REC Solar module shipments for 2016 exceed 1.2 GW
The Norwegian solar manufacturer saw its module shipments increase 9% year-on-year to 1,266 GW in 2016. A strong fourth quarter was the main driver for this performance. Americas accounted for about 53% of the company’s shipments last year, while in the EMEA and APAC markets REC Solar sold 32% and 15% of its products, respectively.
JinkoSolar, Marubeni sign 25-year PPA for 1.177 GW Sweihan project at $0.0242/kWh
The JinkoSolar and Marubeni Corporation consortium developing the 1.177 GW (DC) Sweihan PV power plant project in Abu Dhabi has signed a 25-year PPA with a Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority (ADWEA) subsidiary. The power price is one of the lowest ever achieved by a utility scale project globally.
France’s PV capacity tops 7.13 GW
French cumulative PV capacity has surpassed 7 GW. In 2016, however, the market registered a 62% decrease in new installations, with the figure coming in at 559 MW. PV plants over 250 kW covered almost two thirds of the new capacity installed last year.
Meyer Burger continues strong start to 2017 with $23.7 million PERC upgrade order
The PERC upgrade cycle continues at pace in 2017, with it continuing to deliver orders to Swiss equipment supply giant Meyer Burger. Today it announced a new $23.7 million order for an unnamed Chinese manufacturer.
Australia: Solar and storage startups pitch to investors, in first Clean Energy Innovators Demo Day
Seven PV and battery storage companies have pitched to investors at the first Clean Energy Innovators Demo Day in Sydney. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) organized the event and can also finance investments in early-stage companies through its Innovation Fund.
Canada: Soventix to develop up to 140 MW across six sites
German-based project developer Soventix is set to develop up to 140 MW of PV in Alberta, Canada. The company is currently planning six projects with capacities ranging from 15 – 45 MW near the cities of Calgary and Edmonton.
Turkey adds 571 MW of solar PV in 2016
Turkey has installed 571 MW of new solar PV capacity in 2016, making it the best year for the country’s solar sector. 2017 is expected to be equally good, while a few worrying signs are on the horizon from 2018 onwards.
JinkoSolar shipments grow in Q4 2016, revenues, margins fall
Leading Chinese PV manufacturer JinkoSolar has continued to grow shipments in Q4 2016, with full-year (FY) module sales increasing close to 50% YoY. Downward price pressure continues to bite, with revenues falling 8.3% compared to Q3, and almost 14% year-on-year.
Lerri Solar re-branded Longi, unveiled at PV Expo, Tokyo
Monocrystalline giant, the Longi Group, will now use the brand for its cell and module business, formerly Lerri Solar. The unified brand will be showcased at the PV Expo in Tokyo, which kicks off on Wednesday.
ARENA backs deX project to deliver open-source digital marketplace coupling distributed solar-plus-storage and grid services
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $450,000 (US$346,000) towards the Decentralized Energy Exchange (deX) project, which aims to produce an open-source software platform on which grid services can be provided and monetized by distributed battery storage. A combination of Australian utilities, research bodies, and startups are collaborating on the $930,200 ($715,000) deX project.
