Estonia to replace feed-in premium scheme for renewables and solar with auction mechanism
The Estonian government plans to replace the current FIP scheme for renewable energies with an auction mechanism within the next few months. The country’s installed PV capacity reached 10 MW at the end of 2016.
Four bidders for Turkey’s 1 GW Konya solar PV plant
The names of four consortia that will bid for Turkey’s 1 GW solar PV plant in Konya have been revealed. The tender will take place on 20th March.
Engie plans to acquire RWE’s renewable energy unit Innogy, reports
The French energy giant is offering to acquire Innogy, the renewable energy unit of German power provider RWE. Innogy acquired German developer Belectric and its huge solar power plant portfolio in January.
Vattenfall uses BMW car batteries for storage projects at winds farms
German car maker BMW will provide Vattenfall with 1,000 lithium-ion car batteries. Vattenfall will use the batteries, which are also used for the vehicle BMW i3, for storage projects at wind farms.
Neoen secures 25-year PPA for 54 MW solar project in Zambia
The French developer has secured a 25-year PPA for Zambia’s largest PV plant. The project, which was selected in an auction held by the World Bank in 2014, will sell power to local utility ZESCO at US$0.0602 per KWh.
Sungevity files for bankruptcy amid rumors of IKEA buyout
Four days after laying off an estimated 400 employees, Sungevity has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Meanwhile former employees say that a potential acquisition of the company’s European business by IKEA is afoot.
Panama reports 46 MW of new large-scale solar capacity for 2016
With seven large-scale PV projects connected to the grid last year, Panama has reached a cumulative PV capacity of 89 MW.
Italian PV demand maintains steady pace in January, new opportunities for business
The Italian PV market maintains its path of stable growth in January with approximately 25.7 MW in new systems. Meanwhile, the local government agency GSE has published new rules for the revamping and repowering of existing installations. The Italian renewable energy sector believes that the new rules will create new business opportunities for both solar manufacturers and developers.
Poland added 94 MW of PV capacity in 2016
The Polish solar market has seen its largest growth in 2016 with approximately 94 MW in new installations. The country’s cumulative installed PV power had reached 192 MW at the end of December. A more stable regulatory framework is giving investors more confidence.
Burkina Faso: citizens, film festival and country go solar
Financing for two new large-scale PV plants, a 33 MW PV plant under construction and small installations indicate the African country embraces solar technology in order to satisfy its electricity needs.
