PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in the second quarter of 2018, were slightly higher than the previous quarter, although activity slumped specifically in June, post China’s decision to suddenly cap utility-scale and distributed generation (DG) projects (531 New Deal) but large-scale multi-gigawatt production plans in the first half of the year may have hidden an inevitable slowdown, despite the impact on downstream demand from China post the 531 New Deal.

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) leader JinkoSolar said it had supplied 10MW of its P-type mono PERC ‘Eagle’ modules (JKM295M-60) series for a PV power plant project built by Huaneng Renewables in Inner Mongolia, China.

Downer to build 349MW project in Australia for Belectric, Scatec bags 121MW in Ukraine, NTPC awards 22MW of floating solar in Kerala.

Kazakhstan has awarded 170MW of PV in its first solar auction with winning prices ranging between KZT 18.6-22.9 (US$0.051-0.063)/kWh.

A new zero upfront cost solution for rooftop solar PV for commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers has been launched by the renewables arm of Malaysian power giant Tenaga Nasional (TNB) and a similar solution for the residential segment will be available by year-end.

A trio of solar manufacturers have expressed strong confidence in the UK solar and storage markets as the country begins to realise post-subsidy opportunities.

Malaysia’s intent to progress its renewable energy sector was made clear in a number of announcements this week, including plans to install solar along a major highway, introducing both the first solar insurance scheme and monitoring system, as well as inking support agreements with powerful foreign organisations.

Dominion Energy is sampling the appetite for corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) before it launches a 3GW tender in Virginia.

In part II of PV Tech’s interview with Vikas Bansal, Head of Business Development - International Solar at Sterling & Wilson Solar, one of the world's largest PV EPC firms, we discuss how installers are having to adapt to new technologies in the realm of PV modules, balance of system, robotics and energy storage.

Akuo Energy and Norton Rose Fulbright reach financial close on 50MW Mali solar project, BayWa r.e. completes self-consumption solar project in Spain, Solar comes top in European survey, CDPQ increases stake in Azure Power.

D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments has signed off on an agreement to acquire the 100MW Willow Springs Solar Project in Kern County, California from First Solar.

The Bomen solar project will create over 200 construction jobs over the next year, and will power more than 30,000 homes once completed.

Total Eren has broken ground on the first stage of the Kiamal project in Victoria, Australia.

Trina Solar has delivered 123MW of PV modules to a solar project developed by DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine.

Duke Energy has released a proposal for a new program that will grow renewable energy options for both commercial and industrial customers in South Carolina.

The solar industry, in terms of deployment, will sadly not be growing by 30% in 2018. However, the good news is that the PV ModuleTech 2018 event – taking place in Penang, Malaysia on 23-24 October 2018 – will see more than 30% growth in the number of companies taking part and the number of attendees on site.

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS has as expected confirmed it would de-list from NASDAQ as part of its planned acquisition by Hanwha Solar Holdings Co, a subsidiary of Hanwha Chemical Corporation.

Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier Meyer Burger has announced a new restructuring program, which is intended to bring its breakeven level to around CHF 250 million per annum.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), which represents more than 3,000 major industrial members in Pakistan, has called upon the government to focus more on renewable energy due to the benefits this would bring to the national economy.

HSBC UK Pensions Scheme is to invest £250 million (US$329.9 million) in UK solar and wind farms under a new agreement with renewables investor Greencoat Capital.

A subsidiary of German developer Soventix has bagged a contract to build one of the largest solar PV projects in Zimbabwe standing at 22MW.

An agreement to buy 75% of Korean battery manufacturer Kokam gives SolarEdge a level of vertical integration that could make the PV company a ‘one-stop-shop’ for customers, while SolarEdge could diversify into areas outside solar energy.

The long-standing CEO of major PV inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology, Pierre-Pascal Urbon has suddenly stepped down from his executive role and plans to leave the company altogether at the end of December, 2018.

The small island nation of Palau in the western Pacific Ocean has moved a step closer to having what is said to be the largest ever microgrid spanning diesel, solar and battery energy storage.

Renewables firm AC Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Philippines-based industrial firm, Ayala Corporation has announced a further 80MW of solar projects in Vietnam, soon after detailing a 300MW pipeline in the country.

China-based polysilicon producer Daqo New Energy Corp said that its polysilicon production costs were targeted to reach US$6.80 per kilogram in 2020, once the capacity expansion to 70,000MT per annum had been completed.

Indian state-run power giant NTPC has issued a tender for 70MW of grid-connected floating solar at its Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant (RGCCPP) Kayamkulam in the southern state of Kerala.

Tunisia delays 70MW solar tender, Greenko completes acquisition of Orange Renewable and agrees to acquire Skeiron assets, Northern Territory approves 25MW solar project

Iberdrola has signed a power purchase agreement with Basque Country-based telecoms provider Euskaltel to supply electricity produced from a 391MW solar project, in what is said to be the first PPA signed between a power company and a telecoms operator in Spain.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has partnered with Monash University and technology provider Indra Australia to trial a microgrid as a first step to powering Monash’s Clayton campus entirely with renewable energy by 2030.