Indian state-owned utility NTPC is collaborating with two German institutions, DLR Cologne and the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy (ISE), on a number of solar research programmes.
French PV company EREN Renewable Energy and developer Access Infra Africa, a subsidiary of Access Power, have begun construction of a 10MW solar PV plant in Uganda, which will be the largest project in the Eastern region of Sub-Saharan Africa once complete.
The deregulated electricity market which Japan launches in April could be a long-term way for PV’s contribution to the country’s energy mix to exceed the industry and government target of 7% by 2030.
Chile’s cumulative installed solar capacity has surpassed 1GW, according to the latest figures from Chilean renewable energy research institute (CIFES).
Brazil’s energy regulator ANEEL has approved a further nine projects from its 1.5GW Reserve Energy Auction held last November, bringing the total of qualified renewable energy projects to 52 out of the 53 awarded.
The Philippines installed a total of 122MW of grid-connected solar PV in 2015, taking its tally to 144MW, up from 22MW the previous year, according to the latest figures from the Philippines Department of Energy (DOE).
Turner Renewable Energy, owned by media moghul Ted Turner, will be one of the new owners of a 20MW thin-film PV plant in the US constructed by Solar Frontier Americas.
India-based solar EPC firm Sterling & Wilson (S&W) plans to open four offices in Africa by the end of this year, having opened a new solar division in Lagos, Nigeria.
India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited proposals for the implementation of its Solar Cities programme, involving turning 100 small townships, industrial towns and institutions into ‘green campuses’ involving renewable energy generation.
