Off-Grid

Mobile network operator Orange and French renewables firm Engie have partnered to pursue rural electrification in Africa.

The Obama administration is continuing a last-ditch push for renewables in the announcement of international clean energy funding and initiatives in a host of new incentives and international agreements that don’t require Congress’ consent.

Leading pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar provider PEG Africa has raised US$1.5 million in debt financing that will provide for enough solar home systems for 75,000 residents in Ghana.

Phoenix Solar joins Singapore-based floating PV testers, GIPCL issues LoIs to Vikram Solar over 80MW in Gujarat, Brazil solar industry needs BRL6 billion after December auction, Altus Power starts 6.2MW solar plant construction in Hawaii,

This weekend Senegal began construction on one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest solar offerings with the 20MW Senergy 2 project in Bokhol.

Community solar is emerging as an auspicious new source of demand in the US, opening up access to solar among previously excluded groups. Ethical Electric, a Washington-based renewable energy company providing 100% clean electricity to retail customers, recently launched a community solar division under the new name of CleanChoice Energy to get on board with the disruption. Managing director Laura Pagliarulo and chief impact officer Richard Graves discussed with PV Tech the company’s plans, its recent SunShot Initiative award, and how community solar is set to become ‘retail 2.0’.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed up to AU$18 million in funding to build the first phase of a AU$120 million solar-wind-storage project by Windlab and Eurus that will deliver renewable energy on demand.

Despite regulatory ambiguities, the general consensus from industry stakeholders at this year’s Solar Energy UK | Clean Energy Live exhibition is that Africa’s solar sector is ripe for new entrants, posing a significant opportunity that should not be missed.

Subject to regulatory risks and financing issues, the potential for solar deployment in Sub Saharan Africa is exponential, with the rooftop sector set to explode, according to Solarcentury’s Daniel Davies and other panel experts at this year’s Solar Energy UK | Clean Energy Live show.

The European subsidiary of leading module manufacturer Yingli Green has partnered with climate change charity SolarAid to launch an affordable solar-powered light for distribution in rural Africa.