Emiliano Bellini
Sierra Leone’s first utility-scale PV project moves forward
The government of the West African country has signed an implementation agreement for a 6 MW solar project in Freetown. The country’s first MW-sized PV plant is being built with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD).
U.S. researchers say solar micro-grids can help military facilities prevent cyber and physical threats
A U.S. research team from the Michigan Technological University is assessing the technical and economic viability of military microgrids run on solar power.
Hungary supports net metering PV projects up to 50 kW with 0% loans
The Hungarian Development Bank started a subsidized loan program for renewable energy and energy efficiency in late April. The €350 million program will run through to 2022.
Study: reasonable cost of capital can make solar competitive in all European countries within five years
According to a new report from (ETIP PV), solar is already competitive with the current low wholesale electricity prices in southern European countries, while in Europe’s northern regions PV can become competitive within the coming five years.
Denmark: solar without incentives is possible, but bureaucracy is killing it
Interview: Denmark is planning a future without incentives for solar and renewables, after abruptly closing the “transitional” incentive program for PV installations up to 400 kW in December. The Danish PV market, meanwhile, has now come to a halt. pv magazine asked Peter Ahm, the CEO of PA Energy and Danish representative to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) PV Power Systems Programme, how the Danish solar market can further grow in the short and long term without subsidies.
Italy opens ancillary services market to pilot renewable energy and storage projects
The project is the initial stage of an organic reform of the Italian ancillary services market, which is expected to be implemented in accordance with the European balancing code.
African Development Bank supports 20 MW off-grid solar project in Zimbabwe
AFDB’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has agreed to provide Oxygen Energy with $1 million in financing to support the preliminary phase of a 20 MW off-grid rooftop solar project in the eastern African country.
Moldova sets solar FIT of $0.10/kWh
A tariff of MDL 1.90 ($0.10)/kWh will be granted for the first time to a 41 kW PV system planned by local developer Opal-Succes SRL. Furthermore, the authority has granted special tariffs to three wind projects totaling 6.5 MW. The country’s new legislation on renewables came into force at the end of March.
Gambia seeks to assess how solar can be combined with its mini-grids
Gambia’s National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) has issued a tender to select companies to conduct feasibility studies to assess the country’s potential for solar and hybridized PV projects in mini-grids and close to existing power plants.
Armenia publishes tender for 55 MW solar project
All pre-qualified bidders are invited to submit project proposals by June 16. The project is part of 110 MW pipeline that the government is supporting through a recently created ad hoc commission.
