Amount of silver needed in solar cells to be more than halved by 2028, Silver Institute says
The US-based industry association finds the amount of silver loading may fall from 130 mg per cell in 2016 to approximately 65 mg by 2028. Alternative and cheaper raw materials, such as copper and aluminum, are not expected to replace silver in commercial cell production, at least in the next decade.
Guyana secures financing for 100 MW solar project
The $80 million scheme is expected to be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, with the support of the Norwegian government. The funds concerned were originally to be devoted to a hydropower project.
Engie Brasil takes full control of unit specializing in solar DG
Through the operation, the Brazilian unit of the French energy giant strengthens its position in the local distributed generation segment.
Terra Firma moves forward with sale of Italy’s RTR
While Italian utility A2A has dropped out of the race to buy RTR; Enel, Eni and BP are reportedly shortlisted bidders for the acquisition. The Italian PV asset manager owns and operates 134 solar parks with a combined capacity of 334 MW across more than 100 municipalities in Italy.
Solarpack could be listed on Spanish stock exchange
The Spanish PV project developer is currently seeking ways to finance its solar project pipeline in India, Chile and Spain. Although the rumors have not been confirmed, listing on the Madrid Stock Exchange may be a option.
Two strategic M&A transactions announced in the French PV sector
French solar project developer, Solstyce and rooftop PV specialist, Enerpur are merging into a single company; while France-based building materials provider, Terreal has become the largest shareholder of mounting system provider, GSE Integration.
Portugal’s regulator greenlights plan to expand grid capacity
The plan is necessary to the further development of big solar parks in the southern part of the country. Overall, €474 million will be invested in grid enhancement over the next four years.
Thin film manufacturer, Calyxo finds new investor
TS Group GmbH has taken over the entire business of the insolvent PV manufacturer. All of the German company’s 130 workers will continue to be employed. Production of cadmium telluride thin film PV modules at the Bitterfeld-Wolfen site, near Berlin, will continue.
Scatec secures third large-scale PV project in Ukraine
The Norwegian developer, which is already developing two solar plants totaling 83 MW in the Eastern European country, has now secured an agreement to build a 47 MW facility in the Mykolaiv region in south Ukraine.
United States: Texas to get its biggest solar plant at 315 MW-DC
Innergex purchased the rights to develop the massive Phoebe solar power plant on the day that the project received a full notice to proceed with construction.
