Brazil allocates 806 MW of solar in A-4 auction, final average price drops to $35.2/MWh
Around 20 GW of solar PV projects were initially competing in the contest. PV was again the source with the largest share, accounting for around 80% of total assigned capacity. The final average price for solar was 118 BRL (US$35.2)/MWh.
World Bank approves another $250 million guarantee to support renewables in Argentina
This new transaction is intended to support projects selected in Round 3 of Argentina’s renewable energy program for large-scale projects. The funds are expected to leverage private investments for an amount that should be nine times higher than the value of the guarantee.
NexTracker provides trackers for Latin America’s largest PV project
The solar trackers made by the U.S. manufacturer will be used for the construction of the 754 MW Villanueva solar project in Torreón, in the Mexican state of Coahuila.
Acciona secures solar PPA from Chilean mining company ENAMI
The National Mining Company of Chile (ENAMI) will be the first Chilean mining company that will have all of its electricity demand covered by clean energy sources. Supply of electricity under the long-term PPA will begin in April 2018.
Colombia issues regulation for distributed solar generation
Colombia’s Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission approved the 2018 Resolution CREG 030 last Friday, which regulates how solar PV system owners can sell surplus power to the National Interconnected System under net metering.
Brazil prepares to join ISA, reaches 200 MW of solar DG
Twenty countries, including Brazil, have already ratified their alliance with the organization. For the executive president of ABSOLAR, the initiative will represent a strategic step to position Brazil as a main player in the international solar PV sector. Meanwhile, the cumulative installed capacity of DGPV system connected to the Brazilian grid has reached 200 MW.
Chile’s energy regulator to use Blockchain
The Chilean National Energy Commission will become the country’s first public entity to adopt such technology, which it will begin to use in March.
Enel switches on 103 MW solar plant in the Brazilian state of Bahia
The $110 million project is expected to generate 220 GWh per year.
The unexpected benefits of replacing tobacco plantations with solar farms
Although tobacco consumption is the key cause of avoidable deaths worldwide, its cultivation remains the main source of income for many farmers. Now, two researchers from the Michigan Technological University claim that converting tobacco fields to solar farms could be beneficial for two purposes: reducing deaths and helping solar energy fight climate change.
Tesla shows interest in Chilean lithium
The head of the Chilean Economic Development Agency (Corfo), Eduardo Bitran said that Tesla may partner with local lithium manufacturer, SQM in the construction of a factory. The Chilean government and SQM have recently settled a dispute that began in 2014.
