Mark Hutchins
USTDA awards grant for solar in Burkina Faso
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a grant to Société de Production d’Energie Solaire de Kodéni SAS, a Burkina Faso based solar industry association. The grant will fund feasibility studies for two 17 MW PV plants to be located in the southwest of the country.
Apple Supplier Ibiden to invest in 12 MW PV installations
Japanese electronics company Ibiden, a major component supplier to Apple, will power all of its manufacturing for the U.S. tech giant with renewable energy. To meet this pledge, Ibiden will invest in solar projects with a total capacity of more than 12 MW, including one of Japan’s largest floating PV projects.
UK Spring Budget: Chancellor silent on solar
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond made no mention of solar energy in today’s Spring Budget Announcement. This leaves the UK’s rooftop solar segment facing a tax hike of up to 800% in the financial year beginning next month.
Yingli Green Energy forms special committee for resolution of debt issues
Chinese tier-1 solar manufacturer Yingli Green Energy today announced the formation of a committee of independent directors to assess the company’s situation. The committee will recommend strategic improvements and alternatives, in order to improve Yingli’s debt structure.
UK Solar rate hike could add GBP 1.8 million to schools tax bill
New research suggests that schools in England and Wales that have installed solar panels will collectively face an additional GBP 1.8 million in taxes, as the Government pushes forward plans to remove tax exemptions on small commercial installations.
Materion completes acquisition of Heraeus target materials business
German technology group Heraeus and U.S. company Materion Advanced Materials have announced the completion of the latter’s acquisition of the target materials business belonging to Heraeus.
Singulus receives new order for CIGS production equipment
Singulus technologies has announced the signing of a contract worth more than €20 million to supply systems to a Chinese module manufacturer, the subsidiary of a major public energy company.
pv magazine Technology Highlights: Jury announcement
pv magazine is very pleased to announce the six-member jury that will meet to decide this year’s Technology Highlights feature and award. The award recognizes excellence in PV production materials and equipment supply.
Foresight Solar Fund looks to raise more than GBP 50 million in new investments
The UK based investment group has announced its intention to raise further investments worth more than GBP 50 million (US$ 61.2 million), with the aim of acquiring up to 250 MW of solar power plants in the UK, as well as expanding into South Africa.
Solar panels for world’s first combined hydro & floating PV project installed in Portugal
French floating PV specialists Ciel & Terre have installed a 220 kW PV installation at a hydroelectric dam on Portugal’s Rabagão River. Though a comparatively small installation, this represents the first time the two technologies have been used in tandem at utility scale.
