Rural electrification set to transform Asia-Pacific microgrid market
The proliferation of microgrids in Asia-Pacific has been encouraged by rural electrification programs in developing countries, and the establishment of commercial microgrids in developed nations, according to Frost & Sullivan.
Solar microinverter, power optimizer market to surpass $1 billion in 2018
Key markets like the U.S., the U.K. and Australia are driving demand for module-level power electronics, according to IHS. The market has already grown to more than $300 million.
Suntech, Greenfield team up with youmex in UK
German green energy financier youmex will arrange construction loans, long-term financing and also sell PV solar power plants to investors, while Greenfield and Suntech will provide EPC services and PV panels, respectively.
ZNShine Solar to build 31 MW power plant in Japan
The Chinese group is expanding its EPC activities in Japan and East Asia. Its EPC subsidiary Power Max will build the plant in the city of Hamada.
EDF Renewable Energy to sell 57 MW of solar projects to Dominion
The sale of the two California projects, which consist of four sites, brings the total of projects EDF RE has sold to Dominion to 84 MW.
Solar Frontier supplies 21.3 MW project in Japan
Ube Group and Showa Shell Sekiyu have brought on stream one of Yamaguchi Prefecture’s largest PV plants using Solar Frontier’s high-performance CIS modules.
California calls for scaled-down version of Palen CSP project
Regulators at the California Energy Commission have recommended approval of a new plan for the Palen solar CSP project with a single solar tower and reduced acreage. A final decision on the controversial project will be made on October 29.
ISC Konstanz, MegaCell sign transfer deal for N-Type BiSoN cell technology
The agreement will help Franco Traverso’s recently launched Italian cell company to reach an annual capacity of 80 MW for bifacial BiSoN solar cells with 30% more energy yield. The German R&D institute’s partnership with Centrotherm will further enhance efficiency and reduce manufacturing cost of BiSoN technology.
Ignite Power set to light up homes in Rwanda
“Distributed solar energy is enabling communities to leapfrog beyond the grid and bring power quicker and cheaper to African communities,” says Clean Access Initiative Chairman Yariv Cohen.
ABB going big on storage and renewables
Interview: Otto Preiss, the Group Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Power Conversion, spoke to pv magazine about the growing opportunities in the transition of the utility sector, the growing significance of distributed generation and smart grids as well as electric mobility and increased mass transportation coming with growing urbanization.
