New Energy Outlook 2017 report (NEO), published earlier this week, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) outlines its expectations for energy in the Americas between now and 2040. The report predicts big for the key regional markets Brazil, Chile and Mexico.
Brazil needs to improve grid in Minas Gerais to make space for solar
Brazil’s energy agency EPE has released a new study that recommends the improvement of the transmission system of the northern and north-western areas of the state of Minas Gerais, which is expected to host a considerable portion of the solar projects selected in the country’s auctions held in the past years.
Brazil could open renewable energy auctions to hybrid projects
The Committee for the Environment of the Brazilian Senate has approved a bill to modify the legislation of the electric system and grant access to the country’s energy auctions to large-scale hybrid renewable energy projects.
Court approves TerraForm Power, Global settlements with SunEdison
The rulings help clear the way for Brookfield’s acquisition of the two yieldcos, and close a long and difficult chapter in the story of the three companies.
Enel connects 158 MW of PV in Brazil
Through its Brazilian subsidiary Enel Green Power Brasil Participações, Italian developer Enel has completed two projects in Brazil’s north-eastern state of Bahia, with a total capacity of 158 MW.
Brazilian state of Ceará approves three solar projects totaling 90 MW
Ceará’s environmental authorities approved three 30 MW solar projects submitted by Steelcons Energy.
Brazilian Development Bank grants first financing for large-scale PV
The BNDES will support a 150 MW solar project being developed by EDF and Canadian Solar in the state of Minas Gerais. The project is scheduled to come online in August 2017.
