EDP Renewables North America
Date: 2019-08-14
In the Golden State, EDP Renewables North America reports it will sell 110 MW of electricity from the Sonrisa solar farm and battery storage facility to San Jose Clean Energy The 20-year PPA covers 100 MW of solar energy and 10 MW of storage capacity. In June, EDP inked a similar PPA with East Bay Community Energy for 100 MW of photovoltaic and 30 MW of storage.

The two PPAs together account for 100 pct of the facility's power and storage capacity.(Source: EDP Renewables North America, PR, ReNEWS, Aug., 2019) Contact: EDP Renewables North America, Miguel Prado, CEO, (713) 265-0350 - Houston, +351 21 001 25 00, www.edpr.com; East Bay Community Energy, 833-699-3223, www.ebce.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News EDP Renewables North America ,  

Neoen
Date: 2019-08-09
French renewables developer Neoen reports the South Australian governmentit has approved its planned 125 MW of wind generation, 150 MW solar PV generation and 130MW/400MWh of lithium-ion battery storage project that could also integrate up to 50 MW of on-site hydrogen production capability.

The solar project would incorporate 400,000‐500,000 solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers. The wind farm would utilize 26 turbines and 130 MW/400 MWh lithium-ion energy storage facility connected to the national grid. The energy storage facility will be located on a separate site and connected to the wind park and solar farm via underground transmission cables.

To date, Neoen has invested more than $1 billion in South Australia. (Source : Neoen Australia, PV Mag., 8 Aug., 2019) Contact: Neoen Australis, Garth Heron, Head of Development, +33 805 160 022, www.neoen.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Neoen,  Renewable Energy,  PV,  Solar,  

Leclanche
Date: 2019-08-09
In the Caribbean, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, the state-owned St. Kitts Electric Company (SKELEC) and the Swiss energy storage specialist Leclanche SA are touting the planned construction of a 35.6 MW solar energy plant and 44.2 MWh battery storage facility adjacent to the City of Basseterre on the island of St. Kitts. When fully operational, the system will provide between 25-30 pct of the island nation's electric power requirements.

Leclanche will serve as the prime engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the installation of both the solar photovoltaic (PV) system and battery energy storage system and will be responsible for the completed project's management, operations, maintenance and warranties. SKELEC and Leclanche have inked a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the facility's output.

Ground-breaking is slated for mid-October 2019 for completion and commissioning in September 2020. (Source: Leclanche, PR, 7 Aug., 2019) Contact: Leclanche Anil Srivastava, CEO, +41 (0) 24 424 65 00, Fax: +41 (0)24 424 65 20, info@leclanche.com, www.leclanche.com; St. Kitts Electric Company, 869-465-2000, www.skelec.kn

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Leclanche,  

AEP,City of Shelby
Date: 2019-08-07
In the Buckeye State, Shelby City Council reports the passage of three resolutions entering into an agreement with American Electric Power (AEP) for a 2.5 MW photovoltaic (PV) electric generation facility on 14 acres in Shelby (pop. 9,000 +-). The installation would incorporate "several thousand" 370-watt photovoltaic panels to generate roughly 3,500 MWh per year.

The city will be the sole consumer of the solar facility's power production. When fully online, the solar installation is expected to save the city an estimated $3 million in energy costs over 10 years. (Source: City of Shelby, Richland Source, 5 Aug., 2019) Contact: City of Shelby, John Ensman, Dir. of Utilities, 419-342-4085, www.shelbycity.oh.gov; American Electric Power, Nicholas K. Akins, Pres., (614) 716-1000, www.aep.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  AEP,  

DEWA,Stanford University
Date: 2019-08-07
In the UAE, the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) reports it's Research and Development Center will collaborate with California's Stanford University on radiation cooling to improve the efficiency and performance of solar panels. The research will include the utilization of autonomous robots in monitoring and maintaining solar power plants, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to forecast the performance and production of photovoltaic solar plants in the short term.

The DEWA R&D Centre, situated at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, also has renewable and alternative energy co-operation agreements with the U.S. DOE National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Spanish National Renewable Energy Centre, as well as the United Arab Emirates University and Khalifa University.

The UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 aims to position the UAE as a global leader in AI by 2031; the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to diversify the country's energy mix and provide 75 pct of Dubai's total power output from clean sources by 2050. (Source: DEWA, MEP Middle East, Stanford, DEWA, Aug., 2019) Contact: DEWA, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO, www.dewa.gov.ae; Stanford, www.stanford.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News DEWA,  Solar,  Stanford,  PV,  

Guizhou province
Date: 2019-08-05
The Chinese news agency Xinhua is reporting Southwest China's Guizhou Province (pop. 34.75 million) will complete and commission 63 photovoltaic (PV) projects totaling 3.6 million kilowatts of installed capacity this year -- 16 pct of the country's total solar capacity. The projects will be subsidized by the country, with a total subsidy of 450 million yuan ($64.85 million) U.S. dollars), which occupies about 26.5 percent of the country's total subsidies for such projects, according to the provincial energy bureau.

By the end of this June, Guizhou province had installed 28.25 million kilowatts of new and renewable energy, accounting for 45.6 percent of the province's installed capacity of electricity. (Source: Xinhua, Aug., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  China Soar,  

Canadian Solar ,Natural Resources Canada
Date: 2019-07-31
Ontario-based solar panel maker Canadian Solar Solutions Inc reports it will receive close to $8 million ($6.1 million US) from Natural Resources Canada's (NRC) energy innovation programme to develop and test high-density (HiDM) PV panels.

The new HiDM panels will use a first-of-its-kind shingled module technology that can be adapted to any type of solar cell, and are 20 pct more efficient than conventional panels, according to a company statement. (Source: Canadian Solar Solutions, Renewables, 30 July, 2019) Contact: Canadian Solar Solutions, www.canadiansolar.com; NRC, Vanessa Adams, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, (343) 543-7645, Vanessa.Adams@canada.ca, www.nrcan.gc.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News NRC,  Canadian Solar ,  PV,  

Mali,Solar
Date: 2019-07-29
The landlocked African nation of Mali reports it is set to begin construction of a 33 MW Segou solar photovoltaic power plant in southern Mali. The $53.7 million project, which will incorporate 104,764 ground mounted solar panels, is being developed with Norwegian assistance in the design, construction and operations of the plant and 2.8 km of a 33kV transmission line.

The project will be implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under a 25-year Build, Own and Operate & Transfer (BOOT) Concession Agreement with the Government of Mali (GoM) and a 25-year Take-or-Pay Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Energie du Mali (EDM), the country's national utility. When fully operational, the project will be connected to Mali's national grid via the substation of the state-owned Mali Electricity Company (EDM). (Source: Mali Electricity Company, CR, 29 July, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  

Date: 2019-07-29
! Castrol oil, with a high specific gravity, thickness and hydroxyl value, is used either in its refined hydrogenated form or crude form, is primarily used for the production of various bio-based chemicals, biodiesel fuel and other valuable products.

According to the report, the Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the castor oil derivatives market in the time period 2018-26. India is projected to be the major production hub of castor oil derivatives globally, followed by Brazil, Russia, Paraguay, Philippines, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, and Thailand.

Some prominent market players of global castor oil and derivatives market are Liaoyang Huaxing Chemical Co., ITOH Oil Chemicals Co. Ltd., Jayant Agro Organics, Bom Brazil, Hokoku Corporation, Ltd., Kanak Castor Products Pvt. Ltd., Thai Castor Oil Industries Co. Ltd., Gokul Overseas, and others are among the major global players in the castor oil market.

Download report details HERE and HERE (Source: The Market Plan, 28 July, 2019) Request For Table of Contents: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/requesttoc/9536

More Low-Carbon Energy News Castor Oil,  Biochemical,  Biofuel,  

Southern Power, esVolta
Date: 2019-07-29
Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is reporting a partnership with Aliso Viejo, California-headquartered utility-scale energy storage project specialist esVolta LP to develop four energy storage facilities totaling over 86 MW / 345 MWh in Southern California Edison (SoCal) service territory. Southern Power has closed on the investment in one of the four projects, with the other three subject to completion.

esVolta LP is a leading developer, owner and manager of utility-scale energy storage projects across North America. The company's portfolio of operational plus contracted projects totals over 400 MWhs of capacity. The company is supported by a long-term capital commitment from Blue Sky Alternative Investments LLC, and a strategic procurement arrangement with Powin Energy Corporation, according to the company. (Source: esVolta LP, Southern Company, PV Mag, Contact: esVolta, Randolph Mann, President, www.linkedin.com/in/randolph-mann-570b562b, (949) 330 6300, info@esvolta.com, www.esvolta.com; Southern Power, Buzz Miller, Pres., CEO, (404) 506-5000, www.southerncompany.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Southern Power,  esVolta,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  

Santa Monica
Date: 2019-07-24
In the Golden State, the city of Santa Monica reports it expects to invest $2.6 million on the installation of solar panels on two buildings at the Santa Monica Airport and on the City Services Building (CSB) currently under construction behind City Hall.

The installations are part of the City's Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Project to help meet its goal of making Santa Monica a carbon neutral city by 2050.

Seven city owned facilities presently have a total combined solar capacity of 442 kW. The new solar installations would add a total of 559 kW of capacity -- a 127 pct increase that would bring the total to 1.001 MW. (Source: City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Lookout, July 22, 2019) Contact: City of Santa Monica, www.smgov.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  

Goldwind
Date: 2019-07-22
In Beijing, Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Goldwind reports it has become one of the first partners in a wind-to-hydrogen project in the city of Baicheng, Jilin province, northeast China.

The project plans to eventually deploy 20 GW of wind turbines producing green fuel for a clean transportation system. The Baicheng project -- which also plans to include 15 GW of solar PV -- is the largest yet announced in China to explicitly integrate renewable generation and hydrogen infrastructure within a "hydrogen valley" producing more than one million tonnes of the fuel annually by 2035. (Source: Goldwind, PR,reve, 20 July, 2019) Contact: Goldwind, www.goldwindglobal.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Goldwind,  Wind,  Hydrogen ,  

Artisun Solar
Date: 2019-07-19
In the Show Me State, the Boulevard Brewing Company is reporting Artisun Solar has completed the installation of a 200-kW rooftop solar array at its Kansas City brewery facility.

The new solar installation was financed with CleanView Capital and is additional to Boulevard's existing solar portfolio. (Source: Boulevard Brewing Company, ClearView Capital, PV World, 17 July, 2019) Contact: Boulevard Brewing Company, www.boulevard.com; Artisun Solar, Kirk Kreisel, Pres., 816-265-1786, info@artisunsolar.com, www.artisunsolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Artisun Solar,  Solar,  

African Energy Live Data
Date: 2019-07-17
Further to our 24th May report, African Energy Live Data is reporting pre-qualification has begun for phase two of the giant Midelt solar project in Morocco. The project, which is part of the Noor programme managed by the Rabat-based Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), incorporates both concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies.

The first 800MW phase was awarded to a consortium of France's EDF, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (MASDAR), and Green of Africa in May. Initial plans were for the first phase to consist of two separate hybridised CSP and PV plants. The CSP component of each project was planned to be around 150-190MW and the PV component 150-210MW, making a maximum of 400MW for each plant. A similar structure was contemplated for the second phase but this appears to have been rejected in favour of a single plant.

The second phase preferred bidder will design, finance, build, operate and maintain the plant, which will be constructed roughly 20 km north of Midelt on plains around the Moulouya River.

The project company will also sign a 25-year PPA with MASEN and will be owned by a lead member, expected to hold at least 35 pct , as well as a technical member holding 5 pct. MASEN will likely take a 25 pct stake in both the project company and the operations and maintenance company. The second phase is expected to be built on a turnkey basis through a lump sum fixed-price engineering, procurement and construction contract.

MASEN notes the Noor-Ouarzazate I solar project achieved 32 pct industrial integration, while Noor Ouarzazate II and III both reached 35 pct. (Source: African Energy Live Data, ESI Africa, July, 2019) Contact: African Energy Live Data, www.africa-energy.com/live-data; Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, www.masen.ma/en; Masdar, Shaima Al Jarman, Marketing & Communications, +971 02 8109365, saljarman@masdar.ac.ae, www.masdar.ac.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Noor Solar,  MASDAR,  

Synergy
Date: 2019-07-15
In Uttar Pradesh, India's Synergy Teletech Pvt. Ltd is reporting the launch of its new 'Synergy Green Diesel', a distilled grade biodiesel fuel aimed at the "non-transport, B2B" market -- including MSMEs, hotels, RWAs, office complex, construction sites, telecom towers, etc.

The new fuel is also less costly than regular diesel ang be used in existing diesel engines without engine modifications, according to the company release. (Source: Synergy Teletech Pvt. Ltd, ET Auto, 11 July, 2019) Contact: Synergy Teletech Pvt. Ltd, Prasan Surana, Founder, +91 120 483 6000, www.synergyteletech.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  Green Diesel,  

Sunworks,Bright Power
Date: 2019-07-12
Roseville, California-based solar power specialist Sunworks, Inc. reports receipt of an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from Bright Power to develop a 567 kilowatt roof-top solar PV project for a Northern California residential complex.

Bright Power, which specializes in multifamily apartment buildings, works with building owners to increase their net operating income through energy and water savings while decreasing negative impact on the environment. The project is slated for completion in Q4, 2020. (Source: Sunworks, PR, Yahoo, 11 July, 2019) Contact: Bright Power Inc., 212.803.5868, 415.914.7171, www.brightpower.com, Sunworks, Chuck Cargile, CEO, (866) 600-6800, www.sunworksusa.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rooftop Solar,  Sunworks,  Solar,  Bright Power,  

Repsol
Date: 2019-07-08
In Madrid, Spanish energy major Repsol SA is reporting the acquisition of two wind projects and one solar photovoltaic (PV) scheme totaling 794 MW. The company also announced it will develop the 335-MW Delta wind project in Zaragoza, Aragon, as well as a 255-MW wind project in the provinces of Palencia and Valladolid, Castilla y Leon, bought from Iberen and the 204-MW Sigma solar project in Cadiz, Andalucia. The three projects will be managed by Repsol Electricidad y Gas and are expected to come on line in the coming four years.

Repsol aims to operate 4,500 MW of low-emissions generation by 2025 and when those three new projects are put on stream it will have achieved 90% of that objective. The company presently has 2,952 MW of installed low-emission capacity. (Source: Repsol,Renewables Now, July, 2019) Contact: Repsol SA, (+34) 91 7538100 / 91 7538000, sacportal@repsol.com, www.repsol.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Solar,  

Jetion Solar,WElink Energy
Date: 2019-06-28
Chinese manufacturer Jetion Solar has supplied 221 MW of its polycrystalline modules to the scheme, which is being developed by Irish firm WElink Energy with state-owned China National Building Materials the EPC provider. Jiangsu, China-based solar manufacturer and project developer Jetion Solar reports subsidy-free construction is nearing completion on its 221-MW Solara 4 project in Vaqueiros, Portugal.

With the project set to become Europe's largest subsidy-free solar facility upon completion in September. The project is being developed by Dublin, Ireland-based renewables company WElink Energy with state-owned Chinese entity China National Building Materials Group Corp performing engineering, procurement and construction at the site. (Source: Jetion Solar, PV Mag, 26 June, 2019) Contact: Jetion Solar, 0510-86687300-2500, 0510-68822889 marketing@Jetion.com.cn, en.jetion.com.cn; WElink Energy, info@welink.eu, +353 1 2944 294, www.welink.eu/energy

More Low-Carbon Energy News WElink Energy ,  Jetion Solar,  Solar,  

NV Energy
Date: 2019-06-26
In the Silver State, Las Vegas-based NV Energy reports it will seek Nevada PUC approval for the addition of nearly 1,200 MW of new solar PV generation along with 590 MW of battery storage to be added to its energy mix in the form of three projects in southern Nevada. With the addition of these new projects, NV Energy will double its renewable energy by 2023.

Each of the three announced projects -- the 200-mw Arrow Canyon Solar Project with a 75 mw battery storage system; the 300-mw Southern Bighorn Solar & Storage Center with 135-mw Li-Ion battery energy storage system; and the 690-mw Gemini Solar + Battery Storage Project with a 380 mw AC battery storage system -- are expected to be online by the end of 2023.

NV Energy's current portfolio includes 57 geothermal, solar, hydro, wind, biomass and supported rooftop solar projects both in service and under development. (Source: NV Energy, PR, 24 June, 2019) Contact: NV Energy, Doug Cameron, CEO, Pres., www.nvenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News NV Energy,  Solar,  

Net-Zero Energy
Date: 2019-06-24
The Eastern Mediterranean island country of Cyprus reports the incorporation of EU Directive -- 2010/31 / EU -- which aims to improve the energy performance of buildings while taking into account the external climatic conditions and indoor climate requirements.

Under the new legislation, photovoltaic (PV) systems will be mandatory in homes, business and government buildings to hlp Cyprus meet energy consumption and near zero-energy goals.

Buildings constructed after 31 December 2018 are required to hold an Energy Performance Certificate classifying them as Energy efficiency class B. This means that buildings will have to be built with materials insulating the interior and generate part of their energy needs from renewable energy sources. Housing units built after the end of 2018 should be producing up to 25 pct, blocks of flats 3 pct and other building types 7 pct -- rising in 2020 when all buildings must be classified as class A. This entails high-performance thermal insulation (walls, ceilings, windows, exposed floors), very low heating requirements, and have a primary annual energy consumption of under 100 kWh per m2. (Source: Cyprus Energy Ministry, Financial Mirror, June, 2019) Contact: Cyprus Energy Ministry, +357 22 867100, www.mcit.gov.cy

More Low-Carbon Energy News Net-Zero Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

CsGBC
Date: 2019-06-21
Toronto, Ontario's Humber College reports its newly retrofitted NX building has been awarded Zero Carbon Building Design Certification by the Canada Green Building Council -- the first such certification in Canada. With the retrofit, the North Campus building will use 70 pct less energy than previously consumed, making it the college’s most energy efficient building, and one of the most energy efficient in North America, according the the Canada Creen Building Council.

Energy efficiency work on the NX building included: a complete envelope retrofit that is highly insulated and airtight; new triple-pane windows; energy efficient LED lighting upgrades; HVAC systems upgrades; the addition of a new 25kW Solar PV system.

The work, which was undertaken by BIRD Construction, is slated for completion this summer. (Source: CaGBC, PR, Humber College, 20 June, 2019) Contact: Canada Green Building Council, Thomas Mueller, President and CEO, Mark Hutchinson, Director of Green Building Programs, (866) 941-1184, info@cagbc.org, www.cagbc.org; Humber College, (416) 675-3111, www.humber.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  CaGBC,  

First Solar
Date: 2019-06-19
Tempe, Arizona-headquartered thin-film solar module maker First Solar Inc is reported to be seeking a purchaser for a 45-MW photovoltaic (PV) plant portfolio in the Indian state of Karnataka, according to liveMINT.

The planned sale, which is expected to raise approximately $43 million, would be the company's second such sale in India. In 2017 the company sold 190 MW of PV assets across seven sites in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to IDFC Alternatives. (Source: First Solar, liveMINT, June, 2019) Contact: First Solar, Kathryn Arbeit, VP, Project Dev., David Brady, Inv. Rel., (602) 414-9315, dbrady@firstsolar.com, www.firstsolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News First Solar,  Solar,  

Trina Solar
Date: 2019-06-14
Shanghai-headquartered solar panel manufacturer Trina Solar Limited reports it has begun mass production of its N-type i-TOPCon double-glass bifacial modules. The best front side power output of a module with 144 half-cut i-TOPCon cells reaches 425 Wp, and the best module efficiency reaches 20.7 pct.

The new i-TOPCon double glass PV modules integrate N-type bifacial i-TOPCon cells with over 80 pct bifaciality, multi-busbar (MBB) design, full square monocrystalline cells, dual-side and half-cut technologies. The highly efficient modules feature a lower temperature coefficient and low light induced degradation (LID), greatly improving the actual power output. They also provide an extra 5 pct to 30 pct power generation from their back side, and feature a 30-year linear power warranty. (Source: Trina Solar, PR, Trina Solar Co., Ltd., 13 June, 2019) Contact: Trina Solar, www.trinasolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trina Solar,  Solar Cell,  Solar Module,  

Engie,Greene Ensys
Date: 2019-06-14
The government of Djibouti through the country's electricity utility Electricite de Djibouti (EDD) is reporting a framework agreement with French company Engie for construction of a 30 MW PV power plant in the Grand Bara region, south of Djibouti.

The project, which will be the first large-scale solar power plant in the country, is part of a much larger project -- the construction of a 300 MW solar complex.

Phase one of the project was initially awarded to Green Enesys, a Swiss company. The overall investment is expected to amount to US $406 million. The country aims to have 100 pct renewable and local energy by 2020.

Also in Djibouti, French firm Blue Shark Power is developing a 120-MW tidal power project. (Source: Construction Review. 13 June, 2019) Contact: EDD, www.edd.dj; Engie, www.engie.com/en; Greene Ensys, www.greenenesys.com; Blue Shark Power, www.bluesharkpower.eu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Engie,  Solar,  PV,  Greene Ensys,  

Auburn University, Southern Solar Systems
Date: 2019-06-07
Auburn University's National Poultry Technology Center (NPTC) and Tyson Foods, Inc report the opening of a 27,000 sq-ft stand-alone solar powered poultry house to be operated completely off the grid in Cullman County, Alabama. A second facility will also be operated exclusively by solar power.

The first house's power will be generated by photovoltaic (PV) panels with a battery set and generator installed by Southern Solar Systems. On-site researchers from Auburn will compare the two poultry house's energy use with normal poultry house operations over a 12 month period to determine best practices for future similar solar installations. (Source: Auburn University, The Poultry Site, 6 June, 2019) Contact: Auburn University National Poultry Technology Center (NPTC) , https://poul.auburn.edu/associates/nptc; Southern Solar Systems, (256) 883-9848, www.southernsolarsys.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Auburn University,  Solar,  Tyson Food,  Southern Solar Systems,  

Vidullanka PLC
Date: 2019-06-05
In Sri Lanka, Vidullanka PLC is reporting the commissioning and grid connection of its 3.3MW Dehiattakandiya Dendro power plant through its joint venture company, Vidul Biomass (Pvt.) Ltd. The facility will use only locally sourced , fast growing gliricidia -- aka "qickstick" -- as a feedstock.

The project is a Rs.1.45 billion investment jointly undertaken by Vidullanka and OC Energy Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Japanese construction giant, Obayashi Corporation. The investment in Vidul Biomass (Pvt.) Limited is the first of its kind for the Japanese conglomerate in Sri Lanka. The power plant is expected to supply 22 GWh of annual energy to the national grid. (Source: Vidullanka PLC, Daily Mirror, 4 June, 2019) Contact: Vidullanka PLC , Chamil Silva, CEO, + 94 11 4760000 + 94 11 4760076, info@vidullanka.com, www.vidullanka.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass Energy,  

juwi
Date: 2019-05-29
Worrstadt, Germany-based renewable energy developer Juwi AG's greek subsidiary juwi Hellas has announced plans to begin construction on its 204 MW Kozani solar park in Greece in December 2019. When fully operational and grid connected in April, 2021, the Kozani solar park will be the largest solar PV project in South-East Europe, according to the juwi release. (Source: Balkan Green Energy News, 27 May, 2019) Contact: Juwi AG, Dave Manning, Global Head of Hybrid Energy, Christian Hinsch, Communications, +49 (0) 6732. 96 57-1201, +49 (0) 172. 67 949 12, hinsch@juwi.de, www.juwi.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News juwi,  Solar,  

Trina Solar
Date: 2019-05-29
Shanghai-headquartered Trina Solar's State Key Laboratory (SKL) of PV Science and Technology (PVST) of China has confirmed Trina set a new world record for a high-efficiency n-type mono-crystalline silicon i-TOPCon solar cell.

The record-breaking bifacial solar cell was fabricated on a 244.62 sq-cm wafer with a low-cost industrial process of advanced Industrial Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (i-TOPCon) technologies, having a front boron emitter and a rear full-area passivating contact. The bifacial solar cell reached a total-area front side efficiency of 24.58 pct, as independently confirmed by the ISFH CalTeC in Germany. (Source: Trina Solar, May, 2019) Contact: Trina Solar, Jifan Gao, CEO, +86 519-8517-6878, ir@trinasolar.com, www.trinasolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Trina Solar,  Solar,  Solar Cell Efficiency,  

Colorado PUC
Date: 2019-05-24
In Denver, with the expected signing of SB19-236 -- the Colorado PUC "Sunset" bill -- by Governor Jared Polis (D) Colorado will take its first step to becoming carbon free by 2030, which will probably be followed by an increased focus on renewable energy development.

SB19-236, which has passed the State House and Senate, directs all utilities in the state to set a goal of 80 pct carbon reduction by 2030, followed by 100 pct carbon-free electric power generation by 2050. SB19-236 also allows electric utilities to use low-cost bonds to help refinance retiring fossil fuel generating facilities, a call for distribution system planning and plans to create new workforce and community transition opportunities. (Source: Colorado PUC, Various Media, PV Mag, May, 2019) Contact: Colorado PUC, (303) 894-2000, www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/puc

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Renewable Energy,  Carbon Neutral,  

EDF Renewables
Date: 2019-05-24
A consortium led by French EDF Renewables, in collaboration with UAE renewables developer and operator Masdar, and the Moroccan company Green of Africa reports it has been awarded a tender to build an 800-MW solar plant near the Moroccan city of Midelt. The $751.5 million Noor Midelt I solar project, which will incorporate a hybrid system of concentrated solar plant (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) technologies, is part of Morocco's goal to produce 42 pct of its electrical power from renewable energy by 2020 and 52 percent by 2030. (Source: EDF Renewables, Middle East Utilities, 23 May, 2019) Contact: EDF Renewables, www.edf-re.com; Masdar, Shaima Al Jarman, Marketing & Communications, +971 02 8109365, saljarman@masdar.ac.ae, www.masdar.ac.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News EDF Renewables,  Solar,  Masdar,  

Asian Development Bank
Date: 2019-05-22
The Manila-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB) is reported to have offered $4 million in loan funding to Barakat Kandahar Solar Energy (BKSE), a special purpose vehicle company majority owned by 77 Afghanistan, a subsidiary of 77 Group, for construction of a 15.1 MW solar PV power plant in Afghanistan.

The solar plant is expected to generate about 27.5GWh per year of electric power for the country's grid. The project will also add significantly to the country’s share of renewable energy in the total installed power generation capacity between 4.5GW and 5GW by 2032. (Source: ADB, 21 May, 2019)Contact: Asia Development Bank, Takehiko Nakao, Pres. +63 2 632 4444, www.adb.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Asian Development Bank,  Solar,  

Orix,Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services
Date: 2019-05-20

Japan's Orix Corporation reports it will purchase the remaining shares in seven Indian wind power plants totaling 874 MW in the form of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) from Mumbai-based Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Wind Energy Limited (IWEL). Orix already holds 49 pct of the seven wind farms.

IL&FS expects deal to be closed by the end of June 2019, subject to compliance and regulatory approvals. (Source: IL&FS, PTI, !8 May, 2019) Contact: Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services, www.ilfsindia.com; ORIX, www.orix.co.jp/grp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orix,  Wind,  

CO2 Solutions
Date: 2019-05-15
Further to our March 15th coverage, Quebec City, Quebec-based CO2 Solutions is reporting completion of its first CO2 capture unit installation at the Resolute Forest Products (RPF) pulp mill in Saint-Felicien, Que. The unit is expected to produce a minimum of 30 tpd of captured CO2 which will be used by Serres Toundra greenhouses. The unit is expected to be operating at full commercial capacity within weeks, according to a release.

CO2 Solutions notes the installation is the first commercial deployment of an enzymatic carbon capture process, the first carbon capture unit in the forest industry, the first carbon capture from unpolished emissions of a lime kiln, and the first unit to make extensive use of C-PVC as a low-cost material in a carbon capture unit.

The Saint-Felicien CO2 capture plant received grant funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a loan from Canada Economic Development (DEC), and financial support from the Green Fund through the Technoclimat program of Quebec Energy Transition. (Source: CO2 Solutions, Greenhouse Canada, 14 May, 2019) Contact: CO2 Solutions, Richard Surprenant, CEO, Jeremie Lavoie, (418) 842-3456, ext. 223, jeremie.lavoie@co2solutions.com, www.co2solutions.com

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University of Shefield
Date: 2019-05-15
In the UK, scientists at the University of Sheffield are touting a 3D PV-cell design which they say drives down the costs of solar cell manufacturing by cutting the number of steps required in present photovoltaic (PV) module production.

The 3D design eliminates high-cost bright, conductive oxides, the use of natural and low-value electrical interconnections and allows the flexibility to tune electrical output to match consumer necessities. (Source: University of Sheffield, Renewable Energy Zone, 4 May, 2019) Contact: University of Sheffield, Division of Physics and Astronomy, Prof. David Lidzey, +44 (0) 114 22 23501; d.g.lidzey@sheffield.ac.uk, www.sheffield.ac.uk

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Belnor Engineering
Date: 2019-05-10
Mississauga, Ontario-based Belnor Engineering is reporting the installation of Canada's first transparent photovoltaic solar window at the Centre for Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship (CITE Facility) at Seneca College in Toronto, Ontario.

In an effort to bolster their sustainability initiatives, the institution decided to be the first to incorporate Onyx Solar amorphous silicon (a-Si) technology into CITE's building envelope. Also known as a curtain-wall, this large window of 20 pct transparency incorporates 18 photovoltaic glass panels totaling 510 square-feet. The installation's peak power amounts to 1.3 KW

The $85-million project was designed by Perkins + Will Architects Canada and financially supported by the federal and provincial governments. (Source: Belnor Engineering Inc., PR, 9 May, 2019) Contact: Belnor Engineering Inc., Supriya Verma (PR Director), (905) 264-6372, info@belnor.com, www.belnor.com

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JimkoSolar
Date: 2019-05-08
Shanghai-headquartered JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. reports it supplied 250,000 of its 345Watt - 1500V monocrystalline standard modules for one of the largest solar power plant in Colombia to date.

JinkoSolar manufactures and distributes its solar products and services to a diversified international utility, commercial and residential customer base worldwide. JinkoSolar's vertically integrated solar product value chain has an integrated annual capacity of 9.7 GW for silicon wafers, 7.0 GW for solar cells, and 10.8 GW for solar modules, as of December 31, 2018. JinkoSolar operates 7 production facilities and has 15 oversea subsidiaries. (Source: JinkoSolar, PR, May, 2019) Contact: JinkoSolar Holding Co., Rene Du , +86 21-5183-3077 pr@jinkosolar.com, www.jinkosolar.com

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Power Roll
Date: 2019-05-08
UK scientists at the University of Sheffield and energy technology company Power Roll are touting a unique 3D solar-cell surface embossed with micro-grooves. According to the researchers, the new light-weight architecture could drive down the cost of solar cell manufacturing, reduce optical losses and increase cell efficiency.

The innovative 3D design removes many of the manufacturing process steps required by existing photovoltaics (PV) modules and allows new materials to be used that would not usually be appropriate in regular solar cells, according to a release. Other benefits of the design include the removal of expensive transparent conductive oxides and the use of simple and low cost electrical interconnections and the ability to tune electrical output to match user requirements. (Source: The Tribune, PTI, 2 May, 2019) Contact: Power Roll, Neil Spann, CEO, +44 (0)191 543 9254, info@powerroll.solar, www.powerroll.solar; University of Sheffield, Professor David Lidzey, Department of Physics and Astronomy , +44 (0)114 22 23501, d.g.lidzey@sheffield.ac.uk, www.sheffield.ac.uk/physics/people/academic/david-lidzey

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Eskom,South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Date: 2019-05-06
In Johannesburg, South Africa's largest utility Eskom and the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) are saying wind energy offers the country's greatest potential for replacing fossil fuels for power generation in South Africa.

The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other research institutes note they have "conclusively demonstrated that the option of new wind, solar PV and flexible generation capacity in South Africa delivers the least-cost electricity price trajectory in the years ahead to 2050 and beyond, as well as least water consumption, lowest carbon emissions and the most jobs. According to this scenario, wind would be the largest source of electricity by 2040. The DoE foresees 12 GW of wind by 2030, 38 GW by 2040 and 50 GW by 2050." (Souce: Eskom, MyBroadBand, 4 May, 2019)Contact: Eskom, Barry MacColl, GM Testing and Development, www.eskom.co.za; CSRI, www.csir.co.za

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eskom,  Wind,  South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research ,  

Solar
Date: 2019-05-06
In the Land Down Under, the State Coal Mine -- Wonthaggi Coal Mining Museum state park reports it is now powered by a 91 KW on-site, ground-mounted solar PV array and a 41 kWh battery storage system as part of an "Old Energy New Energy Project" being run by the not-for-profit Energy Innovation Co-op aiming to demonstrate how renewable energy, energy efficiency and new technology are "changing the name of the energy game."

The project is partially funded by over $241,000 from the state Labor Government's New Energy Jobs Fund and $58,460 from the Victorian government's Local Government Energy Saver Program -- a $3.4 million fund which supports resource constrained councils across regional Victoria to reduce their energy consumption and operating costs of community facilities. A further $15,000 grant from the state government supporting Bass Coast Shire Council in their goal to transition the community to zero-net emissions will support the expansion of work begun by the coastal community of Phillip Island, which has committed to to being carbon neutral by 2030. The Victorian Labor government has pledged a 50 pct Renewable Energy Target (VRET) by 2030. (Source: PV Mag., Various Media, 3 May, 2019) Contact: Wonthaggi Coal Mining Museum, www.parkstay.vic.gov.au/state-coal-mine-wonthaggi

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Ellomay
Date: 2019-05-03
Israel-based Ellomay Capital reports it has closed on the project financing for construction of Talasol Solar's 300 MW photovoltaic plant in the municipality of Talaván, in Extramadura, Spain. The company has also closed the sale of 49 pct of its indirect holdings in the project company,

Ellomay expects the Talasol Project's total capital expenditure to be approximately €228 million of which an aggregate amount of approximately €131 million is to be provided by a term loan under the project finance obtained by Talasol from Rabobank, ABN AMRO and Deutsche Bank and the European Investment Bank. (Source: Ellomay, COMPELO, 2 May, 2019) Contact: Ellomay Capital, www.ellomay.com; Talasol Solar, www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/1507005D:SM-talasol-solar-sl

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NORESCO
Date: 2019-05-01
Westborough, Mass.-based energy efficiency specialist NORESCO reports it is implementing self-funding facility improvements at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB) in Biloxi, Mississippi, through a $32.7 million guaranteed energy savings performance contract (ESPC).

The project, contracted through DLA Energy and in collaboration with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, will help the base advance resiliency, security and renewable energy usage while reducing deferred maintenance and energy costs.

The scope of work includes: a 1.5MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array; chiller plant optimization controls; outdated building controls replacement; installation of 30,000 LED light fixtures; and others. The project also includes oversight of the controls and maintenance of the PV array throughout the contract term. (Source: NORESCO, PR 30 April, 2019) Contact: Noresco, www.noresco.com; Keesler AFB, www.keesler.af.mil

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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Date: 2019-04-26
In the UAE, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the consortium led by ACWA Power and Silk Road Fund, are reporting the financial closing of the $13 billion, 950MW fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

According to a DEWA release, the project will use 700MW of CSP; 600MW from a parabolic basin complex and 100MW from a solar tower; and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels and will provide sufficient clean energy for 320,000 residences and reduce 1.6 million tpy of carbon emissions.

The 44 square kilometer project has achieved several world records., including the world's lowest CSP Levelized Cost of Electricity of 7.3 cents (US) per kWh and the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity for photovoltaic technology of 2.4 cents (US) cents per kWh. The project will feature the world's tallest solar tower at 260 metres and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours, according to the release. (Source: DEWA, ESI Africa, 25 April, 2019) Contact: DEWA, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Dubai Electricity and Water Authority,  Solar,  CSP,  PV ,  

Sungrow
Date: 2019-04-22
China-headquartered solar inverter and energy storage system (ESS) specialist Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd reports the official North American debut of its fully Integrated Energy Storage System Solution and DC Coupled PV & Storage System Solutions at ESA's Annual Energy Storage Conference & Expo held recently in Phoenix, Arizona.

As one of the first on the US market to offer high-power capabilities, ST556KWH-250 features four units of 60kW modules which enables flexible design to customize system capacity and module quantity. The main innovation behind the new ESS solution is its integration with Samsung's latest E3 Battery to obtain a smaller size and higher energy densities, along with minimized on-site labor and wiring. The units can be widely used in multiple applications, including peak shaving, demand response and micro-grid. (Source: Sungrow, PR, Renewables, 19 April, 2019) Contact: Sungrow, Jack Gu, Pres., PV & Energy Storage Division, +86 551 6532 7834, info@sungrow.cn, www.en.sungrowpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Sungrow,  PV,  Solar,  Energy STorage,  

Green Building
Date: 2019-04-19
Due to BIPV oriented funding in Denmark from the EUDP and ForskVE RTD programmes (see: www.activehouseroofsandfacades.com ), it has been possible for Cenergia (now a part of Kuben Management to make an agreement with Copenhagen International School) to realise an Active House labelling for them, and to include an online Active House radar with assistance from the company, Leapcraft.

Copenhagen International School (CIS) is a unique building project, for which it has been a pleasure for me and my former colleagues, Miriam Sanchez and Vickie Aagesen to work on. This cooperation also included Karin Kappel from Solar City Denmark, who have carried out amazing work in promoting best practice BIPV architecture since 2004, and Gate21, engaged as a collaborator in relation to the ForskVE realisation.

For Kuben Management, I hope that winning the Active House award will support the idea of working with the Active House standard in practice because it has many benefits and it is not costly to work with. In relation to ForskVE, it has been possible to include several Active House labelled projects in the Danish sustainable building database which can now be viewed in English at www.bæredygtigebygninger.dk.

The idea of working with performance documentation has always been a part of the Active House approach and with the demands for this in the EU Building Directive, it has become increasingly relevant, and something that will be supported by the development towards more digitalisation in buildings. CIS is a good example of a school building with an emphasis on a healthy indoor climate, which had a strong focus in the design process, also based on special demands from the builder, f.ex. when it comes to using decentralised ventilation systems. This is in a scenario where bad indoor climate issues are not uncommon in Danish schools. It is our hope that the qualities documented in the online Active House radar will help to ensure a continuous focus on the indoor climate. I agree that homebuyers can use Active House documentation to help them secure quality but also due to the reasonably low costs to use it. Good advice would be to try to cooperate with other sustainable building quality systems. In the Nordic countries, f.ex. have the Nordic Swan Label which one of the leading contractors (NCC), uses for all their housing projects. My advice for the future is to really focus on new and unique projects, which support the green transition, and to work with engaged builders, such as what we witnessed with the CIS building. CIS is a really good example of what a determined builder can do in practice. Here, the driving force was one of the board members of the school who at the same time was a designer and secured full-scale BIPV Mock-Ups on the actual building site to identify the best possible BIPV design (in cooperation with the experienced BIPV manufacturer, Solar Lab). This actually led to the withdrawal of the architect (C.F. Møller), for a short period, due to risks they saw in connection to the use of completely new technology for almost all facades. In the end, they came back and was deeply engaged in securing the qualities in practice of many of the technical and architectural solutions. (Source: European Green Cities, Open Access Government, 11 April, 2019) Contact: European Green Cities, Peder Vejsig Pedersen, +45 2046 6755, pvp@greencities.eu; Active House, www.activehouseroofsandfacades.com, www.activehouse.info

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green Building,  Energy Efficiency,  

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Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Date: 2019-04-17
In the Land Down Under, the The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, reports will use a new Australian Housing Data (AHD) Portal to track residential energy efficiency progress and to support the next wave of sustainable homes.

Australian Housing Data (AHD) Portal will centralize the vast amount of energy efficiency data that will underpin key decision making, training and awareness of energy efficiency technologies and initiatives.

The portal contains data across states and climate zones and can be further broken down by design such as dwelling class and floor area; construction such as type of walls and roofing; and fixtures and appliances such as solar PV and heating/cooling systems. The AHD Portal can pinpoint where energy efficiency efforts are on track and where more focus, where improvements can be made and energy costs can be cut, according to the release.

The tool can be useful in tracking and supporting the progress of the national energy efficiency plan agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Ministers. This plan sets a trajectory towards zero energy homes and zero carbon homes in Australia. (Source: CSIRO, Open Gov, April, 2019) Contact: CSIRO, +61 3 9545 2176, enquiries@csiro.au, www.csiro.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News CSIRO,  Energy Efficiency,  Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ,  

Sunseap,Starkle Energy
Date: 2019-04-15
Singapore-headquartered solar power specialist Sunseap Group is reporting its agreement to establish a Chinese clean energy investment fund in partnership with local private equity firm Guohe Capital and renewables developer Starkle Energy.

The Guohe Starkle Energy Fund, which will invest in and manage clean energy projects in China with a focus on solar power, will be looking for opportunities in the transport, information and communications and biomedical sectors as well as in the heavy industries. The private equity firm will be in charge of arranging funds, while the two renewable energy firms will consult on the targeted projects and participate in managing, operating and maintaining solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

At the end of 2018, Sunseap had invested in about 1,800 MW of distributed solar power generation, according to a company release. (Source: Sunseap. Renewables, 12 April, 2019) Contact: Sunseap, www.sunseap.com; Guohe Capital, www.guohecapital.com

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Navigant
Date: 2019-04-12
Residential Energy Storage, a new report from Boulder, Colorado-based Navigant Research analyzes the global and regional drivers behind increased residential energy storage system (RESS) deployments, providing capacity and revenue forecasts, broken out by region and battery technology, through 2028.

According to the report, utility involvement, cost declines, government incentives, and increased solar PV integration are driving increased RESS deployments the initial and growing demand for which will be highly concentrated in select markets including Australia, Germany, Japan, and the US which are expected to account for 71 pct of the global RESS market.

Navigant Research Report details are at www.navigantresearch.com. (Source: Navigant Research, newsok, Business Wire, 11 April, 2019) Contact: Navigant Research, Lindsay Funicello-Paul, (781) 270-8456, lindsay.funicello.paul@navigant.com, www.navigantresearch.com

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Community Office for Resource Efficiency
Date: 2019-04-08
In Aspen, Colorado, the not-for-profit Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) reports it issued rebates and grant funding totaling $1.29 million ifor energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the Roaring Fork Valley in 2018. the form of grants and rebates, according to its annual impact report, which was released in March. The agency is partially funded by carbon mitigation fees paid by developers.

CORE's 2018 investments include a robust grant program that has awarded $750,000 for energy efficiency and clean energy, leveraging an investment of $13 million in projects across the Roaring Fork Valley. Grants awarded include projects like Basalt Vista Affordable Housing, the first-ever net-zero neighborhood, and solar photovoltaic (PV) on Snowmass Village Town Hall. An additional $540,000 was provided to residential and commercial property owners through a rebate program.

In 2018, approximately 289 energy projects were completed and over 370 homes received a home energy assessment -- one of CORE's flagship programs -- valued at over $600 and available to residents year-round for a $100 cost. Last year's projects avoided a total of 3,140 metric tons of carbon emissions, the equivalent of planting 51,921 trees, according to a press release. (Source: CORE, Aspen Daily News, 6 April, 2019{ Contact: CORE, 9970) 925-.9775, Energy@AspenCore.org, www.aspencore.org

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Energyra
Date: 2019-04-05
In the Netherlands, solar module manufacturer Energyra, which owns a 100 MW solar panel factory near Amsterdam in province of North Holland, reports it has filed for insolvency court protection and hopes to restart business under controlled administration. The company blamed production equipment delivery delays and a working capital deficit for the insolvency proceedings.

Energyra produces modules based on a Metal Wrap Through (MWT) cell technology provided by Dutch research institute ECN. (Source: Energyra, pv mag, Others, April, 2019) Contact: Energyra, John vanLarhoven, Pres., +31 (0) 251 655 569, info@energyra.com, www.energyra.com

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ACWA Power
Date: 2019-04-05
In the UAE, Saudi Arabian firm ACWA Power reports it has been selected as the primary team for a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system to be constructed in Seih Al-Dahal, 30 miles south from Dubai. When commissioned and online in 2030, the project is expected to produce 950 MW of power total -- 250 megawatts from PV panels and a further 700 from CSP.

The Dubai CSP project's project molten salt tanks will store 15 hours of capacity. The project will involve building an 853-foot solar tower, which its developers claim will be the largest in the world. The solar park as a whole is expected to produce 5 GW gigawatts when completed. (Source: ACWA Power, Inverse, April, 2019) Contact: ACWA Power, +971 4 248 0800, www.acwapower.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News ACWA Power,  Concentrated Solar Power,  CSP,  Solar,  ACWA Power,