Africa & Middle East

Iran is planning to spend US$60 million on solar projects this year, up from US$12 million last year, according to reports.

First Solar’s 52MW PV plant in Jordan has a new partner going forward. Mitsubishi Corporation, through their subsidiary Diamond Generating Europe, Ltd., will operate a 35% equity share of the Shams Ma’an plant.

System provider, Petra Solar, and its partner, the Washington DC-based renewable infrastructure business group, Caspian Renewable Energy, have completed a 5MW installation in Bahrain.

A new joint venture targeting India’s PV-diesel hybrid market has been established between a US independent power producer and an Italian engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firm.

Qatar Solar Energy (QSE), which recently announced the opening of a 300MW integrated PV module manufacturing plant, will use GT Advanced Technologies' next-generation ‘HiCz 200’ continuous feeding monocrystalline puller technology, the equipment supplier has confirmed.

The International Photovoltaic Equipment Association (IPVEA) has elected a number of new members to its board during its AGM during Intersolar Europe.

Kenya has lifted VAT charges on all solar equipment imported into the East African country.

The energy minister of Namibia, southern Africa, has called for greater deployment of solar to provide power in off-grid locations.

German EPC firm IBC Solar is stepping up its attention on the Middle East market.

The first vertically integrated PV manufacturer in the MENA region, Qatar Solar Energy (QSE), has officially opened a 300MW PV module production plant, located in a Doha industrial zone, Qatar.