The world’s sunniest PV testing field
French energy giant Engie recently commissioned a solar module testing facility in Chile’s Atacama Desert, a region which has the world’s highest solar radiation. Thore Müller – head of bifacial PV R&D and solar services at Engie Laborelec, talked to pv magazineabout the advantages of testing panels, inverters and cleaning systems in hot, arid environments.
Jinko bifacial panel order to expand 160 MW Chilean project
The Chinese manufacturer will supply 126 MW of modules to a project in Antofagasta which was originally installed using its products in 2016.
Trina signs 970 MW, 35-plant, multi-nation project contract
The solar manufacturer has landed its biggest engineering, procurement and construction services deal and will work on solar facilities in Europe and Latin America which will come online before 2023.
Canadian Solar secures PPAs for 274 MW in Brazil
With two new deals, Canadian Solar has expanded its pipeline of unsubsidized PV projects in the country to 1.9 GW.
Premature inverter failure – 4.2 GW of capacity will be affected this year, says analyst
U.S.-owned business intelligence firm Wood Mackenzie has attempted to evaluate the market opportunities offered by the repowering of solar projects around the world which feature inverters which are 10 years old – as well as those which will expire ahead of time.
Tender launched for 14.8 MW/40.9 MWh of solar+storage in Ecuador
The Conolophus project, to be built on Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos National Park, will reduce regional diesel consumption.
Global solar capacity may reach 1,448 GW in 2024
SolarPower Europe has predicted the volume of new PV capacity added this year will be 4% less than last year’s figure because of the Covid-19 crisis. At the end of 2019, the world had topped 630 GW of solar. For 2020, around 112 GW of new PV capacity is expected, and in 2021, newly installed capacity could be 149.9 GW if governments support renewables in their coronavirus economic recovery plans.
Colombia streamlines tax incentives for renewables
The procedures to secure income tax deductions, value-added tax exclusions, customs duty exemptions, and accelerated depreciation rates for renewable projects has been shortened to 45 days.
Mexico raises grid fee for renewable projects finalized before energy reforms
The new measure mainly applies to wind power and other renewable energy sources, as most of the country’s solar capacity was deployed after 2014, when the energy reforms were implemented.
Latin America’s largest solar-wind project moves forward
Around 30% of a 571 MW Chilean hybrid facility owned by Irish developer Mainstream Renewable Power has been built. The Condor solar power plant is part of the 1.3 GW Andes Renovables wind-solar complex.
