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.
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.
Dubai’s DEWA seeks proposals for phase V of 5 GW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
The utility has issued a request for qualification for a further 900 MW of PV at the huge solar park, which is set to reach a total capacity of 5 GW.
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.
ACWA reinforces solar partnership with Huawei and signs Belt and Road deal
The Saudi energy company and Chinese inverter maker and comms firm will team up to use information and communications technology to improve the performance of the former’s PV plants.
Brazil’s WEG acquires storage business of US-based NPS
The two companies entered a technological partnership in 2013 and three years ago the Brazilian company acquired the wind power business of its US peer.
Colombia’s RE auction concludes with no assigned project, new auction to be launched by end of June
The Colombian authorities said the received offers did not comply with the criteria for competition and market dominance. Enel Green Power, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar and Solarpack were among the developers that were admitted to the auction’s final phase.
