Botswana issues tender for 12 IPP solar projects
Through the tender, the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) is seeking independent power producers (IPPs) to provide more electricity connections within the African country. It joined the International Solar Alliance at the beginning of November.
Neoen announces financial close for 140 MW (DC) PV plant in El Salvador
The power plant will be connected to a 3 MW/1.5 MWh lithium-ion battery system. Lenders are the Dutch Development Bank (FMO), the French Development Agency (Proparco) and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Poland’s wind, solar auction concludes with lowest price of $79.1/MWh
The auction’s final lowest price was higher than that of the two previous auctions of the same kind, which were held in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Overall, 8,169 TWh of power were sold for PLN 2.2 billion (US$579.8 million).
Gamesa secures 400 MW inverter order from Egypt
The Spanish inverter maker will provide Norwegian developer Scatec with 66 PV inverter stations for projects it is building at the Benban complex.
Renewables surpassed fossil fuels capacity in Germany last year
In their annual monitoring report, Germany’s Federal Network Agency and the Federal Cartel Office have analyzed the figures for 2017. At the end of last year, renewables accounted for around 112.5 GW of operational capacity, while conventional sources totalled 105.1 GW.
Chile launches call for $193.4 million solar energy research institute
The Technological Institute for Solar Energy, Low Emissions Mining and Advanced Materials of Lithium and other materials, will be set up with a mixture of public funding and 30% private investment.
“There are four or five key issues in project quality control, most of them before installing the first module”
PI Berlin plans to open a headquarters in Spain next year. pv magazine has spoken with Senior Consultant Asier Ukar about market expectations, the most recurrent quality failures in Spain, risks, certification and protectionism. “After 10 years, we return to Spain with much enthusiasm,” he told us.
German government plans softer FIT reduction for commercial solar
The coalition government has reached agreement on the FIT reduction for rooftop PV not exceeding 750 kW in size. According to a draft bill, seen by pv magazine, the FIT will be reduced to €0.0987/kWh from February, with further cuts in March and April, which would take it down to €0.0890/kWh.
EU approves France’s €600 million scheme to support innovative PV
Through the program, the French government is supporting projects ranging in size from 100 kW to 5 MW. Tenders, to award 20-year FIT contracts for projects, will be held by the end of 2019.
Poland’s second largest coal producer to deploy 70 MW of solar at mining site
Polish power company ZE PAK SA has an 8.5% share of the country’s electricity market. Total investment in the solar project is estimated at approximately PLN200 million ($52.5 million).
