Solar to lead global renewables growth for next five years — KPMG
Investors throughout the world made 406 investments in large-scale renewables in 2017, collectively valued at roughly €40.1 billion (US$49.5 billion), but solar is set to grow more in terms of capacity than any other clean-energy technology over the next half decade, according to a new report. Battery storage will play a crucial role in this, it found.
US imports of Chinese solar climbed sharply in Q4
1,200%. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, that’s how high imports of Chinese modules rose in the fourth quarter last year, in a desperate attempt to stockpile sufficient numbers before tariffs choked off international supplies.
Aurora Solar Tech infrared tool upgraded for HJT cell measurement
The Canadian firm’s Decima Gemini infrared measurement technology has been updated to measure performance and characteristics of transparent conductive oxide layers key in heterojunction cell technology.
US regulators open markets to energy storage
As the conclusion of a 15-month rule-making, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will require grid operators to value the contributions of energy storage, and begins a process to look at how aggregated distributed energy resources can compete in wholesale markets.
Chinese companies lead global solar developer rankings
State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and GCL New Energy have taken the top spots for installed capacity, but Canadian Solar and First Solar are showing impressive pipelines.
SunPower continues to bleed red ink
Due largely to write downs, the high-efficiency PV maker lost a whopping $750 million during Q4 2017, as it sells off assets.
US government funds $253 million in international solar during 2017
The U.S. government’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) increased clean energy financing in 2017, despite the arrival of the Trump Administration and an ongoing investigation.
Guggenheim: Sale of CAFD, NYLD casts doubt on the yieldco space
A research note by Guggenheim Securities says that the discounted sales of NRG Yield and 8point3 Energy Partners show how difficult it has been for investors to accurately value yieldcos, and undermines confidence.
US researchers develop new redox flow compound
A team of scientists from the U.S. University of Rochester has developed a compound, which it says could double the effectiveness of redox flow batteries, and “transform the energy storage landscape”.
APS, First Solar to install Arizona’s largest battery system
The Arizona-based module manufacturer will install a 50 MW battery system charged by a 65 MW solar farm under a 15-year power contract with the U.S. state’s largest utility.
