Asia Pacific

Large Scale_Solar PV Project

Bangladesh Begins To Realise Solar Potential With 200MW Teknaf Solar PV Project

Bangladesh has begun to realise its immense solar potential and perhaps, also the associated challenges. Southern Solar Power Ltd, a Bangladesh-based subsidiary of the now-bankrupt US-based SunEdison is to build a solar power plant, within 18 months and will be the lead developer of the solar PV project. The project is the biggest ever solar-based electricity generation plant in Bangladesh and will be built at Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, costing an estimated $300m.

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Kyocera, Mitsubishi, Tokyo Century And Yonden Complete 14.5 MW PV Plant In Japan

Takacho Yasudago Mega Solar Hatsuden LLC, an enterprise jointly established in October 2014 by Kyocera Corporation, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., Tokyo Century Corporation and Yonden Engineering Company, has announced the completion of a 14.5 MW solar power plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The project has significant local community engagement as it seeks to revitalise it and the installation, which began operation on November 2, generates an estimated 16,060 MWh per year — enough to power 5,000 typical households.

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Gamesa Consolidates In India, Boosted By 304 MW At Five More Wind Farm Projects

Gamesa continues to make further inroads into the Indian market. It has been present in India, where it has installed over 3,000 MW, since 2009. According to MAKE Consultancy, it is the leading OEM in India, with a market share of 34% in 2015 (up from 25% in 2014), having dominated this market for three years in a row. Gamesa’s key position in the Indian market is a significant attractor for Siemens, which has agreed in June, this year, to merge its wind business with its Spain-based rival; and according to Gamesa, Make is anticipating India’s wind market to add 30GW by 2025.

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Gamesa Inks 95MW Deal To Supply Custom-Designed Wind Turbines In China

Gamesa continues to grow in China, having signed new agreements for the supply of 95 MW. These turbines are custom-designed to withstand the extreme winds typical of this coastal area which is often hit by typhoons. With the introduction of its new G114-2.5 MW wind turbines into China, Gamesa has now achieved a new product strategy milestone. The company will supply 38 (95 MW) of these turbines to state-owned developer Zhognmin at two wind complexes. These are due for delivery during the second quarter of 2017 and the project is commissioned by the first quarter of 2018.

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Trina Solar Sets New World Record For PV Solar Module Efficiency

Trina Solar Limited has announced that its PV Laboratory has set a new world record of 19.86% aperture efficiency for its high-efficiency “Honey Plus” multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) solar module, which contains 120 pieces of P-type mc-Si solar cells (156 x 78mm2). The result has been independently verified by the Fraunhofer Lab in Germany. Following the previous record of 19.14% announced in April 2015, Trina achieved the new efficiency of 19.86%, approximately 3.8% higher, within 18 months.

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German-Led B20 Clean Energy Taskforce Boosted By Addition Of Chinese Co-Chair

JinkoSolar has announced that it was appointed as one of the six co-chairs for the Business 20 (B20) ECRE Taskforce, under the leadership of the German G20 Presidency. This is the second consecutive year that JinkoSolar, the only Chinese enterprise, and solar PV Company, participated in the B20 process. It is also the first time the Energy, Climate & Resource Efficiency (ECRE) Taskforce accepted JinkoSolar’s recommendation to include solar PV renewable energy as a key topic of discussion at B20 in Germany next year.

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Gamesa Secures 50MW Wind Farm Project With ReNew Power In Karnataka, India

Gamesa has secured a new order in India from ReNew Power, one of India’s leading independent power producers (IPP), for the EPC construction of a 50MW wind farm located in Bijapur, in the state of Karnataka. The agreement with ReNew Power encompasses the installation of 25 G114-2.0 MW class S turbines. With a tower height of 106 metres, this new turbine variant is custom-designed for the low wind speed sites typical of India. Since it’s a turnkey contract, Gamesa will also provide the infrastructure needed to install and operate the facility. The wind farm’s commissioning is scheduled for March 2017.

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d.light Raises $22m To Expand Its PayGo Business Into New Off-Grid Solar Markets

d.light has announced it has secured $22.5 million in financing to grow its PayGo business globally and support its mission of providing solar energy solutions for households and small businesses around the world, transforming the way off-grid families use and pay for power. The company raised $15 million in Series D equity from KawiSafi Ventures Fund, Energy Access Ventures, Omidyar Network and NewQuest Capital Partners. Debt funding of $2.5 million was also raised through SunFunder.

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Tata Acquires Welspun And Creates The Largest Renewables Entity In India

Tata Power Renewables (TPREL), has completed its acquisition of 100% shareholding in Welspun Renewables (WREPL). WREPL has 1,140 MW of projects comprising of about 990 MW Solar and about 150 MW Wind. TPREL has 312 MW of Renewable capacity with a further 500 MW of Renewable assets being carved out of Tata Power into TPREL. In addition, about 400 MW of projects are being implemented. Thus, TPREL will have a renewable portfolio of about 2,300 MW, making it the largest Renewable Power Company in India.

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General Motors Commits to 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2050

General Motors plans to generate or source all electrical power for its 350 operations in 59 countries with 100 percent renewable energy — such as wind, sun, and landfill gas — by 2050. “Establishing a 100 percent renewable energy goal helps us better serve society by reducing environmental impact,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “This pursuit of renewable energy benefits our customers and communities through cleaner air while strengthening our business through lower and more stable energy costs.”

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Australia Sets World Record For Solar Thermal Efficiency With 97% Conversion

Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) have set a world record for efficiency for a solar thermal dish generating steam that could be used for power stations. The team designed and built a new receiver for the solar concentrator dish at ANU, halving losses and achieving a 97 percent conversion of sunlight into steam. The breakthrough could lead to the generation of cheaper base-load electricity from renewable energy and help lower carbon emissions which cause global warming.