SolarPower Europe summit opens, 6.7 GW installed in Europe in 2016
The European solar market decreased by 21% last year. This disappointing if not unexpected news opened SolarPower Europe’s annual summit in Brussels today. Grid integration of Europe’s solar capacity, EU market rules for protecting the ‘prosumer’ and reforms to the continent’s faltering Emissions Trading Scheme were major themes during the plenary session.
Hevel Solar energizes four PV plants totaling 35 MW in Russia
The Russian solar company has connected to the grid four large-scale PV plants in Russia. Its solar operational capacity in the country has now reached 75 MW.
UK Solar rate hike could add GBP 1.8 million to schools tax bill
New research suggests that schools in England and Wales that have installed solar panels will collectively face an additional GBP 1.8 million in taxes, as the Government pushes forward plans to remove tax exemptions on small commercial installations.
Manz expects to return to profitability this year
Large orders for the solar segment are expected to enable the company to return to profit in 2016. Last year, Manz was able to slightly increase its revenue, although it is still struggling with losses.
Welink and CTIEC bag EPC contract to build 220 MW PV plant in Portugal
Work on this huge solar project without subsidies is expected to begin in the first quarter of this year.
Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE to open testing facility for power electronics & grid integration tech
At the facility, the German scientists will test devices for power electronics and grid technologies in the multi-megawatt range.
Materion completes acquisition of Heraeus target materials business
German technology group Heraeus and U.S. company Materion Advanced Materials have announced the completion of the latter’s acquisition of the target materials business belonging to Heraeus.
TerraForm raises another $86 million for Ontario solar projects
The troubled yieldco has managed to raise additional capital for four solar projects in Canada, as we wait on word of its settlement with SunEdison and potential sale to Brookfield.
EU supports Africa’s renewable energy and solar development with €300 million
The European Commission has decided to support the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative with €300 million ($317.7 million). The funds are intended to leverage up to €4.8 million ($5 billion) and to help finance 19 renewable energy projects totaling about 1.8 GW.
Singulus receives new order for CIGS production equipment
Singulus technologies has announced the signing of a contract worth more than €20 million to supply systems to a Chinese module manufacturer, the subsidiary of a major public energy company.
