Central & South America

Polluting energy sources received more than $3 trillion from the EU and 19 of the world’s largest national economies over that four-year period, despite G20 members having pledged to phase-out fossil fuel subsidy and address climate change back in 2009.

Canadian Solar has banked the cash for its growing portfolio of solar projects in a nation which had module demand of 5 GW last year.

With Australia prepping plans for vast green hydrogen and ammonia production facilities, two of the country’s state governments are trying to drum up the end-user market as agreements are signed to drive use of the gas in Ukraine and Poland.

Solar developers only had limited success in Brazil’s latest energy auctions, with relatively higher prices for PV. Several analysts spoke to pv magazine about the results of the procurement exercises.

The latest global PV industry outlook published by trade group SolarPower Europe, has indicated tight supply of the solar panel raw material is expected to persist this year but the trade body said it would be unlikely to drive further price rises.

An energy transition investment report published this week has also revealed the former world record low price for solar power announced by the Al Dhafra project in Abu Dhabi last year, has fallen even lower since.

Ecuador’s latest procurement exercise will be open to solar, wind, hydropower and biomass projects.

The Mexican authorities are overseeing the development of a $2 billion PV project as part of a modernization plan involving the country’s state-owned utility, CFE.

The factory will be located in the state of Ceará and is expected to begin manufacturing activities in 2022.

State-owned China Xinhua Power Development has booked a $53 million discount on seven solar farms as developer Kongsun seeks to pay down debts, and Canadian Solar has landed a 45 MWh energy storage contract in Colombia.