Manufacturers and research institutes form alliance in Europe
The European Solar Manufacturing Council has been launched at EU PVSEC in Brussels. Participating research institutes, mechanical engineers, material and PV manufacturers stress the importance of having big solar manufacturers in Europe.
PVP4Grid examines prosumer concepts across Europe
The EU-funded research project has presented its first results. Its goal is to examine different regulatory frameworks for prosumers with photovoltaic systems in eight European countries.
PV steps in to cover coal and nuclear power shortfalls
The sunny, dry summer has seen solar break several records and PV kept the lights on when a lack of coolant – caused by rising river water temperatures – led to the temporary shuttering of conventional power plants in France and Germany.
Global investments in small-scale solar rise 16% in Q1, one of few sectors to buck downward trend, finds BNEF
New quarterly figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) show that investments in solar PV arrays of less than 1 MW hit US$14.3 billion worldwide in Q1 against 10% year-on-year contraction in global renewable investments.
EBRD, Energy Secretariat issue guidelines for RE auctions in southeastern Europe
After releasing the guidelines for the grid integration of distributed generation power generators in February, the Energy Community Secretariat has now provided new instructions to help governments of southeastern European countries launch auction mechanisms to support large-scale solar and renewables.
Northwest Europe could install 60 GW of subsidy-free renewables by 2030, report finds
Aurora Energy Research report calculates as much as €180 billion renewable investment opportunities in the region through to 2030, of which €64 billion could be for subsidy-free projects.
Europe to add 11 GW of solar in 2018, IHS Markit says
The analysts forecast further solar growth for this year, with the Spanish market expected to become Europe’s fifth-largest in 2018.
EU approves capacity mechanisms for Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland
The European Commission stated that capacity mechanisms in these five electricity markets are in line with EU state aid rules, and that all of the mechanisms are “well-designed”. SolarPower Europe says further supporting most polluting power generation forms through capacity mechanism simply does not make sense anymore.
Swedish government backs Northvolt battery plant to tune of €15m
The Swedish Energy Agency has granted SEK 146 million to support Northvolt Labs’ large-scale battery manufacturing plant in Västerås, Sweden. Project already secured financial backing from ABB, Vestas and Scania.
Annual solar installations to surpass 105 GW on Chinese deployment, European rebound — report
Global solar installations could reach about 106 GW this year, largely on the back of high deployment in China and an anticipated demand recovery in Europe, according to a recent report.
