Emerging countries imported $1.8bn of Chinese solar modules in Q1, finds BNEF
More than half of all Chinese solar shipments in March this year went to India, while emerging countries alone now account for 60% of China’s PV exports, according to the latest Bloomberg New Energy Finance 3Q Frontier Power Market Outlook.
VC funding for battery, smart grid and efficiency tech tops $1bn in H1 2017, finds Mercom report
More than $1 billion raised in the first half of 2017 by battery storage, smart grid and energy efficiency companies – up from $807m in H1 2016, finds latest Mercom Capital Group report.
Behind the world’s first Meyer Burger SmartWire line
While it has been slow to gain major traction in manufacturing, Meyer Burger’s SmartWire cell interconnection technology now has a significant reference application, in the form Polish manufacturer Hanplast.
Recycling of PV modules: New Fraunhofer study sheds light on end of life issues
Seeking to answer what is happening with final costs once recycling becomes and issue at PV module end-of-life, backsheet manufacturer Coveme points to the importance of fluorine-free backsheets for the PV industry, as they keep the costs down while being environmentally friendly.
Solar PV tenders top 17.4 GW with Europe out in front, GTM Research finds
As demand is becoming geographically diversified, with strong growth of emerging markets set to make up for slowing demand in East Asia, GTM Research is now tracking 17.4 GW of confirmed solar tenders between Q2 and the end of 2019 across the globe, 9.6 GW of which is expected to be awarded in Q3 2017.
Clean energy spending in 2016 hits 43% share of total supply investment, finds IEA
The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Investment report sees global spending on energy fall by 12% overall in 2016, marking the second-consecutive year that investment has dropped as less money is poured into costly gas and oil infrastructure. Clean energy spending, meanwhile, is on the up.
Report: Global corporate funding of solar reached $4.6 billion in first half of 2017
Despite a robust first quarter, Mercom CEO Raj Prabhu says the uncertainty surrounding the Suniva trade case caused a dip in the second quarter and could have devastating effects going forward.
Wind, solar to be cheapest power source in G20 by 2030, Greenpeace study finds
In around half of the G20 countries, renewables have been equal or cheaper in price to electricity generated from coal and nuclear power plants since 2015, and are set to outcompete all other energy sources in the world’s 20 major economies by 2030, finds a new study commissioned by Greenpeace Germany.
Interview: Soltec CEO Raúl Morales discusses the energy yield advantages of trackers
The CEO of Soltec talks to pv magazine about the firm’s solar trackers, its innovation process and the ability of tracker technology to improve plant owners’ returns on investment.
G20 nations dragging their heels on low-carbon transition, reports find
Study from Climate Transparency shows that while green finance among G20 nations has been stepped up, legacy commitments to fossil fuels mean countries will miss “well below 2 degree” warming limit set at Paris Agreement. Fossil fuel spending still four times higher than renewable spending, Oil Change International report also finds.
