New bacteria-based solar cell doubles density, reduces production cost
Researchers coated bacteria with a semiconductor before application to an anode glass. This process is reportedly cheap and taps energy produced by the bacteria through photosynthesis. Additionally, the researchers state power output is not impeded by overcast skies, making it ideal for northern Europe, Canada, mines and other low-light environments.
Canada’s Nova Scotia launches rebate program for residential PV
Solar rebates granted through the scheme are expected to cover around 30% of the costs of a residential PV project.
Ontario cancels solar rebates program two months after its launch
The decision was taken by the incoming Ontario premier, Doug Ford. The US$70 million scheme had been conceived to support residential and commercial solar-plus-storage solutions installed under net metering.
Court strikes down Canadian solar makers’ attempt to stay solar tariffs
Three manufacturers with Canadian module assembly have had no luck in trying to get a preliminary injunction against the Section 201 tariffs.
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board world’s first to issue Green Bonds
Canada’s pension fund is the world’s first to establish a Green Bond. The growing acceptance for renewable energy assets from sovereign wealth funds indicates a solid and healthy business climate for renewable energy, and could have positive effects for the industry in the future.
Bilateral PPAs help independent retailers drive large scale Australian solar
Commercial electricity retailer Flow Power has signed an offtake deal through to 2030 for a quarter of the production from the Kiamal Solar Farm, in Victoria. Total Eren – developer of the $90 million, 200 MW project – has now signed three bilateral PPAs with offtakers – pointing the way for project developers as large-scale solar’s competiveness continues to grow.
Solar becoming par for the course in Japan
LG’s 56 MW PV park is the group’s largest in Japan and will join the string of energy schemes feeding big data into the conglomerate’s Energy Optimization Center, when it opens this year.
Greenbriar Capital secures financing for 100 MW of solar in Puerto Rico
The project is part of a 280 MW pipeline the Caribbean island is hoping to build in its effort to restore a safe and stable power supply to the population.
ADB finances its first utility-scale PV plant in $160 million deal
Asia’s largest IPP receives funds to develop renewable energy assets in line with Indonesia’s plans to increase renewable generation to 23% by 2025. The ADB’s support for PV at this scale is novel and could help overcome financing gaps that have hindered PV development in emerging nations
CDPQ takes majority stake in Invenergy Renewables
Invenergy plans to maintain day-to-day management of its renewable energy business, with the Québecois fund manager increasing its economic stake to 52%.
