Libya resumes efforts to take advantage of its solar potential
Libya’s Misurata Free Zone is resorting to solar to increase its energy independence, with support being provided by U.S.-based energy consultancy, iQ Power.
Kazahkstan tenders 290 MW of solar
Overall, new auctions launched by the Kazakh government will allocate 1 GW of renewable energy generation capacity, including 620 MW of wind power plants.
Acciona secures solar PPA from Chilean mining company ENAMI
The National Mining Company of Chile (ENAMI) will be the first Chilean mining company that will have all of its electricity demand covered by clean energy sources. Supply of electricity under the long-term PPA will begin in April 2018.
Solar Ventures plans 1 GW of ‘grid-parity’ projects in Italy, Spain
The Italian solar plant operator has decided to re-enter the Italian PV market, as costs for large-scale solar are now under €1 million/MW and conditions for unsubsidized projects are improving. Overall, it plans to invest around €800 million in solar in the two southern European countries over the next five years.
Manz returns to profitability
Thanks to a one-off effect in the solar segment, the company was able to achieve a record turnover of €325 million in 2017.
Sweden allocates $60 million in solar rebates for 2018
The Swedish Energy Agency will initially allocate 200 million SEK (around US$24 million). Two further tranches of 200 million SEK and 100 million SEK, respectively, will be assigned in April and in the fall. The funds will be used to finance small rooftop PV projects under the country’s solar rebate scheme.
German PV module maker CS Wismar plans to raise production in 2018
In addition to the manufacturing of its own modules, the German solar PV producer focuses primarily on OEM production. Negotiations are currently underway with two customers, which would lead to a significant increase in production volume this year.
Storage Highlights countdown #1: combined gas and battery grid services power plant by Technische Werke Ludwigshafen and Younicos
As Energy Storage Europe approaches, pv magazine counts down the highest-ranked energy storage highlights, selected by our independent jury, that visitors to the exhibition can lay their eyes on. In first-place was Younicos’ combined gas and battery grid services power plant.
Brazil’s BNDES reduces interest rate for loans for large-scale solar from 1.7% to 0.9%
After improving financing conditions for solar and renewable energy projects in upcoming auctions in November, the Brazilian Development Bank has now agreed to considerably reduce the interest rate for loans devoted to projects in the areas of public safety, innovation, environment, solar energy, sanitation, solid waste treatment and professional qualification.
2017 Polish residential PV grew by 81.3 MW
The residential segment saw an increase of 26% in new installations last year, with net metering continuing to drive the market.
