Ukraine reaches 1.33 GW of installed solar power
In 2018, newly deployed PV capacity in the eastern European country totaled 645 MW. Demand is mainly driven by large-scale projects under the FIT scheme, but residential solar under net metering is also providing a significant contribution.
Siemens wants to take over Kaco
After announcing its entry into residential storage a week ago, the Munich-based multinational has now unveiled a plan to acquire inverter manufacturer Kaco. Siemens has not provided details about the value of the transaction.
Germany deployed 579 MW of new solar capacity in January
Last month’s jump in new installations was mainly due to the pending FIT cut for installations not larger than 750 kW.
Shell and Total join fossil fuel companies bidding for a piece of Europe’s PV renaissance
With Europe set to return to solar power levels last seen during the PV boom seven years ago, a wave of mergers and acquisitions is taking place as the oil and gas majors splash the cash to buy the expertise needed to participate in PV’s new dawn.
Belgium’s PV capacity tops 4.25 GW
Most of the nation’s solar is in Flanders, which at the end of December had more than 3 GW of grid-connected PV. Wallonia and Brussels account for the remaining 1.1 GW and 83 MW, respectively. Although Belgian solar is still dominated by residential PV, a stronger stimulus for the market may come from the large-scale segment in the years ahead.
Denmark’s European Energy acquires largest PV project in Italy
The Danish developer has bought the right to build a 123 MW plant in Troia, in the southern Italian region of Apulia. The project was initiated in 2011 and is the largest Italian PV project to have secured all necessary approvals. European Energy plans to start construction this year.
Medium and small power-to-gas conversion already viable
An international team of economists says power-to-gas may already generate hydrogen at costs competitive with fossil fuel power plants in Germany and Texas, provided certain production output levels are not exceeded. If medium and small power-to-gas is competitive, large-scale should be viable by 2030.
Leroy Merlin begins sale of PV modules in Spain via website
The French home improvement and gardening retailer has stolen a march on Ikea by offering PV panels and other renewable energy products in Spain.
The promised land of floating PV now has guidelines for proper deployment
The Netherlands-based Foundation for Applied Water Research has published a Guide for the licensing of floating solar parks on water and developed a tool to measure the effect of PV modules on water quality and quantity and the ecosystem.
Investment fund refinances 200 MW of UK projects set up under subsidy regime
A bevy of lenders from Australia, Germany and the Netherlands have provided up to £272 million for 17 solar and onshore wind projects that benefit from the U.K.’s expired incentives program.
