Turkey to launch 1 GW PV tender in January
Strong local content requirements may be embedded in the tender, according to the first draft of its rules, with selected projects required to rely on a 60% quota of modules made in Turkey. A 30 MW/ 90 MWh (AC) storage project will also be included at one of the three sites identified for the tender.
Solar all set for another record in Germany
Around 40 billion kWh of clean electricity will be generated by PV systems in Germany during the first nine months of the year. According to calculations by the German Solar Industry Association, the total generation figure from last year will soon be reached.
Akuo plans France’s largest floating solar plant
The 17 MW installation, to be located in the southern region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, is expected to begin commercial operations in March.
World Bank to help Afghanistan tender 40 MW solar project
The International Financial Corporation will help the country’s government competitively tender the project, which is expected to be developed through a public-private partnership.
Netherlands begins inquiry into fire accidents involving rooftop PV
The investigation will be carried out by the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research on behalf of the national enterprise agency and at the request of PV association Holland Solar and Uneto-VNI, the country’s installers’ association.
Neoen prepares for €450 million IPO
Through the listing on the French stock market, the independent power producer hopes to raise enough capital to increase its renewable energy assets from 2 GW to 5 GW. Impala intends to subscribe to the offering and remain majority shareholder.
United States: Solar installation costs declined 5 to 11% in 2017, little so far in 2018
This year’s version of Berkeley Lab’s Tracking the Sun report saw residential installs fall 6% to $3.50 / W, small business fall 11% to $2.90 / W and large business fell 5% to $2.20 /W in 2017, with light changes in early 2018. However, these averages cover wide price variances in different markets.
Recom to increase production capacity by 1 GW
The German module manufacturer is planning a further expansion of capacity in Europe. In France and Armenia, new production lines for solar cells and modules are planned to start this year.
ADB supports rooftop solar in Sri Lanka with $50 million
The funds will be used to finance the Battle for Solar Power Programme, a loan scheme for households and businesses willing to install rooftop PV under net metering or net accounting mechanisms.
PVP4Grid examines prosumer concepts across Europe
The EU-funded research project has presented its first results. Its goal is to examine different regulatory frameworks for prosumers with photovoltaic systems in eight European countries.
