Japanese-headquartered financial services group ORIX Corporation has taken full ownership of Spanish renewables firm Elewan Energy after acquiring a further 20% stake in the company.
BP ventures, the investment platform of bp, has invested A$20 million (US$13.5 million) in Australian renewables company 5B to support the development and implementation of its 5B Maverick solar technology.
Newly granted patents for solar cell architecture that reduces silver costs and increases power generation could see the new technology draw closer to commercialisation.
Having been rebranded with a new ethos and mission, Qcells’ ambitions are supported by a suite of clean energy products as it consolidates its position in the solar PV sector.
A subsidiary of PV cell producer Aiko Solar intends to participate in the capital increase of Qinghai Lihao Semiconductor Materials to improve the supply chain.
Having installed PV modules from Chinese manufacturers, McDonald’s China has opened a “zero-carbon restaurant” in Beijing, the company’s first of its kind in the country.
Australia must build out its solar supply chain, from silicon production to end-of-life processes, and reduce its reliance on imported cells and modules if it is to achieve its potential as a global PV superpower.
