Solar Frontier to develop 100 MW in UK
Japanese thin film producer and project developer Solar Frontier has entered into agreement to supply and construct a 100 MW pipeline of projects in the UK. Construction on the first project will take place in Q3 2015.
Australia: Commercial rooftop sector gets unexpected budget boost
The small commercial rooftop market in Australia could be set to get a short-term boost, under a provision targeted at small businesses in the federal budget handed down this week. The measure would allow businesses with annual revenues of under AUD$2 million (US$1.6 million) to immediately write off purchases up to AUD$20,000 (US$16,000) against their tax bill.
Flextronics to produce NEXTracker's SPT controller
U.S.-based NEXTracker has selected global OEM electronics manufacturer Flextronics to produce its Self-Powered Tracking (SPT) controllers. The move will allow “a rapid commercial rollout of SPT”, the companies state.
Con Edison acquires 140 MW of Californian solar projects
Subsidiary of Consolidated Edison snaps up six shovel-ready PV projects from SolarReserve LLC and GCL Solar Energy, PPAs agreed with SCE and PG&E.
Jinko signs 1 GW supply agreement with CMNE
JinkoSolar has signed a two-year, 1 GW module supply deal with China Minsheng New Energy (CMNE), a subsidiary of China Minsheng Investment Corp. The modules will be used to develop PV power plant projects in China in 2015 and 2016.
Elkem finalizes REC Solar purchase
The Chinese-owned, Norway-based Elkem AS has completed the acquisition of REC Solar, the largest suppliers of solar panels in Europe.
Work underway on Finland's largest PV system
Helsinki Energy Company Helen has begun planning work on what will become Finland’s largest PV system. Customers will rent the panels for EUR 4.40 a month.
EPIA launches O&M best practice taskforce
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has launched an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) taskforce to develop best practice guidelines for the fast-growing sector. EPIA brought together stakeholders, service providers and asset managers, with the group meeting for the first time on April 23.
United Photovoltaics acquires 210 MW of China projects
A subsidiary of United Photovoltaics (United PV) has acquired five PV power plants in Inner Mongolia and the Zhejian Province in China from a group of development companies. United PV has paid RMB105 million (US$16.91 million) in cash for the projects from a five project development companies.
Germany: KfW subsidizes over 10,000 solar battery systems
Demand for solar power storage systems in Germany is continuing to rise, with reports that over 10,000 storage batteries for PV systems have been subsidized since 2013. Q1 2015, meanwhile, has seen a 40% YOY increase in the subsidization of such systems.
