Romania’s PV capacity grew by 70 MW in 2016
Romania’s solar market registered a slight drop in new installations in 2016. Approximately 70 MW was installed last year. This capacity is represented by MW-scale PV projects developed under the green certificate scheme launched in 2011.
Canadian Solar gets $20 million financing for PV project in Brazil
The Chinese-Canadian company has secured $20 million in funds to support the construction of a 191 MW PV plant in Brazil.
SolarPower Europe summit opens, 6.7 GW installed in Europe in 2016
The European solar market decreased by 21% last year. This disappointing if not unexpected news opened SolarPower Europe’s annual summit in Brussels today. Grid integration of Europe’s solar capacity, EU market rules for protecting the ‘prosumer’ and reforms to the continent’s faltering Emissions Trading Scheme were major themes during the plenary session.
Hevel Solar energizes four PV plants totaling 35 MW in Russia
The Russian solar company has connected to the grid four large-scale PV plants in Russia. Its solar operational capacity in the country has now reached 75 MW.
Manz expects to return to profitability this year
Large orders for the solar segment are expected to enable the company to return to profit in 2016. Last year, Manz was able to slightly increase its revenue, although it is still struggling with losses.
Welink and CTIEC bag EPC contract to build 220 MW PV plant in Portugal
Work on this huge solar project without subsidies is expected to begin in the first quarter of this year.
TerraForm raises another $86 million for Ontario solar projects
The troubled yieldco has managed to raise additional capital for four solar projects in Canada, as we wait on word of its settlement with SunEdison and potential sale to Brookfield.
EU supports Africa’s renewable energy and solar development with €300 million
The European Commission has decided to support the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative with €300 million ($317.7 million). The funds are intended to leverage up to €4.8 million ($5 billion) and to help finance 19 renewable energy projects totaling about 1.8 GW.
Colombia issues legislation for self-consumption
The Colombian government has published the decree that regulates the installation of renewable energy and solar power systems for self-consumption. The new regulation, which applies to systems up to 100 kW, simplifies the procedures for grid-connection and sale of excess power.
Enel Green Power converts Italian module factory to production of bi-facial, heterojunction technology
Italy’s ENEL will invest €80 million ($84.4 million) to convert its PV module manufacturing facility, in southern Italy, from amorphous silicon to bi-facial heterojunction modules. ENEL expects to launch its new modules in 2018 and to reach a capacity of 240 MW in 2019.
