Manz sets up CIGS joint venture with Chinese partners
The German PV equipment provider will partner with Shanghai Electric Group and Shenhua Group to further develop the CIGS technology. NICE PV Research has already started R&D activities.
Study: reasonable cost of capital can make solar competitive in all European countries within five years
According to a new report from (ETIP PV), solar is already competitive with the current low wholesale electricity prices in southern European countries, while in Europe’s northern regions PV can become competitive within the coming five years.
California grid operator gets ready for August eclipse (with graph)
With California getting a higher portion of its electricity from solar than any non-island nation, the stakes are high with this summer’s eclipse. Fortunately, Europe has already been down this road.
Denmark: solar without incentives is possible, but bureaucracy is killing it
Interview: Denmark is planning a future without incentives for solar and renewables, after abruptly closing the “transitional” incentive program for PV installations up to 400 kW in December. The Danish PV market, meanwhile, has now come to a halt. pv magazine asked Peter Ahm, the CEO of PA Energy and Danish representative to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) PV Power Systems Programme, how the Danish solar market can further grow in the short and long term without subsidies.
Italy opens ancillary services market to pilot renewable energy and storage projects
The project is the initial stage of an organic reform of the Italian ancillary services market, which is expected to be implemented in accordance with the European balancing code.
Italy issues new regulation to promote solar and renewables in non-interconnected islands
The new rules will apply to the country’s 20 minor islands that have no connection with the national grid. Solar installation will be entitled to receive a premium tariff for both injected and self-consumed power.
Spain loses its first renewable energy case in international courts
Spain must pay €128 million for cuts to compensation for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants as ordered by the World Bank’s ICSID, where many other cases for investors in solar PV and other renewable energy projects are pending.
EU greenlights France’s new regulation (and FIT) for residential and commercial PV
The European Commission has approved three initiatives of the French government aimed at supporting renewable energies. One of these is the new regulation for residential and commercial PV, which includes a 20-year FIT for power injected into the grid.
Solbian inaugurates 16 MW flexible solar cell factory in Italy
The Italian manufacturer of crystalline silicon flexible solar modules began production of solar cells in late 2016. The factory is located near Torino, in northern Italy. The cell technology is being provided by Italy-based renewable energy company Day4 Europe.
ET Energy builds 26 MW of solar across the UK
The projects were commissioned on behalf of clean energy investment group Octopus Energy Investments and are eligible for a 1.2 ROC subsidy.
