Ukraine’s operational solar capacity reaches 841 MW
According to new provisional numbers released by the Ukrainian government, around 100 MW of new solar PV power stations were connected to the country’s grid in the first quarter of 2018.
Sweden increases 2018 solar budget by another $20 million
Solar rebates were increased, from covering 20% of the cost of buying and installing a rooftop PV system, to 30%, starting from last January. Overall, the Swedish government will grant around US$80 million in incentives this year.
France preps tender for 300 MW PV plant aimed at to-be-decommissioned nuclear site
The giant solar plant is expected to improve power supply in the department of Haut-Rhin, where the country’s oldest nuclear power plant, located in Fessenheim, on the border with Germany, will be closed by 2020.
Indian government initiates anti-dumping investigation for the imports of EVA film for PV modules
RenewSys India has submitted a petition to the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping & Allied Duties for the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate sheets for solar modules from China PR, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Thailand. Evidence of dumping has been found.
United Nations backs solar powered irrigation
A new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization outlines the benefits of solar powered irrigation systems to both large and small scale farming operations in developing countries. The report also stresses the need for comprehensive management and regulation of such systems, to avoid unsustainable water use.
IEA PVPS: Slow growth without China
In recent years, the International Energy Agency has consistently been far too conservative in its renewables forecasts. For the last year, it reported solar growth of almost 100 GW. It said, however, that if China were excluded from this balance sheet, growth would be relatively low.
EkoRE plans 1 GW vertically integrated PV factory in Turkey
The Turkish solar company is planning to set up the manufacturing facility in the Bor Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) of Niğde, in Central Anatolia. After the project was accepted under a special incentive program by the Turkish government this week, EkoRE is now seeking investors.
Romania’s PV capacity grew by only 3 MW in 2017
The Romanian solar PV market has ground to a halt, following the expiration of the green certificate scheme for large-scale renewables. New provisions for net metering and distributed generation, however, may come into force soon.
Sterling and Wilson creates new hybrid and storage business, targets 1 GW installations
The Indian multinational EPC has this week unveiled a new global division that will focus on the development of power+storage hybrid solutions. The new unit will focus initially on lighting up remote islands and has an installation target of 1 GW.
Construction begins on 49 MW project in central Spain
Spanish energy company, Gas Natural Fenosa has announced that construction is underway on the 49 MW La Nava PV project, its first solar project in Spain’s central region of Ciudad Real. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
