Aurés Solaire commissions Algeria’s second module factory
Algeria’s prime minister has inaugurated the country’s second solar module manufacturing facility in Batna. The French-Algerian module maker intends to double the factory’s capacity to 60 MW at a later stage.
Global installed PV capacity exceeds 300 GW, IEA PVPS
The world’s cumulative PV capacity had surpassed 303 GW at the of 2016, according to a report from IEA PVPS. Globally, solar power is now able to cover approximately 1.8% of power demand.
Scatec Solar secures PPA for 400 MW of solar plants in Egypt
The Norwegian solar developer has obtained a 25-year PPA for six PV power plants totaling 400 MW. The facilities will be located near Aswan in Upper Egypt.
Algeria adopts decree implementing tender for 4 GW of solar
Algeria’s government has published the long-awaited decree implementing the 4 GW solar auction in the country’s official journal. The decree provides more details on the upcoming bid for large-scale PV projects.
Engie’s solar offensive embraces Algeria
The French energy giant has showed strong interest in Algeria’s 4 GW solar plan. The general director of the company has discussed plans about solar and gas with the local ministry of energy.
Germany supports implementation phase of Tunisian Solar Plan
The German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ) will provide the Tunisian government with €7 million. The North African country will use the donation to finance the preliminary support project of its 1 GW renewable energy plan, which includes the installation of 650 MW of solar.
Morocco starts construction on 70 MW Noor Ouarzazate IV PV plant
The project is the fourth and final phase of the 580 MW Ouarzazate solar complex and part of the 170 MW Noor PV I Program for the development of solar PV. The plant is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018
Algeria’s 4 GW PV auction causes mixed reactions within local industry
The Algerian renewable energy sector is giving mixed reactions to the 4 GW solar tender recently announced by the government. Some operators fear that local enterprises will be excluded from future projects, while others claim that the new auction scheme will solve most of the issues created by the unapplied FIT scheme.
Kenyans embrace d.light’s D30 Pay-Go solution
Since launching in October 2016, off-grid solar solution supplier d.light has sold over 120,000 units of its D30 Pay-Go home system. Most of the sales were made in East Africa, with the Kenyan market accounting for the majority of sales.
Strategic siting can boost solar development in Africa, says Berkeley Lab
A report from U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) assesses the wind and solar potential of Africa. According to the study, the two technologies can play a major role in the energy economy of the continent, especially if strategic siting and international interconnections are implemented.
