The new chairman of the Global Solar Council (GSC), Gongshan Zhu the founder, chairman and largest shareholder in the largest group of affiliated companies in the solar industry, GCL Group wants its members to raise between US$3 billion and US$5 billion for a new foundation to fund PV power plant projects as part of China’s ‘One Road and Belt’ business initiative.
Acwa Power has contracted China’s Chint Group to provide EPC services for three solar PV plants totalling 165.5MW at the Benban Solar Park in Aswan, Egypt.
The IFC has arranged a financing package of up to US$188 million for Jordan’s largest PV plant, a 200MWac / 248MWdc project developed by Masdar Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company.
Dealing with module warranties from out of business manufacturers is a standard problem in today’s market, according to representatives from an advisory firm that oversaw one of the largest renewable energy deals to date.
Independent power producer Coronal Energy has closed US$235 million in total financing, which includes tax equity and debt for its Gulf Coast Solar Center portfolio.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) has reported that Global solar investments topped US$160.8 billion in 2017, an 18% increase over the previous year and importantly, despite capital costs declining around 25%.
The Australian Capital Territory, the country’s federal district and home of national capital Canberra, is supporting the planned roll-out of 36MW of customer-sited batteries by funding a further AU$3 million (US$2.39 million) in rebates.
Major oil company Shell and European utility ENGIE are among investors to have pumped US$20 million into Husk Power Systems, a developer of microgrids which is expanding its efforts in Asia and Africa.
