UK: solar installed by independent entrepreneurs topped 2 GW in 2015, study finds
Independent renewable entrepreneurs supplied 7.6% of the U.K.’s power demand last year, investing more than GBP 1 billion into renewable energy; solar capacity grew by 83% in this sector.
US: DOE grants $25m to aid grid integration of solar energy
Department of Energy pledges $25 million in funding as part of the extended Enabling Extreme Real-Time Grid Integration of Solar Energy program, part of the Grid Modernization Initative.
The pv magazine weekly news digest
IKEA starts selling home PV systems; First Solar reports solid year-to-year growth in Q1; Solar Impulse returns to the skies. Good news is not boring in the solar world.
Second-generation Powervault energy storage systems launched in the UK
The new product range, with enhanced features, has been launched at the same time as a Crowdcube crowdfunding campaign offering the opportunity to invest in the company as the storage market is expected to grow exponential.
Tesla prepares for major growth in U.S. behind-the-meter energy storage in 2016
GTM Research analysis of a Tesla filing shows that the company expects to sell a larger volume of batteries to Tesla than was represented by the entire behind-the-meter market last year.
Cyprus: Construction begins on five PV plants; storage to emerge
Cyprus’ once dormant large-scale PV plant sector appears to be awakening, while even more positive is a growing energy storage trend, which under the current circumstances seems irreversible.
Alice Springs: Solar city at centre of a fossil fuel controversy
Renewables have been erroneously blamed for a number of blackouts in Australia, which were actually the result of failing network equipment and fossil fuel generators.
Senate passes energy bill with benefits for solar and renewable energy integration
Solar is not a main feature of the bill that passed the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, but the legislation does contain perks for solar, as well as measures to study grid modernization and energy storage.
Leclanché picks up USD28.9 million order for 53 MWh Ontario storage project
Swiss-based lithium ion battery manufacturer Leclanché SA has booked a $28.9 million order for a 13 MW/53 MWh storage project in Ontario. The company says the battery project will be one of the largest stationary battery arrays when completed.
Australia: Network business to trial suburban solar+storage mini grid
An Australian electricity network owner will trial the provision of solar+storage in a suburban setting to see whether 14 homes can form a mini grid, to deliver grid and savings on customer utility bills. AusNet is running the trial in the city of Melbourne that will see one street become a self-sufficient mini grid.
