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Monday 25 November 2013

solar News

News from Solar Energy


Sunday, November 24, 2013

SunEdison, IFC and OPIC close US$100.4MM Project Financing Arrangement for the Largest Merchant Solar Plant in Latin America

Belmont, CA--(eSolarEnergyNews)-- SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider today announced the closing of a $100.4 million non-recourse debt financing arrangement with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Government's development finance institution and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. The debt proceeds will be used in Chile for the construction of a 50.7 MWp solar power plant, to inject energy directly into the Central Interconnected System (SIC), selling all its production in the spot market (merchant solar).

OPIC is providing $62.9 million of debt, IFC is providing a parallel loan of U.S. $37.5 million and Rabobank is providing a local Chilean Peso VAT facility for the equivalent of U.S. $25.6 million.

Interconnection of the 50.7 MWp plant is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2014. Once completed, the project, called "San Andres" and located in the Atacama region, is set to become the largest solar photovoltaic merchant plant in Latin America in 2014 and one of the largest in the world.

Pancho Perez, SunEdison President for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, stated, "This plant represents significant growth for SunEdison and Chile's PV industry, and significant value creation for SunEdison, investors and the region. The San Andres merchant PV plant highlights SunEdison's ability to deploy innovative energy solutions that address consumers' electricity needs, contribute to national economic growth by reducing energy cost, and serve as a reference for the industry worldwide. We are very proud to partner once again with OPIC, IFC and Rabobank in Chile to enable this worldwide flagship project."

Perez added, "When completed, San Andres will be the one of the first merchant PV plants and will demonstrate that solar photovoltaic is already a competitive energy source in countries like Chile. This project reinforces SunEdison's leadership in the Latin American renewable energy market and reaffirms our commitment to clean energy industry development in Chile."

"OPIC is excited to support this landmark project which will help Chile take advantage of its solar potential, increase access to energy, and create local jobs," said Elizabeth L. Littlefield, OPIC President and CEO. "This is an important renewable energy project for OPIC in Chile and we look forward to advancing it while continuing our strong partnership with SunEdison."

"This project proves that with the right sponsors, domestic environment and financiers, debt financing has become a viable option for merchant solar plants. IFC's support is a continuation of our strategy to promote commercially competitive renewable solutions in Chile and the wider region," said Jean Philippe Prosper, IFC Vice President for Sub- Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Rabobank is very pleased to extend our relationship with SunEdison with financing for this second Chilean PV solar energy plant," said Thomas Emmons, Head of Project Finance for Rabobank in the Americas.  "Our support of both the San Andres and Amanecer Solar CAP projects signals our belief in the long-term prospects for renewable energy in Chile, where we are also active in agribusiness lending, and our commitment to partnering with leaders in the solar power industry such as SunEdison."

About SunEdison

SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE), formerly MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., is a global leader in semiconductor and solar technology, and a leading solar energy services provider dedicated to transforming lives through innovation. SunEdison provides innovative, advanced technology solutions to corporations, utilities, governments and leading chip manufacturers to transform lives around the world. With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe and Asia, the company focuses on innovation throughout our business. We carry this commitment throughout our global sales, manufacturing, and support organizations. As of June 30, 2013, SunEdison has interconnected over 700 power plants representing more than 1 Gigawatt of solar energy. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com

About IFC

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity. In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world's most pressing development challenges. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

About OPIC:

OPIC is the U.S. Government's development finance institution. It mobilizes private capital to help solve critical development challenges and in doing so, advances U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC works with the U.S. private sector, it helps U.S. businesses gain footholds in emerging markets catalyzing revenues, jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC achieves its mission by providing investors with financing, guarantees, political risk insurance, and support for private equity investment funds. Established as an agency of the U.S. Government in 1971, OPIC operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to American taxpayers. OPIC services are available for new and expanding business enterprises in more than 150 countries worldwide. To date, OPIC has supported nearly $200 billion of investment in over 4,000 projects, generated an estimated $75 billion in U.S. exports and supported more than 277,000 American jobs. For more information about OPIC please visit www.opic.gov

About Rabobank:

Rabobank Group is a global financial services leader providing wholesale and retail banking, leasing, real estate services, and renewable energy project financing to clients around the world. Founded over a century ago, Rabobank is one of the largest and safest banks in the world, with nearly $1 trillion in assets and operations in more than 40 countries, and ranks among the world's ten safest banks (Global Finance magazine.) Internationally, Rabobank is a premier bank to the food, beverage and agribusiness industry, as well as a leading financial partner in the renewable energy and project finance area. www.rabobank.com

Monday 8 July 2013

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Tuesday 2 July 2013

cabadian solar



GUELPH, Ontario, July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Canadian Solar Inc, one of the world's largest solar power companies, today announced that it has been awarded an exclusive module supply agreement to provide photovoltaic modules totaling 91MW for Soleq Solar Co. Ltd. power plant projects in Thailand.

The solar power plants will be owned and operated by Soleq. Juwi, one of the world's leading enterprises in the renewable energy sector, will provide engineering, procurement and construction services for seven projects with a total capacity of 61MW located in the provinces of Kamphaeng Phet in the northwest and Ubon Ratchathani in the east. Bouygues Construction, a world leader in building, civil engineering, electrical contracting and maintenance, will provide EPC services for three projects in the Tak and Sukhothai provinces of north-east Thailand.

"We chose to work with Canadian Solar because of their vast industry experience and track record delivering high quality modules to large scale solar power projects worldwide," said Adam Balin, Soleq. "Canadian Solar understands our requirements for quality and reliability, and is a perfect fit with our focus on maximizing return on investment while generating clean, renewable energy for Thailand."

"We are honored to be selected to supply our modules for Soleq's landmark power plants in Thailand," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar. "We are also pleased with the progress of our market diversification strategy to reduce our exposure to European markets and to minimize policy risk. This module supply agreement underscores our success expanding our global footprint, building new customer relationships, and gaining market share in important growth markets."

Canadian Solar will supply its CS6X high output modules for the projects. Module deliveries have already commenced and are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013.

First solar breaks ground in Mexico

First Solar Breaks Ground on Largest Solar Power Plant in Texas

EL PASO, Texas & TEMPE, Ariz. & SANTA FE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--El Paso Electric Power, The New Mexico State Land Office and First Solar, Inc announced today that construction has commenced on what will be the state’s largest solar power plant, located on State Trust Land near Deming in Luna County.

While in the construction phase, the Macho Springs Solar Project will provide approximately 300 jobs. Construction is expected to be completed by May of 2014, and the active power plant will include three operational and maintenance jobs.

“This is a milestone for not only El Paso Electric, but our customers and this region,” said Tom Shockley, El Paso Electric Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to the continued growth of this technology in a cost effective manner.”

“This solar power project will provide clean, efficient solar power for use by New Mexicans,” said New Mexico State Land Commissioner Ray Powell. “Also, it benefits the local and regional economy include millions of dollars in direct and indirect economic benefits, and about 300 temporary construction jobs, while at the same time earning money for our public schools, universities, special schools, and hospitals.”

Under a 20-year power purchase agreement between El Paso Electric and First Solar, the 50MWac project will generate enough clean energy to power more than 18,000 average customer homes in the El Paso Electric service territory. The project will displace more than 40,000 metric tons of CO2, the equivalent of taking 7,500 cars off the road, and will displace more than 340,000 metric tons of water consumption annually.

“First Solar values the support and leadership provided by El Paso Electric and the New Mexico State Land Office for this project,” said Michael Hatfield, First Solar Director of Project Development. “The Macho Springs Solar Plant will be an exciting addition to the region’s renewable energy resources.”

The project represents a system resource for El Paso Electric Company as the Company will purchase the entire output power from the Macho Springs solar power project to serve its New Mexico and Texas service territory. This project was secured by El Paso Electric through an all-source competitive Request for Proposal process conducted in 2011. The project will operate on a commercial lease from the State Land Office on about 500 acres of land at Macho Springs, near Deming. First Solar also has an interconnection agreement with El Paso Electric.