CEFC hits 1 GW milestone, provides $207 million debt finance to Wirsol projects
After agreeing to provide debt finance to two Wirsol projects with a combined capacity of 200 MW, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has achieved the milestone of having funded 1 GW of large scale solar projects. The two loans to Wirsol allow construction of the projects to get underway before PPAs have been signed.
IHS Markit: Global solar installations to pass 100 GW in 2018
Market analyst IHS Markit has issued its first forecast for 2018 installations. It expects the global market to surpass the 100 GW mark for the first time ever, hitting 108 GW.
Akuo Energy to build 50 MW PV project in Bali
France’s Akuo Energy has achieved a milestone in the development of a 50 MW solar PV plant in Bali. The project indicates that Indonesia’s new renewable program may lead to an increase in PPAs for renewable projects in certain regions.
Maoneng signs PPA for 300 MW in New South Wales
Chinese/Australian developer Maoneng has signed a 15-year PPA to provide energy company AGL with 300 MW of PV projects, to provide up to 800,000 MWh of electricity per year. The projects form part of AGL’s plan to replace the coal-fired Liddell Power Station, set to close in 2022.
ARENA awards $29.2 million to 20 solar R&D projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced that it will award multiple Australian universities and research institutes with a total of $29.2 million to support early-stage research into new solar innovations.
Construction begins on Australia’s first hybrid solar+wind+storage plant in Queensland
Ground was broken on the 60 MW project in a ceremony held on Monday. Developer Windlab limited says it expects the $160 million project to be completed in late 2018.
CRC-P awards $8.34 million for three green projects
Under the Cooperative Research Center Program 4th Selection Round, the Australian Federal Government will extend a grant for a smart home energy management system. Other awarded green projects involve an energy storage technology alternative for lithium-ion batteries and innovative generation of low cost, zero-emission, reliable electricity.
ABB to supply storage, microgrid to Woodside gas platform
Independent oil and gas producer Woodside will deploy a battery and microgrid solution on one of its offshore gas platforms. The system is planned to reduce the facility’s gas consumption for electricity supply and its O&M costs.
ARENA grants $6 million to Greatcell to advance perovskites
A funding agreement has been signed between Australian solar cell producer Greatcell and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which pledged to allocate $6 million to underpin commercial development of perovskite solar cells.
EDF launches 30 GW solar plan
French energy giant, EDF has announced a plan to develop 30 GW of solar projects in France between 2020 and 2035.
