Becky Beetz
Nevada: SolarCity announces 550 job losses, closes training center
Just over a week after Nevadas Public Utilities Commission took the decision to scrap retail-rate net metering, SolarCity has announced 550 jobs will go in the U.S. state. The rooftop solar PV installer has also closed its training center in West Las Vegas.
SunEdison to raise $725 million, pay off more debt
SunEdison Inc. has announced a further action to raise capital and remove debt. Under a Second Lien Facility, the renewable energy giant will raise US$725 million, while a series of exchange agreements with certain note holders will see a reduction of $738 million in debt.
India: SECI, DMRC sign MOU for 500 MW of solar
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) have signed an MOU to deploy 500 MW of solar PV projects over a three year period.
United PV receives $1.5bn in financing, finds Hareon in contract breach
United Photovoltaics Group Limited has received up to US$1.5 billion from CITIC Financial Leasing Co., Ltd for the development of solar PV plants in China. In other news, Hareon has reportedly breached a contract with the Hong-Kong company, worth $64.5 million.
Orix, Sharp bring 45 MW solar project online in Japan
Orix Corporation and Sharp Corporation have completed a 45.6 MWdc solar PV project in Japan.
PERC: Gintech achieves 21.44% efficiency; demand to continue
Kicking off 2016s PERC news, Taiwan-based Gintech Energy Corporation has achieved a solar PV cell efficiency of 21.44% using its PERC technology, thus ranking it number three in terms of global monocrystalline PERC efficiencies, behind Trina and SolarWorld. Predictions are PERC demand will continue well into 2016.
Sonnedix acquires 23.6 MW solar portfolio in France
Sonnedix has acquired SunEdisons 23.6 MW AES Solaire France portfolio. The purchase takes the IPPs installed solar asset base to over 150 MW.
Analysis: More needed from Indian government to fulfill 40 GW rooftop solar ambitions
While the Indian Governments recent announcement of a significant funding boost for rooftop solar PV projects has been welcomed, experts say a lot more needs to be done, financially and in terms of policy and regulations, to drive installed capacity up from just 525 MW today, to 40 GW by 2020. Despite this, the sector is expected to see CAGRs of up to 70% in the next five years.
India to install 4.2 GW of rooftop solar under increased budget
The Indian Government has unveiled plans to install 4.2 GW of grid connected solar PV up until 2019-20 under its National Solar Mission. A budget of around US$751 million has been allocated. It is still unclear how its 40 GW 2020 rooftop target will be met, however.
CERC: Benchmark solar capital cost in India falls 28%
Indias central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) calculates the capital cost for solar PV has dropped 28% from the benchmark numbers over the last two years. Meanwhile, an initial tariff of INR 7.01/kWh has been set. The final figures are to be confirmed this March 31.
