UK-based off-grid solar company BBOXX has secured a pioneering package of US$4 million in debt financing from Togo-based bank Union Togolaise de Banque (UTB) to expand its services across the African country.
Leading CdTe thin-film module manufacturer First Solar is increasing its shipment guidance for 2018, due to plans to bring back online 180MW of mothballed Series 4 module capacity at its Perrysburg, Ohio manufacturing facility.
The major manufacturing transition by First Solar to its large-area Series 6 CdTe thin-film module format is well underway and, going by recent management commentary in its fourth quarter 2017 conference call with financial analysts, has increased its tempo slightly, not least due to updated spending plans for the second time in a few months.
NextEra Energy is suing the US Treasury Department for more than US$135 million claiming that it miscalculated grants owed to it for the Silver State Solar project in Nevada.
Ayala Corporation, part of Filipino conglomerate Ayala Group, has acquired a controlling stake in Silicon Valley-based firm Merlin Solar Technologies, which produces flexible, mobile and wearable crystalline silicon solar modules.
Mastercard and off-grid solar firm M-KOPA are to pilot a new payment technology to support pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar opportunities in Uganda, with plans to roll out across East Africa.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to provide a loan of US$235 million to Thai energy firm B. Grimm Power to develop renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia.
The government of India will come down hard on those flouting the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) rules – in WTO permitted cases – where imported solar modules are used, but declared as locally made.
Malaysia and the Philippines have joined the growing list of countries heading to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to request consultations with the US over its 30% solar import tariffs, according to WTO filings both dated 21 February.
Inline solar cell measurement equipment specialist Aurora Solar Technologies (AST) is expecting 2018 to be a record year for new orders, as major PV manufacturers continue to migrate and ramp high-efficiency solar cells such as monocrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) and bifacial cell technologies.
