Off-grid solar in Africa gets $224 million World Bank lift
The funds will be used for electrification projects in West Africa and the Sahel to bring electricity to 1.7 million people.
Rendeavour finishes first project of its 30 MW plan for Kenya
The African property developer has completed a 1 MW rooftop PV array at an industrial park in Nairobi. The installation is its first solar project in Kenya and part of a planned 30 MW rollout at Tatu City, its new mixed-use development in the capital.
India’s solar sector will outperform globally despite near-term challenges, says Fitch Solutions
With Narendra Modi being tipped to triumph again in the current Indian elections, Indian solar capacity is expected to grow robustly, at 15.3% per year, on the back of continued strong government support.
Financing key to scaling up SME rooftop solar in India — Deloitte
India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is expected to make a significant contribution to the country’s rooftop PV target of 40 GW by 2022. However, a range of issues — including low public awareness, the scarcity of low-cost financing and the need for rooftop aggregation models — must be addressed before rooftop solar can be aggressively scaled up, according to a new report from Deloitte and the Climate Investment Funds (CIF).
Bangladesh to complete 7.4 MW of solar capacity in April
A 7.4 MW solar plant will start generating electricity next month in Rangamati, in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Division.
World Bank provides $185m for 310 MW of renewable capacity in Bangladesh
Multilateral lender hopes to leverage $212 million more from the private sector as falling solar development costs make renewables more attractive. A solar plant with a 50 MW capacity in Feni will be one of the first to benefit from the new funds.
Developers in the dark over reported 25% hike in Benban investment costs
The association that represents developers operating at the 1,465 MW solar project in Egypt – due for completion in June – say they have been told nothing about a rumored rise in investment costs caused by more expensive construction materials.
The promise of a 100% renewable energy world
The oldest solar organization in the world, the International Solar Energy Society, dates back to 1954. President David Renné tells pv magazine about India’s solar dreams, the next best thing in solar technology and what renewables hold for the world’s future.
IFC anchors green bond for 5 GW of renewables in east Asia and Pacific
World Bank sister organization the IFC has made a $75 million commitment to a green bond recently issued by Philippines based developer AC Energy. Vietnam’s sub-standard financial sector performance has prompted the Asian Development Bank to suggest green bonds could best leverage the country’s renewable energy targets.
First EBRD-financed slice of Benban project comes online
The 30 MW plant was developed by a consortium led by Infinity Solar Energy SAE – an Egyptian developer operating in Africa and the Middle East – with Germay’s ib vogt, investment vehicle MMID and private equity firm BPE Partners.
