Another two merchant solar projects secure financing in Australia
Netherlands-based renewables developer Photon Energy will build two PV plants totaling 14 MW in the Riverina region of southern New South Wales (NSW). The two projects will feature bifacial PV modules mounted on single-axis trackers and will supply the produced electricity to the spot market.
Work begins on two PV facilities totaling 146 MW in the Netherlands
Chint Solar Netherlands and Powerfield began construction of two new solar parks in the Netherlands. The Stadskanaal and Buinerveen Solar Parks follow the companies’ 103 MW Midden-Groningen Solar Park, now in operation.
Japanese golf course becomes 100 MW solar park
A new 100 MWp solar power plant supplied with Kyocera solar modules has begun operation in Japan’s Kagoshima Prefecture. Operated by the Kyocera-backed Kanoya Osaki Solar Hills LLC joint venture, the plant is one of the largest PV facilities on the island of Kyushu. Venture partner Tokyo Century arranged financing for the project with 17 regional banks.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: 4.3 GW of new cell capacity and a 1 GW solar park
Cell manufacturer Aiko Solar is raising funds to increase its production capacity with 4.3 GW of new lines while Datang Corporation has inked a deal for a 1 GW desert project.
US renewable energy surpasses coal for the first time in more than a century
The coal era could be said to be officially over in the United States.
Algeria plans 4 GW of solar tenders
The government has announced a plan to deploy new PV capacity at a mega site over the next four years. Around 800 MW of capacity is expected to be tendered annually up to 2024. To be eligible, it is anticipated all modules, cables and mounting structures must have been made in Algeria.
South Korea introduces carbon footprint rules for solar modules
The regulations will come into force on June 15 and will entail panel carbon footprints being calculated according to life cycle assessments of their environmental impacts according to the KS I ISO 14040 Korean standard.
A 17.5%-efficient dark grey solar tile
U.K. business Roof Tiles Technology Ltd has developed a solar tile with a claimed efficiency of 17.5% and power output of 175 W per square meter. The company’s founder, Antonio Lanzoni, said a PV system featuring the product would cost 25-30% more than a standard solar rooftop.
Canadian Solar sees turnover and profits surge
The Chinese-Canadian solar manufacturer reported a 41% year-over-year increase in total module shipments to 2.2 GW in the first quarter. Revenue grew by 70% to $826 million, while net profit improved significantly from $17.2 million to $110.6 million.
EIB greenlights €18 million loan for 65.6 MW Polish PV project
The funds will be used by Polish developer Energy Solar Projekty sp.z o.o. to build 66 PV projects selected in Poland’s auction scheme for renewable energy projects not exceeding 1 MW in size.
