Eicke Weber: Trump’s border wall could host 5 GW of PV capacity
The former head of Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE said in an interview with Spiegel that, although the proposed U.S. border wall should reach a length of only 3,000 kilometers, this would be enough to build a huge PV installation. With solar LCOE ranging from $0.03 to $0.05/KWh the PV plant could be amortized in five to six years.
China’s Sinomach Group plans solar module factory in Moldova
The Chinese industrial conglomerate intends to take advantage of the fiscal incentives offered by the local government for industrial projects.
Togo to increase rural electrification from 7% to 40% by 2022 through solar
The government of the small African country has launched a program to bring solar power to two million people without access to electricity.
Open letter: European PV industry needs urgent measures
The PV research and upstream organizations ETIP, EUREC and Solarunited have submitted seven requests to all EU policy makers. According to the three entities, the entire PV supply chain must be preserved in Europe in order to give a future to the market and the R&D sector. The reason for the letter was the insolvency of Solarworld, which has spread fears that Europe could completely lose contact with the global market.
NextEra plans deeper moves into solar
The world’s largest wind and solar asset owner has identified opportunities for 9-10 GW of solar as it expands into renewables and away from risky conventional merchant generation.
Spain’s Balearic Islands to replace thermal power generation with solar parks
The government of the archipelago is planning to decommission parts of thermal power plant Es Murterar and to increase the share of renewables through the deployment of large-scale PV capacity.
Andbank España launches new solar fund
Through the new fund, the Spanish financial services provider hopes to initially raise up to €20 million.
Brazil’s hydroelectric company Chesf builds another MW-sized PV plant
The installation will be located in the state of Pernambuco and will be also used to test different PV components.
EBRD to finance another 50 MW solar park in Kazakhstan
The Baikonur Solar project is planned for the Kyzylorda region. The project will be developed by Samruk Kazyna United Green Energy Ltd., which is also building two more 50 MW solar facilities financed by the EBRD.
Italian solar fund Tages Helios raises another €43 million
The Italian fund was able to reach €250 million in funding through its fourth and final financing round.
