Netherlands’ Energyra starts construction on 100 MW module factory
The Dutch solar PV panel maker has received financial support from the government of region of North Holland, where the manufacturing facility will be located. The first module shipments are planned for the end of 2018.
Brazil allocates 806 MW of solar in A-4 auction, final average price drops to $35.2/MWh
Around 20 GW of solar PV projects were initially competing in the contest. PV was again the source with the largest share, accounting for around 80% of total assigned capacity. The final average price for solar was 118 BRL (US$35.2)/MWh.
Video interview: Smart use cases for C&I, EV and residential energy storage
Götz Fischbeck, Business developer Central Europe Delta EE, discussed with pv magazine at the recent Energy Storage Europe exhibition ways in which storage applications can become smarter in order to better serve the grid and boost the growth of electric vehicles.
Guinea Bissau plans its first big solar-plus-storage project
A solar power plant with a capacity of between 20 and 30 MW is currently being planned with the support of the World Bank, which is now seeking consultants to carry out a feasibility study for the project.
Credit Suisse to launch €500 million green bond issue to back US solar projects
The Swiss bank will utilize the proceeds to refinance construction and operation of U.S. solar projects, and this could be the first of several issuances.
Estonian utility Eesti Energia sees solar business increase
The Estonian state-owned power utility announced its plans to enter the solar energy business in September. The company has now commissioned a 200 kW rooftop solar power generator, which will sell power to a local farmer under a 25-year PPA.
Austria plans to launch 100,000 solar roof program
The Austrian solar sector has welcomed the new draft plan for an integrated climate and energy strategy and, in particular, the planned “100,000 roofs program”. Greenpeace, however, believes a reorientation of climate policy is urgently needed and that the presented measures are inadequate to reach the Paris climate targets.
Fraunhofer ISE announces 33% efficiency for multi-junction solar cell
Together with Austrian equipment manufacturer EVG, Fraunhofer ISE has achieved an efficiency of 33.3% on a multi-junction solar cell. The highlight of the cell is the ultra-thin II-V semiconductor layer. However, it will be a few years before mass production is possible.
Batteries, inverters, solar cells safe from US Section 301 tariffs
The list of Chinese products that the Trump Administration is considering for duties under Section 301 spares inverters, solar cells and modules, and the lithium-ion batteries used in EVs and battery storage to accompany PV.
Irish wind specialist SSE Airtricity expands into solar
The Irish renewable energy supplier, which is already active in the residential and commercial solar business, has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in rooftop PV installer, Activ8 Solar Energies.
