MUFG captures number 1 ranking as 2016’s top lead arranger for clean-energy and energy-smart technologies’ financings

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG, New York), one of the world’s leading financial institutions, today announced that it topped the 2016 global Lead Arranger rankings for financing clean-energy and energy-smart technologies.

By claiming the top spot on the annual Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) league table, 

MUFG has now placed first among private sector banks for the fifth time in the past seven years.

In 2016, MUFG financed 53 clean-energy and energy-smart technology projects, totaling USD 2.9 billion in credits for a market share of 6.64%, according to Bloomberg.

These figures represent a year-over-year increase from 2015, when MUFG led 40 deals for total credits of USD 2.6 billion.

In the year-ago standings, MUFG placed second among lead arrangers for private sector banks after finishing first in 2014, 2012, and 2010. MUFG, the world’s fifth-largest bank in total assets, ranked No. 1 among all lenders in 2013, and No. 2 among private sector banks in 2011.

“These rankings acknowledge the solutions-based services and dedication that MUFG’s project finance professionals bring to clients in the Americas and all over the world,” said Jonathan Lindenberg, MUFG’s deputy head of investment banking and head of structured finance for the Americas.

MUFG was financing renewable energy projects with a total capacity of more than 30 GW

Globally, approximately 41% of MUFG’s total project finance lending in the power sector goes to renewable energy projects; in the Americas.

In the Americas, as of December 31^st, 2016, MUFG was financing renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of more than 30 gigawatts – enough to power approximately 10 million U.S. homes.

MUFG’s new investments in renewable energy increased by about 10% in 2016 compared with 2015, according to Bloomberg, despite a worldwide 18% decline in the category to USD 287.5 billion in 2016.

Even with the fall in global investments in the renewable energy industry in 2016, Bloomberg said bright spots included: a year-over-year increase of 126 gigawatts from 119 gigawatts in installed capacity of wind and solar power; and, as prices for turbines fell, an increase in offshore wind power investments – with most of the projects located in Europe.

 source:http://www.solarserver.com

Midsummer announces yet another order for thin film solar cell manufacturing system from an undisclosed Asian customer

 

Midsummer AB (Järfälla), a Swedish provider of equipment for manufacturing of flexible CIGS thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, on January 30^th, 2017 announced yet another order from an undisclosed Asian customer, for a compact DUO solar cell manufacturing system.

The DUO manufacturing system will be delivered in August 2017.

“This order makes Midsummer’s DUO the most widely distributed CIGS technology worldwide and confirms our leading position. Our new results showing solar modules with over 14 per cent conversion efficiency has led to increased demand for our manufacturing systems,” comments Sven Lindström, CEO, Midsummer AB.

 source:http://www.solarserver.com

Hawaiian Electric Companies commission 27.6 MW Waianae solar PV project, the largest in operation in Hawaii today

 

With the 27.6 MW Waianae solar photovoltaic (PV) project coming into service, the Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO) take another step on the path to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2045.

The PV array, which went into service in mid-January 2017, is the largest in operation in Hawaii today and generates solar power equivalent to the electricity used by about 11,000 homes.

Solar power to be sold at about 14.5 cents per kWh

Developed, owned and operated by the independent power producer Eurus Energy America on about 200 acres in West Oahu, Waianae Solar will sell solar power to Hawaiian Electric at about 14.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, making it one of the state's lowest-cost renewable energy projects.

The project broke ground in March 2016 after approval by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

“Waianae Solar is a vital addition to Hawaii's portfolio of renewable energy resources and we appreciate the role that the Waianae community serves in hosting this important project,” said Alan Oshima, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric.

“Oahu is challenged with having the greatest population and electricity demand but fewer sites where larger renewable energy projects are possible.”

Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light recently asked the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to start the process of seeking new renewable energy generation on Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Hawaii Island targeting projects that can be in service by the end of 2020. 

source:

 http://www.solarserver.com

Three Phoenix Solar PV projects honored with Global Leading RES Awards

Phoenix Solar AG (Sulzemoos, Germany) has been awarded Global Leading RES Awards for three of its solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

In the First Mover category, awards were granted to the Phoenix Solar 5.3 MWp KAPSARC I and II projects (commissioned in 2012 and 2014), built on behalf of Saudi Aramco in Ryadh – as the first utility scale ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Saudi Arabia.

Awards were granted as well to the 9.1 MWp Solentegre project (commissioned in 2016) being the first fully licensed and, therefore, also currently the largest solar PV power plant in Turkey.

Distinguished in the Largest Project category was the Munich Trade Fair rooftop system, outstanding at the time when it was designed and built by Phoenix Solar AG (in 2002) as the most powerful commercial PV rooftop system worldwide.

“As there are tens of thousands of PV and EES installations implemented every year, there is only little awareness for projects of particular importance,” stated Leo Ganz, Partner and Head of Key Account Management and Markets at DCTI.

“Therefore, it is important to acknowledge industry pioneers and to enhance the stakeholders' confidence,” Ganz added.

For the first time, the German CleanTech Institute (DCTI) together with EuPD Research, the Joint Forces for Solar (JF4S) initiative and the International Battery & Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA) now certified exceptional achievements in the areas of photovoltaic (PV) and electrical energy storage (EES). For the Global Leading RES Awards, more than 300 project applications from all over the world were filed. Reaching from Australia to Germany and from Tajikistan to India, 46 outstanding PV and EES projects in the categories First Mover, Tech Driver, Innovative Application, Unique Location and Largest Project were identified and distinguished by an international panel of renewable energy experts.

 source:http://www.solarserver.com

SolAmerica Energy launches 1.3 MW solar PV project on former president Carter’s farm in Plains, Georgia

 

Atlanta-based SolAmerica Energy will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its latest solar photovoltaic (PV) project, on February 8^th, 2017 in Plains, Georgia.

Former President Jimmy Carter leased a 10-acre site in his hometown to SolAmerica for development of the 1.3 MW solar PV project, which will provide over 50% of the power needs of the City of Plains.

Through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Georgia Power, this PV project will help expand the growth of renewable energy assets in Georgia, while contributing to the overall economy of Plains.

SolAmerica developed, engineered and installed the single-axis tracker solar array on Carter’s property. Over the next 25 years, the system is projected to generate over 55 million kilowatt hours of solar power in Plains.

“Rosalynn and I are very pleased to be part of SolAmerica’s exciting solar project in Plains. Distributed, clean energy generation is critical to meeting growing energy needs around the world while fighting the effects of climate change,” commented Carter, an early advocate and leader of the renewable energy movement during his tenure in the White House.

“I am encouraged by the tremendous progress that solar and other clean energy solutions have made in recent years and expect those trends to continue.”

President Carter created the Department of Energy and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and signed the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURPA), all catalysts for the advancement of renewable energy in the U.S. Carter was also the first president to put solar panels on the White House.

“We are honored to work with President Carter and his family on this project in Plains, as President Carter’s leadership on renewable energy matters is well known and much appreciated in our industry,” added SolAmerica executive vice president George Mori. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

Greensmith Energy completes 20 MW/80 MWh Aliso Canyon energy storage system in California

 

Greensmith Energy (Herndon, VA, U.S.), a provider of energy storage software and turn-key solutions, on January 27^th, 2017 announced the successful completion and grid-connect of the first 20 MW/80 MWh energy storage system at the AltaGas Pomona Energy Facility in Pomona, California.

Working in close partnership with AltaGas, who selected the technology company in 2016, Greensmith claims an industry record in the design, integration and installation of a state-of-the-art energy storage system in under four months – in response to the Aliso Canyon gas shortage.

“With over 50 system deliveries in the last five years, Greensmith has worked not only to advance technology but accelerate time-to-market for grid-scale energy storage systems – with a 100% safety record,” said John Jung, President & CEO of Greensmith.

“This project had a very tight construction and delivery time frame given the sheer size of the project,” added Jim Murphy, CFO & COO of Greensmith.

Since 2008, Greensmith has been designing and deploying energy storage solutions. With over 180 MW of energy storage installed, Greensmith continues to dominate the grid-scale energy storage market and set standards for innovation, safety and reliability, the company emphasizes. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com