Greece installs first virtual net-metering PV; awaits ministerial approval
Greece’s first virtual net-metering PV system is installed on the rooftop of a school in Thessaloniki, the country’s second biggest city. The system is funded by Greenpeace Greece but is not yet connected to the grid, as it is waiting for a ministerial decision facilitating virtual net metering.
Fraunhofer ISE and EVG set 31.3% efficiency for silicon multi-junction solar cell
The German research institute and the Austrian semiconductor specialist have achieved a 31.3% efficiency for a silicon-based multi-junction solar cell. The result improves the previous record of 30.2%, which was also set by EVG and Fraunhofer ISE.
EIB and Eiffel Investment Group launch €200 million clean energy fund for bridge financing
The European Investment Bank and Eiffel Investment Group have launched a fund devoted to investments in the green economy in France and Europe. The fund will provide bridge financing for, among others, projects in the solar and storage sectors.
Uzbekistan set to launch 500 MW solar plan
The Government of Uzbekistan announced that five 100 MW solar plants will be installed in the country in the period 2017-2021. Total investments for the plan are expected to reach $1.1 billion.
PV Crystalox posts lower shipments and revenue for 2016, closes UK ingot production
The UK-based polycrystalline wafer manufacturer posted a decrease in shipments and revenue in 2016. Its UK ingot production is expected to be closed this year due to “deteriorated” market conditions.
Enetronica reports revenue and profit drop for 2016
The Italian solar developer saw its turnover and profits decline slightly last year. The company acquired Italian solar inverter manufacturer Elettronica Santerno in late 2016.
Power grids will be increasingly stabilized by storage systems
Video interview: Holger Ziegler, Senior Consultant at DNV GL, explains at the Energy Storage Europe 2017 why the stabilizing of electricity grids will boost the storage market, and also discusses the future prospects for this business model.
UAE-based Ocean Holding plans to invest $100 million in solar in Armenia
Armenia’s Ministry of Energy has signed a MoU with UAE-based Ocean Holding for the construction of PV plants with a combined capacity of over 100 MW.
Trade Show tour at Energy Storage Europe 2017: innovative storage products
Video: Michael Fuhs and Jonathan Gifford, chief editors at pv magazine group, showcase the latest innovations at the Energy Storage Europe 2017 exhibition that are shaping the storage market.
Ukraine’s PV capacity tops 530.8 MW
Ukraine installed almost 100 MW of new PV systems in 2016. The country’s cumulative installed PV power reached 530.8 at the end of last year. Local agency SAEE predicts 150 MW of new PV installations for 2017, while the association UARE expects between 300 MW and 400 MW.
