UK surpasses 1,000 hours without coal this year alone, solar shines
Reflecting its rapidly changing energy landscape, the U.K. has surpassed 1,000 hours without using coal this year, up from 624 hours in the whole of 2017, and just 210 hours in 2016. Solar PV is also currently a leading energy source in the country.
UK’s decarbonization depends on continued growth of EVs, RE, storage – National Grid
Outlining energy pathways for the next 30 years and beyond, the U.K.’s National Grid has released four different scenarios, considering growing electricity demand and a significant increase in energy infrastructure from new renewable generation and EV charging networks. Only two of them meet the U.K.’s 2050 carbon reduction target on the back of a large growth of renewables and energy storage, and almost completely decarbonized transport.
Solar corporate funding rises 15% YoY with $5.3 billion in H1 2018 – Mercom
Despite the uncertainty caused by U.S. solar panel import tariffs, deteriorating trade relations between the U.S. and China, and the looming consequences of China’s PV policy change, the solar industry saw a 15% YoY increase in corporate funding in the first half of 2018, on the back of a Q2 rebound, finds the latest Mercom Capital report.
Complete ecosystem needed to ensure India’s solar success – UL India interview
The Indian Government must create a complete ecosystem to ensure the effective on-ground execution of its ambitious solar program, says Chakradhar Byreddy, Director–Renewable Energy, UL, Asia Pacific, during an interview with pv magazine. This includes investing in laboratory infrastructure, and skills for technical due diligence, energy yield assessment and forecasting.
The weekend read: Central Asia’s green horizons
Despite its huge potential in the region, solar PV has hitherto gained little traction in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, two utility-scale PV projects have been realized, and a few are in the pipeline for Uzbekistan as it begins to attract international investors. But many challenges on the policy level have yet to be overcome.
The China effect: Decreasing PV utilization rates, serious oversupply and future strategies
Independent energy analyst, Corinne Lin discusses the fallout of China’s recent solar PV policy decision, including decreasing utilization rates and serious oversupply; and a focus on equipment upgrades, particularly for PERC, SE, half cut and bifiacial technologies. The industry will bounce back in 2019, she concludes.
Basic Energy buys stake in 2 Thai EPC firms working on 220 MW Myanmar PV project
The Philippines-based energy company has signed the share purchase agreements to acquire a 15% stake in two Thai companies, which are building a 220 MW utility-scale solar power project in Myanmar.
India adds 10.4 GW of solar in FY 2017-18, Karnataka leads the way
The Indian solar PV market saw 10.4 GW of new capacity added in the 2017-18 financial year, says Bridge to India, thus bringing cumulative installations to 24.4 GW as of this March. Leading the charge is the state of Karnataka. Concerns over the industry’s development remain, however.
ReneSola secures €36 million loan for Polish PV projects
The Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund has extended a loan to ReneSola Ltd to €36 million for the implementation of 55 MW of solar PV projects in Poland.
Solaria unveils 1.3 GW, €600mn Spanish PV pipeline
Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente, S. A. has announced a global solar PV project pipeline of 2.3 GW, 1.3 GW of which will be deployed in Spain. Construction work is set to begin this year.
