Solar

Clean Energy_Innovation_181

BNEF – Overall Clean Energy Investment Slows, Yet Wind Surges To Record Levels

New investment in clean energy worldwide fell 18% last year to $287.5bn, despite a record year for offshore wind, according to latest figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Chinese slowdown and falling costs of solar power were two of the reasons. However, even though overall investment in clean energy was down in 2016, the total capacity installed was not. Estimates from BNEF’s analysis teams are that a record 70GW of solar were added last year, up from 56GW in 2015, plus 56.5GW of wind, down from 63GW but the second-highest figure ever.

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Tata Commissions Solar And Wind Projects, Strengthens Position In India

Speaking on this, Rahul Shah, CEO & Executive Director, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, said, “With the commissioning of these 2 projects, TPREL continues to fortify its position of being the largest renewable energy company in the country. Our strategic approach is in line with Tata Power’s aim to expand its clean energy portfolio up to 35-40% by 2025. We are extremely proud of this development and we continue to seek to grow our portfolio in India and in select international markets through organic and inorganic opportunities.”

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Launch Of Coatings That Turns Existing Buildings And Vehicles Into Power Sources

SolarWindow Technologies has announced plans to develop a superb problem-solving technology of electricity-generating flexible glass. It anticipates installing these sheets of electricity-generating glass veneers over existing skyscraper windows, turning entire buildings into vertical power generators and helping reduce their carbon footprint. These same veneers could be applied to flat and curved surfaces on automobiles, trucks, buses, aeroplanes, and boats to generate onboard electrical power.

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Chile Marches On: Santiago Solar Awards Elecnor $117m Solar PV Plant Contract

Elecnor is to strengthen its Solar PV position in Chile. It has won the USD 117.2 million (equivalent to approximately EUR 110.8 million) contract to build a solar PV plant in Chile. The facility, with a capacity of 115 MWp, will be in the municipality of Til Til, to the north of Santiago, in the Metropolitan Region. The contract was awarded by Santiago Solar, whose shareholders are Andes Mining & Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles, and encompasses the engineering, supply, assembly and start-up of the plant and the high-voltage evacuation infrastructure via a GIS substation connected with a high-voltage line. The project will be financed by a syndicate of banks headed by Crédit Agricole in New York.

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Emerging Uganda: Building Energy Achieves Financial Close For First Solar Plant

Uganda has one of the lowest electricity consumption per capita in the world, with an average electrification rate of 18.2%. The country’s power sector suffered from a shortage of generating capacity and a lack of reliable and affordable electricity is hindering more sustainable economic growth. In this scenario, the project will also contribute to the socio-economic development of the Tororo area in Eastern Uganda, where it is located. Additionally, it will play a role in terms of employment, thanks to the creation of 250 jobs during the construction phase, and 8 local jobs during the operational one. The solar plant will serve the equivalent of 36,200 people via generation and has an annual avoided GHG rate of 7,400 tCO2eq.USD 19.6 million for the construction of the 10 MW (14GWh/y) Tororo Solar North PV power project which will be ready in about 7 months.

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Enel Signs $115m USD Loan Agreement To Promote Renewable Investments In Brazil

The Enel Group and the Brazilian Development Bank, the main financing agency for development in Brazil, have signed a 20-year term loan agreement worth around $115m USD to promote renewable investments. The funding will also cover part of the investment required to build the recently inaugurated 102 MW Apiacas hydropower cluster, located in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil’s Central-West Region. “We’re extremely pleased with the outcome of this transaction, which is a testament to the solidity of our Brazilian business,” said Francesco Venturini, Enel’s Head of Global Renewable Energies.

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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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Fraunhofer Enables Manufacturers Of PV Modules To Keep Pace With Tech Advances

With SmartCalc.CTM, Fraunhofer ISE has developed a software that helps reduce the cell-to-module power losses in PV module manufacturing. Research and industry invest lots of know-how in improving solar cell efficiency. In order that PV modules benefit from the advances in cell efficiency, the cell-to-module integration process must be performed reliably with low losses. The software was developed with this in mind and harnesses the near 40-year expertise, in this field, of Fraunhofer.

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New Low Carbon Era Arrives for the UK. Renewables Now Mainstream, Wind Central

New Government figures show that the UK has passed the point where we have a low carbon electricity system. For the first time, renewables and nuclear are delivering 50% of our electricity, thanks to continued dramatic growth in renewable generation. Coal use and fuel imports are falling dramatically in response as we balance our economy, increase energy efficiency, cut costs and cut carbon.

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NextEra Energy And TVA Commission 75MW Solar Energy Project. Largest In Alabama

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and NextEra Energy Resources have joined local leaders to celebrate the commissioning of Alabama’s largest solar energy project. The River Bend Solar Energy Center features more than 300,000 solar panels with trackers that follow the sun from east to west each day to maximise energy production. Together, they generate 75MW, or enough to power more than 15,000 homes. The energy will serve TVA consumers starting this year, under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

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French Giant Total To Install PV Solar Panels In 5,000 Service Stations Globally

Total is launching a program to equip 5,000 of its service stations worldwide with solar panels within five years, including 800 in France. The total solar capacity to be installed is about 200 MW, equivalent to the amount of electricity used to power a city of 200,000 people. The project represents an investment of around $300 million and is projected to cut the company’s carbon emissions by 100,000 tonnes annually and reduce energy costs by $40m each year. It’s a high-profile move in what it sees as a growth sector, highlighting a greater industry focus on renewables.