The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam (MOIT) has released a draft circular containing guidelines on how to develop solar PV in the country, but has failed to address a range of issues that could impact large-scale project bankability, according to analysis from multinational law firm Baker McKenzie.
Vertically-integrated solar firm and industrial goods company Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) had 370MW in its solar PV portfolio at the end of FY2016/17, of which 360MW was ground-mount and 10MW was rooftop.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Trina Solar has reported a verified N-type monocrystalline Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 24.13%. Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) verified the results.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) launched its new investment plan prioritising how to use US$800 million worth of funds in the next few years, with solar PV innovation one of the main new areas of focus.
This week's Movers & Shakers segment features executive shuffles in energy storage companies and an O&M firm, while examining a new merger between Spain's Gamesa and Siemens Wind Power. Spain's Renewable Energy Association elects a new president for the next four years, and Jon Wellinghoff exits SolarCity amid the US$2 billion Tesla acquisition.
China added 7.21GW of solar PV in the first quarter of the year, roughly 70MW compared to the same quarter last year, according to figures from China’s National Energy Administration (NEA).
News in Brief: Vivint Solar is taking advantage of Rhode Island's optimal residential solar conditions and expanding into the state, BBOX and Aeris are partnering to provide plug-and-play solar systems with IoT connectivity in East and Central Africa, Sri Lankan energy ministers are allocating funding to install solar systems in selected public buildings and India's Space Research Organisation has developed a new solar app for Android.
Polysilicon producer REC Silicon ASA reported a slump in polysilicon sales in the first quarter of 2017 as market demand weakness resumed after strong demand in the fourth quarter of 2016.