Emiliano Bellini
Engie, Sonatrach officialize partnership for solar and renewables
The French group and the Algerian gas and power provider will team up in the areas of solar PV technology and energy efficiency. Sonatrach is also the state-owned entity responsible for the implementation of Algeria’s solar and renewable energy targets, and for the launch of the long-awaited 4 GW auction for PV.
EU approves capacity mechanisms for Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland
The European Commission stated that capacity mechanisms in these five electricity markets are in line with EU state aid rules, and that all of the mechanisms are “well-designed”. SolarPower Europe says further supporting most polluting power generation forms through capacity mechanism simply does not make sense anymore.
Unsubsidized large-scale solar projects are proliferating across Italy
In a short conversation with pv magazine, the CEO of Italy-based consultancy, Prothea Srl has provided more details on the 500 MW Italian pipeline of market parity PV projects, which it has jointly announced with Limes RE.
Aging tests for perovskite, dye-sensitized solar cells must improve, research says
Finnish scientists have found that only one third of tests reported the intensities of visible and UV light, humidity and temperature adequately.
Dutch consortium plans world’s first “off-shore” floating PV plant for the North Sea
The pilot project will be developed over the next three years and will utilize standard PV modules. The consortium expects the solar array to have a 15% higher yield compared to traditional installations.
The rebirth of Spain’s solar sector: 135 MW of new PV systems installed in 2017
While expecting the deployment of several GWs, which were allocated in this year’s auction, Spain’s solar demand grew by 145% last year. Most of the 135 MW installed last year comes from self-consumption and off-grid projects.
Acciona breaks ground on 404 MW solar park in Mexico
The solar complex, Puerto Libertad will be located in the state of Sonora. The project’s completion is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.
Solar tender launched for up to 40 MW in Malawi
The 40 MW project is part of a 70 MW solar plan launched by local utility, Escom in February to reduce chronic power shortages.
ACWA wins Saudi Arabia’s 300 MW solar tender
The Saudi energy company submitted the second lowest bid, an LCOE of 0.08872 SAR ($0.0236) per kWh, while the excluded competitor, a consortium led by Japan’s Marubeni, had offered 0.09976 SAR ($0.0266) per kWh.
Belgian solar market grew by 50% in 2017
While new PV additions in 2017 totaling 264 MW, the country’s cumulative PV capacity had reached 3.8 GW. The market’s main driver remains residential PV.
