“Skinny Budget” nukes U.S. renewable energy research
President Trump’s Department of Energy hit list includes advanced energy research, loan guarantees and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Turkey to announce new tender for 1 GW of solar this summer
Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Berat Albayrak, announced that Turkey will hold a new tender for 1 GW of solar PV and 1 GW of wind power systems this summer.
Europe’s largest bifacial installation under construction in the Netherlands
PV equipment supplier Tempress has announced the beginning of construction on a 400 kW installation close to its headquarters in the Netherlands, which will be the largest in Europe to feature glass-glass bifacial modules.
South Africa’s PV capacity reaches 1.47 GW, new PV installations for 2016 total 509 MW
The South African solar market registered 509 MW of new PV installations in 2016. The country’s cumulative PV capacity reached 1.47 GW as of the end of December. Meanwhile, the price of solar power has dropped significantly over the past five years.
Four more Chinese solar manufacturers withdraw from minimum price agreement
Jetion Solar, Hareon Solar and GCL Technology requested to withdraw from the minimum price agreement in October. The three companies, as well as Talesun Solar, are now excluded by Brussels from the undertaking.
Tesla to issue US$1 billion stock & convertible bond offering
The EV, solar and battery company has filed to issue $750 million in convertible notes, and another one million shares of stock in advance of its Model 3 roll-out.
Brasil’s BNDES finances renewable energy projects for isolated systems in Amazonas
Projects selected in an upcoming auction will have access to a financing scheme of the Climate Fund (Fundo Clima) managed by BNDES
SunPower signs supply deal for 125 MW of P-Series modules
The supply deal with NextEra Energy Resources signals a radical shift in strategy for the struggling manufacturer and is the first major test of its novel module design.
EDF to deploy 23.7 MW of solar in France, creates storage unit in North America
The French energy giant keeps expanding into the renewable energy business. Its France-based unit EDF Energies Nouvelles will build PV plants totaling 23.7 MW, while its US division EDF EN has created a new subsidiary for distributed solar and storage projects up to 30 MW.
EBRD commits €300 million to Greece’s renewables
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a framework committing up to €300 million of new financing for Greece’s renewable energy sector. The timing is crucial, since the Greek electricity sector is expected to undergo fundamental changes very soon.
