Belgium: researchers say solar-plus-storage is far from becoming economically viable
According to a scientific paper from the Université libre de Bruxelles, even a further reduction in storage prices may not be sufficient to make solar-plus-storage attractive in the Belgian market.
Brazilian state of Ceará approves three solar projects totaling 90 MW
Ceará’s environmental authorities approved three 30 MW solar projects submitted by Steelcons Energy.
Germany: 96% of projects selected in first of six solar auctions is now online
Around 96% of the PV projects up to 10 MW selected in Germany’s first auction for large-scale solar has now been completed, according to the country’s grid regulator Bundesnetzagentur.
Nepal seeks to improve power network for 25 MW of grid-connected solar
The Nepal Electricity Authority has issued a tender to select consultants for the implementation of the Nepal Grid Solar and Energy Efficiency Project. The initiative is aimed at reducing distribution losses in pilot distribution centers, and enabling the grid-connection of large-scale solar.
Luxembourg bets on solar: additional 2.4 GW planned by 2050
The new energy strategy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg aims to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix from around 6% currently to 70% by 2050. About 4.8 GW of new renewable energy power generation capacity is expected to be installed in order to reach this target, and to reduce dependence from power imports.
Ukraine’s Lviv region sees 10 MW of solar come online
The solar plant was built by local developer LigAgro under Ukraine’s FIT program at a cost of $10 million.
Madagascar wants more off-grid solar for rural areas, preps to host first grid-connected PV plants
Madagascar’s Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons is increasing efforts to implement its rural electrification plan for 2015-2020. Meanwhile, the government is also seeking developers for the island’s first MW-sized grid-connected PV projects.
Sierra Leone’s first utility-scale PV project moves forward
The government of the West African country has signed an implementation agreement for a 6 MW solar project in Freetown. The country’s first MW-sized PV plant is being built with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).
SolarEdge reports strong Q1 with $115 million in revenues
The company shipped 455 MW-AC of inverters from January through March and predicted revenues for Q2 to be within the range of $120 million to $130 million
SunPower’s losses continue during Q1
The high-efficiency solar manufacturer is still bleeding red ink, as it begins shipping its lower-cost P-Series modules and continues its restructuring.
