Brazil’s first solar-plus-storage power plant to come online
The plant, which consists of a 300 kW solar installation and a 1 MW storage system, was built by local power utility Cemig in partnership with Grupo Algar. The project is located in Uberlândia, in the state of Minas Gerais, which is the Brazilian region with the highest penetration of solar and renewables – and a grid that is in a urgent need of improvement.
Fotowatio wins Armenia’s 50 MW solar tender
The solar facility will sell power to the local grid at around US$0.04/kWh. The project is part of Armenia’s six-year $58 million solar program.
Denmark preps tender scheme for PV projects up to 1 MW
The Danish Energy Agency has now submitted the scheme for a public consultation. The tender’s budget for 2018 amounts to around 105 million DKK (US$17.4 million).
Australia’s rooftop installations above 2017’s record-breaking year
February rooftop solar installations exceeded 115 MW, well above the less-than 80 MW installed in the same month 2017 – itself a record-breaking solar year in Australia. Green Energy Markets’ latest STC figures reveal the “extraordinary” installation rates.
Wacker’s US polysilicon factory still on hold
Following an explosion at a U.S. production facility in 2017, the German polysilicon producer is under investigation by local authorities. Wacker Chemie must now pay a fine of US$20,000 for failing to comply with certain regulations regarding the provision of personal protective equipment and employee safety during maintenance work prior to the accident.
Meyer Burger goes to Chinese court for patent infringement
The Swiss PV equipment manufacturer has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in China against Wuxi Shangji Automation Co, Ltd for the protection of its patented wire winding system for the cutting of solar wafers, the Diamond Wire Management System (DWMS).
Abu Dhabi releases safety standards for PV under net metering
The conformity assessment scheme is expected to spur development of solar distributed generation. PV installations up to 5 MW have currently access to net metering.
China extends antidumping and anti-subsidy duties on polysilicon imported from EU
Mocfom’s decision to extend antidumping and anti-subsidy duties on polysilicon imported from the EU is likely a reaction to the 18-month extension of the EU duties on Chinese solar modules. German polysilicon maker Wacker Chemie had previously agreed a minimum import price with China.
Argentina seeks to secure Chinese support for 300 MW solar project in Jujuy province
A delegation of Argentina’s Ministry of Finance has met with representatives of the Chinese government to discuss, among other things, the financing of the 300 MW solar project selected in the first national renewable energy tender of the RenovAr program.
Sri Lanka seeks bids for 60 MW of large-scale PV
Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board has issued a tender for the construction of 60 PV power plants with a capacity of 1 MW each. Bids must be submitted by April 26.
