Policy

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’.

Germany’s Federal Network Agency has increased the capacity up for grabs in its sixth round tender for large-scale solar PV systems to 160MW.

On Friday, in Arlington, Arizona, the Department of Navy (DON), Department of Energy (DOE), and developer Sempra Energy were joined by the White House Office of Federal Sustainability for the inauguration of a 210MW solar facility that facility represents the federal government’s larges investment in clean energy history.

Wuxi Suntech the PV module manufacturing arm of renewable energy group, Shunfeng International Clean Energy (SFCE) said it had voluntarily withdrawn from the European Union’s ‘Price Undertaking Agreement’ better known as the MIP (Minimum Import Price).

In this week's Movers & Shakers segment, PV Tech reports on management shuffles in yieldcos and Chinese module manufacturers. In addition, a Canadian energy company continues its US expansion, the REEEAC appoints new members and CleanChoice Energy reveals how community solar can become 'retail 2.0'.

Global Passivated Emitter Rear Contact (PERC) cell capacity has the potential to double next year according to Andreas Liebheit, president of metallization paste producer Heraeus Photovoltaics.

Solar Brokers Canada, a popular Canadian residential solar provider has selected Sungevity as a partner in its foray into the US market.

Tesla Motors and SolarCity are closer to combining their empires to form what could be the world’s largest solar and energy storage company, as the final referendum for the merger has been officially set for 17 November 2016.

Nigeria’s Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) has approved a new regulation that gives distribution companies licences to use mini-grids to accelerate electrification across the country.

On the day I left Taiwan after a busy week meeting with PV suppliers up and down the supply chain in May, 2016 that was organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) the country elected its first female president, Tsai Ing-wen.