Markets & Finance

UPDATED: Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a request for bids (RfB) for a 160MW hybrid solar and wind project combined with battery energy storage in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The lowest bid quoted in Indian state-run utility NTPC’s auction for 2GW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar was INR2.59/kWh (US$0.037), a 14 paisa rise from the L1 tariff in the most recent 2GW PV auction in India.

Australia’s Coalition Party room has signed off on the controversial National Energy Guarantee (NEG) moving it onto the next stage of consultation.

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) members JinkoSolar and Hanwha Q CELLS have both updated plans to start solar module assembly manufacturing in the US, post the US Section 201 trade case.

Developer and EPC firm Conergy Asia has been acquired by the Green Investment Group (GIG).

India’s Ministry of Finance has temporarily deferred its imposition of a 25% safeguard duty on solar cell and module imports in compliance with a stay issued by the High Court of Orissa.

India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an amendment to its National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, clarifying that any form of energy storage, not just batteries, can be used in hybrid projects.

WGL Energy Systems has secured a US$75 million financing package from M&T Bank to provide funding for future PV projects in the US.

Leading ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JinkoSolar has reported higher than guided second quarter PV module shipments and reiterated total shipments guidance to be in the range of 11.5GW to 12GW in 2018.

PV developer and manufacturer Solar Philippines plans to enter the Indian solar market, but then use that experience to become even more competitive in Southeast Asia.