GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited has today completed the sale of its non-solar arm, leaving it to focus solely on its core solar business.

As part of the plan to liberalize its energy market, Japan will end tax breaks for commercial solar installations at the end of next March. A tax reform plan is expected this month. In other solar news, PV accounted for 3.3% of electricity production in Q3; and 750 applications have been submitted by hopefuls looking to enter the country’s energy market next April.

NextEra Energy will install 17 MW of solar PV at three military bases in Hawaii. Construction is slated for February, with commercial operation expected by the end of 2016.

Kingfisher, owner of companies including B&Q and Screwfix, has announced a £50 million (around US$75 million) investment in renewables, the majority of which will be channeled into solar energy. The move is part of the company’s aim to become net positive by 2050.

Africa has pledged its support for renewables in Paris this week by announcing the launch of the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI). The goal is to achieve universal access to energy on the continent. 10 GW of new and additional renewable energy capacity is planned by 2020, while the potential to generate 300 GW is expected by 2030.

According to a new study, removing trade barriers associated with the import of solar PV products into the European Union will positively benefit the European jobs market. Between 2008 and 2014, both the number of jobs created and GVA decreased; growth is forecast between now and 2020, however. Policy makers have “much” to do in realizing Europe’s solar potential says SolarPower Europe’s CE.

A 3 MW solar PV and energy storage system has been commissioned by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda (GOAB) and PV Energy Ltd. It is expected to cover almost all of the V.C. Bird International Airport of Antigua’s energy consumption.

At the unveiling of the International Solar Alliance on the first eve of COP21, Indian Prime Minister Modi said India will see 12 GW of new solar capacity installed in 2016. He added that the alliance is a “sunrise of new hope” for clean energy. US$30 million will be invested in establishing its HQ. Overall, the alliance aims to mobilize US$1 trillion in solar investment.

In addition to the world’s leading development banks agreeing to work together to increase climate investment, the last two days have seen the RE100 initiative welcoming a number of new participants looking to commit to 100% renewable electricity, and the American Business Act on Climate Pledge attracting a total of 154 companies.

Yingli Green Energy and R.Power Sp. z o.o. have said they will build 60 MW worth of ground-mounted solar PV projects in Poland, up from the 30 MW announced last year. They are scheduled to be included in the country’s 2016 and 2017 auction systems.