United Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. (URE), the planned name for three of Taiwan’s merchant solar cell and module producers, Gintech Energy Corp, Neo Solar Power (NSP) and Solartech Energy are still evaluating the commercial rationale of establishing a US-based PV manufacturing plant, post the merger, which is being targeted for October 1, 2018.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a US$5.2 million funding initiative that will examine how PV projects, wind farms and storage systems can offer grid stability and security services.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar reported first quarter 2018 financial results that were better than expected as revenue and shipments were higher than guided with further PV power plant sales completed in the quarter.
Bidding in the Indian solar industry has been deemed irrationally aggressive by 70% of CEOs responding to a survey from consultancy firm Bridge to India, however, sentiment remains upbeat about growth prospects and the overall industry.
Indian solar developer Azure Power has surpassed 1GW of operating solar capacity, with the completion of a 50MW project in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Brazil Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has said it expects the 49 solar projects contracted in the last A-4 energy auctions to generate investments of BRL8 billion (~US$2.2 billion) by 2021 and create a further 1.8GW of power capacity.
Queensland is currently the leading Australian state for large-scale solar development and is pushing the country towards another record year, according to Clean Energy Council chief executive Kane Thornton.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems is looking to expand its component outsourcing to include solar equipment production in China to remain competitive.
UPDATED: India’s Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has released its ‘National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy’ seeking to encourage hybridisation of projects due to the benefits they offer for grid integration.
