EIB committed €1 billion to solar last year
The European Investment Bank (EIB) made its solar investments in 13 European Union countries, as well as in India, Mexico and Peru in 2017. The bank’s total investment volume for solar projects since 2002 amounts to around €6.3 billion.
Wacker reveals details on explosion at its US facility
Tennessee’s relevant safety authorities have submitted their report on the hydrogen explosion at the polysilicon plant of the German manufacturer in Charleston. They demand US$25,400 in fines from Wacker Chemie for violations of various regulations. The manufacturer continues its efforts to resume production.
Trump imposes ‘flexible’ steel and aluminum tariffs
U.S. President Trump has exempt Canada and Mexico from 25% import duties on steel and 10% duties on aluminum, and has further left the door open to exempting any nations with which the United States has a “security relationship”.
JinkoSolar downsizes plans for US factory
The Chinese PV giant is now planning to employ only a quarter of the number of workers previously planned in one PV module factory, which will be online by the end of next year.
Brazil plans RE auctions for isolated regions
The Brazilian government is planning to resort to renewable energies to meet power demand in the non-interconnected areas in the north of the country. Meanwhile, another Brazilian state, Santa Catarina, has decided to introduce the ICMS exemption for solar DG.
Neoen’s 50 MW hydrogen electrolyser at proposed wind, solar facility in Australia receives grant
French firm Neoen has begun development on a hydrogen electrolyser to be colocated alongside a 150 MW wind project and 150 MW solar farm. The project has been awarded a grant of AU$1 million by the South Australian Renewable Technology fund, with more funding yet to be approved.
Libya resumes efforts to take advantage of its solar potential
Libya’s Misurata Free Zone is resorting to solar to increase its energy independence, with support being provided by U.S.-based energy consultancy, iQ Power.
Kazahkstan tenders 290 MW of solar
Overall, new auctions launched by the Kazakh government will allocate 1 GW of renewable energy generation capacity, including 620 MW of wind power plants.
Acciona secures solar PPA from Chilean mining company ENAMI
The National Mining Company of Chile (ENAMI) will be the first Chilean mining company that will have all of its electricity demand covered by clean energy sources. Supply of electricity under the long-term PPA will begin in April 2018.
Solar Ventures plans 1 GW of ‘grid-parity’ projects in Italy, Spain
The Italian solar plant operator has decided to re-enter the Italian PV market, as costs for large-scale solar are now under €1 million/MW and conditions for unsubsidized projects are improving. Overall, it plans to invest around €800 million in solar in the two southern European countries over the next five years.
