Ben Willis

Authorities in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, have been ordered to finance a US$16 million solar system as a penalty for failing to curb air pollution from a city landfill site.

Trade body the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) has established a task force to develop best practice guidelines in the field of solar operations and maintenance (O&M).

Germany-based PV materials manufacturer Heraeus is to open new R&D centres in mainland China and Taiwan.

Japanese firm Solar Frontier has completed its acquisition of the US project pipeline of developer Gestamp Solar.

Hi-tech equipment manufacturer Manz has set a new efficiency record for a CIGS thin-film module of 16%.

Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are to jointly launch a new R&D centre to support deployment of solar in the emirate.

Ghana has put the brakes on its utility-scale solar market with the West African country establishing a temporary cap of 150MW.

Pay-as-you go solar systems are to be installed in 100,000 off-grid households in rural Ghana under a programme unveiled today.

Ahead of a two-day event focusing on West Africa, Ben Willis asks whether political leaders are prepared to take the necessary decisions to help solar energy fulfil its huge potential in the region.

Six PV projects totalling 415MW have been selected under the fourth round of South Africa’s national renewable energy procurement programme.