German government releases draft of future joint auctions for solar and wind
Starting 2018, 400 MW of capacity will be allocated every year in joint auctions for wind and solar projects. German association BSW-Solar asks for a level playing field, and recommends other instruments to promote Germany’s Energy Transition.
Mercedez Benz enters U.S. battery market with Vivint partnership
The German manufacturer, in partnership with the No. 2 residential solar installer in the United States, will bring customizable home energy storage systems to the United States.
Interview: Europe needs big PV manufacturers
Xavier Daval, the president of the French solar association SER-SOLER, spoke with pv magazine about the necessity of creating a large European industrial group specialized in solar module production. Leaving solar manufacturing to China and the United States, Daval said, would make Europe energy dependent for the next decades.
Swedish Parliament approves cancellation of solar tax
The tax was applied to PV installations for self-consumption with a capacity of over 255 kW. The move is expected to revive Sweden’s solar market after the disappointing performance (due to the tax) registered last year.
Environmentalist and solar advocate Nicolas Hulot is France’s new energy minister
Hulot is a well-known journalist and environmentalist which has had a leading role in the French Green Party (Europe Écologie-Les Verts) in the past, and has always supported solar through his foundation.
Solar had no chance against wind in Spain’s renewable energy auction
Spanish solar association UNEF claims PV was discriminated against in the auction and announced it will appeal to the European Commission.
Test operation of solar glas façade completed succesfully
A façade including 75 glass-glass module with a total output of 15 Kw had been installed on a surface area of an office building in Lithuania. After six months of test operation the involved companies expect that the system’s yield could be up to 800 kWh/kW.
Solar Trade Association launches ‘Manifesto’ for UK solar
The UK trade body today launched its ‘Great British Solar Manifesto’, in a pre-election appeal to MPs outlining the contribution solar can make to the country over the next Parliament, if the right policy framework is put in place to fairly support market developments.
Midsummer sees profit increase for FY 2016
Financial results for 2016 posted by the Swedish thin film equipment supplier show that revenues almost doubled to SEK 60 million ($6.8 million) for the full year. Midsummer also saw a significant profit increase to SEK 10 million ($1.1 million).
Sky Solar posts $3 million net profit in 2016
Net income hit $3.3 million in the 12 months to the end of December, from a net loss of $1.6 million a year earlier, although the Hong Kong-based PV independent power producer recorded a net loss of $8.7 million in the fourth quarter, from $7.4 million in the final three months of 2015.
