Emiliano Bellini
Amount of silver needed in solar cells to be more than halved by 2028, Silver Institute says
The US-based industry association finds the amount of silver loading may fall from 130 mg per cell in 2016 to approximately 65 mg by 2028. Alternative and cheaper raw materials, such as copper and aluminum, are not expected to replace silver in commercial cell production, at least in the next decade.
Guyana secures financing for 100 MW solar project
The $80 million scheme is expected to be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, with the support of the Norwegian government. The funds concerned were originally to be devoted to a hydropower project.
Engie Brasil takes full control of unit specializing in solar DG
Through the operation, the Brazilian unit of the French energy giant strengthens its position in the local distributed generation segment.
Terra Firma moves forward with sale of Italy’s RTR
While Italian utility A2A has dropped out of the race to buy RTR; Enel, Eni and BP are reportedly shortlisted bidders for the acquisition. The Italian PV asset manager owns and operates 134 solar parks with a combined capacity of 334 MW across more than 100 municipalities in Italy.
Solarpack could be listed on Spanish stock exchange
The Spanish PV project developer is currently seeking ways to finance its solar project pipeline in India, Chile and Spain. Although the rumors have not been confirmed, listing on the Madrid Stock Exchange may be a option.
Two strategic M&A transactions announced in the French PV sector
French solar project developer, Solstyce and rooftop PV specialist, Enerpur are merging into a single company; while France-based building materials provider, Terreal has become the largest shareholder of mounting system provider, GSE Integration.
Portugal’s regulator greenlights plan to expand grid capacity
The plan is necessary to the further development of big solar parks in the southern part of the country. Overall, €474 million will be invested in grid enhancement over the next four years.
Scatec secures third large-scale PV project in Ukraine
The Norwegian developer, which is already developing two solar plants totaling 83 MW in the Eastern European country, has now secured an agreement to build a 47 MW facility in the Mykolaiv region in south Ukraine.
Oman to launch another 500 MW solar IPP tender by the end of 2018
The tender is part of a new plan by the Oman Power and Water Procurement company (OPWP), which envisages the deployment of 2 GW of solar through four 500 MW IPP tenders. One of these was launched by the Middle Eastern country in December of last year.
Eni builds first solar park at Italian facilities
The Italian oil group is building a 26 MW plant at its industrial site, Assemini, on the island of Sardinia. The system is part of a 220 MW solar project pipeline that Eni aims to install at its Italian sites between 2018-2021.
