Europe

European coal fleet will run at a loss of €6.57bn this year
Economic thinktank Carbon Tracker used financial modeling to determine the profitability of every coal power plant in the EU. On average, 79% of the facilities run at a loss, with Germany, Spain and Czechia among the states particularly exposed to the consequences – for coal investors and the public.
Nov 1, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Spain, Germany, Italy, Europe, Netherlands, Slovenia, carbon tracker, Czechia, Matt Gray
Towards circular business models for the PV sector
With solar energy about to reach the iconic terawatt (TW) milestone of globally installed PV capacity, waste handling and end-of-life (EoL) scenarios become a pressing matter.
Nov 1, 2019 // Opinions, pv modules, Europe, CIRCUSOL
Large orders from Asian solar manufacturers boost Centrotherm
Enormous order intake is ensuring high production capacity utilization at the German PV equipment provider. The company said demand was particularly strong for high-efficiency solar cell production equipment in Asia. Thus far this year, however, that has not been reflected in the balance sheet.
Nov 1, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, Germany, Europe, Asia, Centrotherm International AG
Spain and Brazil the world’s ‘solar investment hotspots’ but eyes on Vietnam
Analysts at Fitch Solutions have published a report singling out Spain and Brazil as ‘outperformers’ in the global solar market and labelled Vietnam the “market to watch”. The analysts expect surging growth from the Southeast Asian nation to continue in the coming decade.
Nov 1, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Spain, South america, Europe, Brazil, Fitch Solutions Macro Research
Renewables set new records in Germany, but ‘second pillar’ solar needs to accelerate even further
Renewables contributed some 43% of electricity consumption in Germany in the first nine months of 2019 – a new record – however doubts remain over the country’s chances of meeting future targets.
Nov 1, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Germany, solar pv, Europe, decarbonisation, renewables, Stefan Kapferer, Frithjof Staiß
Dutch startup Lightyear sets new benchmark in automobile aerodynamics with its solar-powered car
Many of the technologies we come across everyday seem to be either perfect or nearing perfection. However, there is always scope for improvement and this is what the Dutch startup Lightyear follows. The company manufactures a car that comes equipped with a solar panel that helps generate electricity and improve the vehicle’s range. While the solar panel itself is not a new innovation, the company has announced of notably improving the aerodynamics of its car.
Nov 1, 2019 // Technology, Transport, Europe, Lightyear, startup
Export analysis
PV InfoLink analyzed the key markets of China’s big module manufacturers, as well as product trends, based on export statistics. According to trade figures, the nation’s module exports totaled 34.2 GW in the first half of 2019, up by more than 90% from the corresponding period of 2018. In a nutshell, overseas demand has been strong in 2019.
Nov 1, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, Japan, Canadian Solar, Spain, Portugal, Germany, India, SunPower, China, Ukraine, Australia, JA Solar, Europe, JinkoSolar, Asia, Risen Energy, Oceania, Trina Solar, PV InfoLink
Scientists double down on hydrogen production
A team of scientists led by the University of Glasgow has discovered a more efficient method of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity which it says could almost double the amount of hydrogen produced per millivolt.
Oct 31, 2019 // Technology, Storage, Solar to Fuel, Europe, Glasgow, Alexey Ganin, Solar to Fuel, Solar to Hydrogen, Producing Hydrogen, Hydrogen from renewable, Renewable fuels
Meyer Burger resists rebel shareholder at EGM
The Swiss solar equipment supplier today fought off an attempt by its largest single shareholder to have a representative appointed to its board and to have its executive pay regime reviewed. Victory in that battle may secure the company some wiggle room, but the war over corporate strategy appears far from over.
Oct 31, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, Europe, meyer burger, Switzerland, EGM, Mark Kerekes, Sentis
Netherlands puts forward €5 billion in new clean energy subsidies
The Netherlands has launched the latest round of its renewable energy subsidy programme SDE+ this week, with a budget to the tune of €5 billion (~US$5.6 billion).
Oct 31, 2019 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Markets & Finance News, Policy, floating PV, Europe, Netherlands, subsidy, subsidy-free, sde+, holland, dutch
Origis Energy hires RES to build 57.5MW Georgia project
US renewables developer Origis Energy revealed on Tuesday that it had hired Renewable Energy Systems (RES) for engineering, procurement and construction of its 57.5MW solar farm in Mitchell County, Georgia.
Oct 31, 2019 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, USA, Georgia, Europe, North America, renewable energy systems, origis
IFC launches $50 million climate-smart leasing project in Ukraine
The World Bank’s private investment arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has agreed to provide a financing package of US$50 million to Kiev-based firm OTP Leasing for sustainable energy investments in Ukraine.
Oct 31, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Ukraine, Europe, world bank, international finance corporation, Scaling Solar, Kosovo, otp leasing
6 Examples of Solar Powered Roads That Could Be a Glimpse of the Future
Oct 31, 2019 // BIPV, USA, Europe, Netherlands, North America, solar roads, amorphous solar cells, Idaho
Spain’s Solar Bubble Looks Ready to Pop. The Market Will Be Just Fine
Consolidation is coming to Spain’s red-hot solar market, but in a post-subsidy world the landing will be relatively soft.
Oct 30, 2019 // Markets & Finance News, Spain, UK, PPA, Wood Mackenzie, Lightsource BP, Europe, baywa r.e., Tom Heggarty, Conor McGuigan, Andrea Grotzke
Risen profits for HJT manufacturer
Ukraine’s favorite solar module manufacturer has posted another encouraging set of returns, after a difficult year in 2018. And Risen – which boasted 6.6 GW of annual production capacity at the end of last year, according to analysts at PV InfoLink – is committed to adding another 2.5 GW before 2022.
Oct 30, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, China, Ukraine, Europe, Asia, Risen