UK storage on the fly with 6.9 GW cumulative pipeline
At an event in London, a new tool was presented which lets the user track the UK storage landscape. The market is gaining traction amidst disfavourable policies for solar PV and other renewables from Westminster. The UK’s storage portfolio seems to be growing rapidly.
Canadian Solar privatization plans on ice
Last December, the company’s CEO made a proposed transaction offer to acquire Canadia Solar. Mulling the offer, a special committee has now advised the company’s board to cease its review of the proposal, highlighting that it could not find sufficient certainty in the CEO’s ability to secure the funding for the transaction. Following the news today the CEO has withdrawn his offer.
SCI Engineered Materials prompts record revenues amidst high thin film demand
EBITDA for the third quarter of 2018 increased 146%, revenue is also performing well, with the company expecting 40% increase throughout the second half of 2018, and the company reports that its gross profit has increased by 64% compared to 2017. Citing significant order increase for solar thin film products the materials suppliers touts strong three quarters of 2018.
SolarEdge’s latest quarterly results show robust growth
The inverter maker took number one spot in the US from SMA this year, and acquired majority stakes and IP in uninterrupted power supply company Gamatronic and storage system provider Kokam. While other companies have consolidated, SolarEdge managed to report robust results.
Korea to build world’s largest solar park
President Moon Jae-in yesterday announced plans for a 3 GW project. South Korea plans to add 30 GW of PV by 2030, to improve the country’s hitherto poor renewable energy performance.
French turn on nuclear opens €45 billion renewables investment opportunity
The French government is expected to show a draft plan on how to achieve nuclear generation reduction plans. After minister Hulot left the government in August, amidst disagreements with Macron’s handling of the nuclear lobby, the parliament has voted for a bill to reduce nuclear generation capacity. If the plans are realized in compliance with the climate targets, solar and wind deployment could grow significantly.
Hyundai to launch solar body kits for vehicles
In a joint effort with Kia Motors, Hyundai Motors is developing solar roofs and bodies for its EVs, hybrids and ICE vehicles to provide additional charging capacity. Depending on solar irradiation levels, the technology could provide 30-60% battery charge per day, the manufacturer says.
Europe’s largest commercial and industrial PV storage testbed launched
Testing lithium-ion, redox flow, and sodium-sulfur technologies, EPC provider CMI Energy wants to establish which types of system, or which combinations, are most suitable for different applications using the 4.2 MWh facility.
IRENA and southeast Asian nations pledge action on PV
The International Renewable Energy Agency wants to unlock the PV potential of the Asia-Pacific region with technical and planning support. It says a better flow of knowledge is needed to close the gap on a regional aim of generating 23% of energy from renewables by 2025.
Inverter maker and battery giant charge into US market
German inverter maker SMA has joined forces with China’s BYD after losing US market share to Solaredge, which this year linked up with Kostal to optimize communication interfaces between inverters and storage applications.
