News in brief: Enel Green Power provides PV modules to power a new surgery in a Ugandan hospital, California's LA Solar Group announces new rooftop solar programme, Borrego Solar completes a new commercial PV system in San Diego, California and Hannon Armstrong secures a new US$144 million investment for more than 690MW worth of new solar projects, and more.
Florida’s Senate committee has unanimously approved SB 90, a bill that would implement Amendment 4, which makes solar and renewable energy equipment on commercial buildings exempt from property taxes for 20 years, beginning in 2018.
US-based start-up WattGlass has secured a Series A round of funding led by material sciences firm, DSM that was said to support its efforts to commercialise its anti-reflective and anti-soiling coating for PV panels.
Brazil’s energy agency EPE has signed a technical cooperation agreement with Mexico’s National Energy Control Center (Cenace) to gain knowledge in renewable energy integration and other power sector challenges.
In a 76-49 vote last week, Republican legislators voted to get rid of Minnesota’s solar incentive programme that saw homeowners and businesses install thousands of panels since its inception in 2013.
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is to embark on several new pricing options for rooftop solar customers, following an approval by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) of the utility’s new rate plan.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Amtech Systems highlighted the confidence it had in a series of major new orders for high-efficiency n-type PERC and n-type bi-facial cell equipment including the first of a multi-phase 1GW turnkey project order during the reporting of its first 2017 fiscal quarter.
Integrated PV manufacturer SolarWorld is to shift its production focus to monocrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact) cells and modules and away from multicrystalline to build economies of scale with high-efficiency only products. With the realignment of production to mono PERC products, including bifacial modules, around 400 jobs would be lost by the end of 2019.
This week's Movers & Shakers segment features a company rebrand, a global expansion for India's Adani and good news for US solar, which has experienced 25% jobs growth year-on-year.
Mainstream Renewable Power has received environmental approval to develop a 245MW solar plant in Chile, from the South American country’s Environmental Assessment Service.
