US: 86% of Texas’ future capacity will comprise solar or wind, zero coal
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas’s pipeline of projects has ballooned to almost 80 GW. 12 GW of this is gas, while the rest is wind and solar power plants, as well as 522 MW of energy storage.
Researchers propose doubling today’s solar panel efficiency using two weird tricks
By double stacking a perovskite-silicon solar cell and using the cell in a glass-on-glass bifacial solar module, scientists model that a 30-36% efficient solar module can be attained.
Report shows Tesla’s US battery gigafactory booming
The report found over 3,200 employees working at the factory at the end of 2017, and US$3.7 billion in invested in the plant.
$1.2 billion clean energy fund closes, targets utility scale in the US
Capital Dynamics announced the final close on its most recent clean energy fund, totaling US$1.2 billion in commitments. The company is now managing 2.3 GW of solar installations.
Saudi Tesla backers could be about to invest in EV rival
With PIF having distanced themselves from rumors they will help Elon Musk take Tesla back into private ownership – although that claim is disputed – the Saudi wealth fund may be about to write a big cheque to California-based Lucid Motors.
Enphase boosts confidence, touts technology during analyst day
While the microinverter maker is still the target of an aggressive short, Roth Capital Partners has reiterated its “buy” at $6.50 per share, describing the IQ8 as a “game changer”.
SunPower borrows $110 million to refinance
The PV manufacturer plans to pay off the high-interest ‘mezzanine loan’ with revenue from its residential lease portfolio.
China to file WTO complaint against US duties
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the 30% import duties on Chinese PV products do not comply with the World Trade Organisation’s rules. The Chinese government added that its solar industry could be seriously damaged.
Saudis may take Tesla private
Elon Musk has revealed that a Saudi sovereign wealth fund has approached him with a definite offer, and has announced advisors as the company forms a special committee.
Increased shipments, falling revenues for Canadian Solar in Q2
Module manufacturing giant Canadian Solar shipped 1.7 GW of modules in the second quarter of 2018, a 23.7% increase on the previous quarter, according to the company’s latest update. Net revenue, however, fell more than 50% quarter-on-quarter with the company blaming fewer project sales and lower module prices.
