Germany installed 2 GW of solar in six months
After a strong start to the year, demand for PV systems has slowed because of FIT reductions. Solar subsidies will fall by a further 1.4% per month until November.
Greenrock Energy to build 300 MW of solar plant capacity in Italy
The German company has already secured project rights for PV projects with 200 MW of generation capacity. Another 100 MW should follow this month.
Wacker’s results affected by low polysilicon prices
The Munich company hopes the PV market will pick up in the second half, driven by demand in China. Wacker Chemie also expects rising prices for polysilicon.
Benin launches 50 MW solar tender
Bidding for pre-qualification to the tender is open to developers until August 19. The projects are being developed in the frame of the Millennium Challenge Account-Bénin II (MCA-Benin II) program.
Ecuador to kick-off 500 MW renewables auction
Through the procurement exercise, the Ecuadorian government will select wind, solar and mini hydropower projects. Selected developers will be granted a 25-year PPA, while the sole off-taker of the generated energy will be state-owned utility Corporacion Electrica de Ecuador, S.A. (CELEC).
Poland launches €235 million solar rebate program
The Mój Prąd scheme will be open to residential rooftop PV projects ranging in size from 2 kW to 10 kW. Furthermore, the Polish Parliament approved a new act that will allow for the wind and solar auctions planned for this and next year to move forward.
Eni plans Italy’s first utility scale floating PV plant of 14 MW
Italy’s first floating PV installation is scheduled to be located at an artificial water basin in Brindisi, in the southern region of Apulia.
Lowest bid in Tunisia’s 500 MW solar tender comes in at $0.0244
All five offers received by the Tunisian government were under the three-cent threshold. The lowest bid was for a 200 MW solar plant Norwegian developer Scatec intends to build in the Tataouine province.
Australia-Singapore power link: world’s biggest solar-plus-storage project gets government backing
Australia’s Northern Territory has given major project status to an ambitious plan to develop a 10 GW solar farm coupled with a 20-30 GWh storage facility near Tennant Creek and export solar power harvested in the Australian desert to Singapore via subsea cables.
US utilities approve 551 MW of solar power at 3.8¢/kWh
North Carolina-based Duke Energy has completed a solicitation for 551 MW of solar power through its CPRE program, with average pricing between 3.79¢/kWh and 3.83¢/kWh and 20 year power contracts.
