Solar stocks plunge after Trump's tax plan advances in US House
The shares of U.S. Solar companies dropped sharply on Thursday in premarket trading after the House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump's tax and spending plan, which could end many green-energy subsides that supported the renewable energy industry. Sunrun was the worst hit, with a share price drop of up to 33%. Complete Solaria dropped by nearly 22%, while Enphase Energy and Maxeon Solar, as well as SolarEdge Technologies, fell between 10% and 15%.
The vote of the US Trade Panel opens the door to imposing stiff tariffs on solar imports
The U.S. International Trade Commission decided on Tuesday that a flood cheap imports from Southeast Asian countries threatened or materially damaged domestic solar panel manufacturers. This decision brings the United States closer to imposing heavy duties on these goods. The three-member ITC voted "yes", meaning that the Commerce Department would issue orders to enforce anti-dumping and countervailing tariffs on solar panels imported from Malaysia. Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This was a decision the agency made last month.
Top trade group says House bill will choke off US solar investment
A top solar trade association warned that legislation advanced by Republicans last week in the U.S. House of Representatives could threaten 300 solar and energy storage plants and destroy nearly 300,000 American jobs. The Solar Energy Industries Association's analysis comes during a lobbying campaign aimed at convincing U.S. legislators to protect clean energy tax credit, which under the Republican plan will be phased out faster and have new restrictions on using Chinese-made components.
China's thermal energy generation fell 2.3% on an annual basis in April
Official data released on Monday showed that thermal power generation in China fueled primarily by coal fell by 2.3% in April. It also dropped 4.1% between January and April. This is in line with the expectation that China's fossil fuelled power production could drop in 2025, for the first dip in 10 years. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that China generated 449.1 billion Kilowatt-hours last month, and 1.98 trillion in total for the year.
Wood Mackenzie warns that Australia will not meet its renewable energy target.
Wood Mackenzie, a consultancy, said that Australia will fall well short of its target to generate 82% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, due to state-level rollbacks and grid connection delays, as well as inadequate investment. Australia is one of the most polluting countries in the world per capita because it produces coal-powered electricity. It has plans to close all coal-fired power stations by 2038. The center-left Labor Government…
Ethiopia signs mineral and energy deals valued at $1.7 billion with Chinese companies
Ethiopia's Finance Ministry said that it has signed deals worth over $1.7 billion with Chinese companies, mainly in the minerals and energy sector. The East African nation is undergoing a massive reform program, including the flotation and restructuring of its debt of $8.4 billion with its official creditors. In a late-night statement, the Finance Ministry announced that two-day Addis Ababa investment conference participants had signed agreements worth more than $1.7 million to invest in the country.
Last-ditch lobbying campaign aims to save Biden’s clean-energy tax credit
Trade groups in the U.S. Energy Industry have launched a last minute lobbying campaign to urge Congress to spare former President Joe Biden’s clean energy tax credit from being cut out of the Republican budget plan. The House Ways and Means Committee proposed on Monday that several lucrative subsidies in Biden's signature climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, be phased out or cancelled. Several subsidies related to solar and wind power, hydrogen and other technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions are on the table.
China solar stocks rise on rumours of a polysilicon production reduction
Chinese solar stocks and polysilicon price rose after local media reported on Tuesday that producers may reduce their output. According to Tuesday's report by China's Securities Times, Nasdaq listed Daqo New Energy rose initially nearly 18%, while Tongwei shares reached their trading limit. This was in response to a rumour on the market that a leading polysilicon manufacturer had proposed production reductions to support prices. The report…
Germany proposes grid fees overhaul to better fit renewables
The German network regulator started Monday a formal procedure to rethink electricity grid fees, with the goal of a system that is better suited for renewable energy. The use of the electricity network accounts for around 20% in Germany's consumer bills. This contributes to the high energy prices in Europe that hurt the economy and industry. Reform is needed to increase revenue and include more stakeholders in the costs of network expansion.
US tariffs and Europe's slowdown change global solar panel trade
Trade data revealed that solar panel manufacturers in Laos, Indonesia and Cambodia, which are mostly owned by Chinese companies, increased their market share in the U.S. after tariffs on exports to other Southeast Asian nations, including Cambodia and Thailand were imposed. After two rounds of tariffs last June and November, the U.S. Government finalised steep levies against imports of solar modules and cells from Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand in April.
US tariffs and Europe's slowdown change global solar panel trade
Trade data revealed that solar panel manufacturers in Laos, Indonesia and Cambodia, which are mostly owned by Chinese companies, increased their market share in the U.S. after tariffs on exports to other Southeast Asian nations, including Cambodia and Thailand were imposed. After two rounds of tariffs last June and November, the U.S. Government finalised its steep levies against imports of solar modules and cells from Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand in April.
Upgrades to the EU's power grid are needed at a cost of trillions of dollars in order to avoid blackouts similar to those that occurred in Spain
To cope with the increasing demand for electricity, and the growing green energy production in Europe, and to prevent blackouts, trillions of dollars will be needed to invest. Spain and Portugal experienced their worst power outages in a week. Analysts and industry representatives believe that infrastructure investment will be essential, regardless of the results. Authorities are currently investigating the cause. The blackout served as a warning. The blackout showed the urgent need to upgrade and strengthen Europe's electrical grid.
Upgrades to the EU's power grid are needed at a cost of trillions of dollars in order to avoid blackouts similar to those that occurred in Spain
To cope with the increasing demand for electricity, and the growing green energy production in Europe, and to prevent blackouts, trillions of dollars will be needed to invest. Spain and Portugal experienced their worst power outages in a week. Analysts and industry representatives believe that infrastructure investment will be essential, regardless of the results. Authorities are currently investigating the cause. The blackout served as a warning. The blackout showed the urgent need to upgrade and strengthen Europe's electrical grid.
Maguire: US LNG exports reach new heights due to strong European demand
The U.S. has exported more than 20% of its LNG this year compared to the same period last year, mainly due to purchases from European nations. These countries accounted for three-quarters of all U.S. orders. According to Kpler (a trade intelligence firm), the total U.S. LNG shipments from January to April reached 34.6 million tons. This was by far, the highest volume ever recorded for this period. The United States exported 26.5 million tonnes or 77% of its total volume to European countries.
Maguire: US LNG exports reach new heights due to strong European demand
The U.S. has exported more than 20% of its LNG this year compared to the same period last year, primarily due to purchases from European nations. These countries accounted for three-quarters of all U.S. orders. According to Kpler (a trade intelligence firm), the total U.S. LNG shipments from January through April was 34.6 million tons. This is by far, the highest volume ever recorded for this period. The United States exported 26.5 million tonnes or 77% of its total volume to European countries.
China's solar sector remains red as the trade war causes problems
China's solar producers reported losses in the last week, as President Donald Trump's Trade War put additional pressure on demand. This was an industry that already faced low prices and tariffs for exports to America. Longi Green Energy, JinkoSolar and other top producers reported a combined net loss of 1.4 bn yuan (193 million dollars) in the first quarter. Losses for competitors JA Solar, Trina Solar, and others totaled 1.6 bn yuan, 1.3 mn yuan, and 1.6 mn yuan respectively.
First Solar reduces its annual sales and profits forecast due to near-term tariff problems
First Solar lowered their annual sales and profits forecasts on Tuesday, citing near-term challenges due to the ongoing U.S. - China trade war. They also cited a tepid demand for residential solar in the United States. This sent its shares down by 11% after hours trading. The U.S. demand for residential solar has been weakening due to high rates of interest and new metering regulations in California, the top market. These reforms have decreased the credits that customers get when they feed excess electricity into the grid.
Hong Kong listings indicate a market in full swing, despite tariff tensions elsewhere.
Hong Kong's stock markets are still active despite the trade tensions between China and the U.S. Book building for these deals is occurring as the global financial markets are roiled due to the massive tariffs that the U.S. has imposed on China's trade. These tariffs threaten the commerce which underpins growth in the two world's largest economies. Companies are holding off on new offerings and listings due to the uncertainty. Despite the turmoil, some Chinese firms are still going strong.
UK bans state investments in solar panels that are linked to forced labor
The energy department announced on Wednesday that Britain will avoid using solar panels associated with suspected forced labor in China by its new state-owned company, Great British Energy. Over 80% of solar panels are produced in China. According to a study by the UK's Sheffield Hallam University, forced labour is used in the production of polysilicon - one of the panel's core components - among Uyghurs. China denies all abuses, and in…
Enphase Energy misses quarterly profit estimates, forecasts weak Q2 revenue
Enphase Energy, a solar inverter manufacturer, missed analyst expectations for the first-quarter profit due to a softening of demand in the United States. It also forecast revenue for the second-quarter below market expectations. Shares dropped 12.5% in after market trading. Enphase's residential solar inverter sales were affected by a softening of demand in California, the top U.S. state. The reform will be implemented in 2023. Enphase…
US finalizes tariffs against Southeast Asian solar imports
U.S. Trade officials finalized tariffs on solar panels and cells from Southeast Asia. This is a major step in settling a trade dispute that has been raging for a year, with American manufacturers accusing their rivals overseas of flooding the market unfairly with cheap goods. The Commerce Department imposed preliminary antidumping, antisubsidy, countervailing duty on solar equipment imported from Malaysia, Cambodia Thailand and Vietnam last year.
Ember reports that renewables will provide 32% of the global electricity by 2024.
A report from the energy think-tank Ember on Tuesday revealed that renewable power generated a record 32% global electricity in 2017. The overall electricity demand increased 4%, driven by heatwaves, data centres, and other factors. Euan Graham, Ember's electricity and data analyst, said that energy security concerns, which are exacerbated by the trade war caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports from the United States, could increase demand for renewable energy this year.
Albanese, an Australian company, has pledged A$2.3 billion in order to assist homeowners with solar batteries
The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged A$2.3billion ($1.39billion) on Sunday to help homeowners purchase batteries to store solar energy and reduce their energy costs. This is a key issue for the 3 May general election. Albanese’s center-left Labor is neck-and-neck with the Liberal-National Opposition led by Peter Dutton in opinion polls. Dutton has been campaigning on a plan for lower electricity bills by forcing LNG producers to divert some of their exports to domestic use.
Maxeon Solar will establish alternative supply chains in the face of tariff turmoil
Maxeon Solar Technologies, a renewable energy company, announced on Friday that it would create alternative supply and manufacturing chains in response to the tariffs levied by U.S. president Donald Trump. After the bell, shares of the company rose 4.6%. The move comes in the midst of a global trade war that is intensifying after Trump on Thursday imposed a baseline 10% tariff on all U.S. imported goods, as well as higher duties on dozens other countries.
Modi's India aims to strengthen energy and defence ties during Sri Lanka visit
India wants to promote investment and strengthen defence and energy ties with Sri Lanka during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the island country, where New Delhi is competing with China for more influence. Modi will arrive in Sri Lanka on Friday night. He is the first world leader to be hosted by Anura Kumara dissanayake since he assumed office. Sri Lanka wants to attract foreign investments to stabilize its economy following a financial crisis that occurred in 2022 during which India contributed $4 billion.
US to develop AI on Energy Department Lands
On Thursday, the administration of Donald Trump announced that it had identified 16 sites in the U.S. Department of Energy where data centers and energy plants to support artificial intelligence could be built. The rapid growth of AI has led to a boom in the demand for power in the United States, which is unprecedented in 20 years. Big Tech companies and utilities are scrambling to build data centers and new power plants. The DOE stated that the potential sites were positioned to allow rapid construction of data centers…
Shell cancels onshore and solar wind projects in Brazil
Shell has announced that it will discontinue its solar and wind energy generation projects in Brazil as part of "portfolio adjustments", the company stated on Thursday. The move is made in an unfavorable climate for renewable energy investments in Brazil. Projects have been unable to be implemented because of a lack of demand, slow growth in supply, and regulatory issues. Shell's global strategy also includes a reduction in spending on renewable and low-carbon businesses.
The prize is worth billions of dollars, but winning it is the key: Russell
Decarbonising steel is one of the biggest challenges to meeting climate goals. However, it could be extremely profitable for those companies and governments willing to take on the risk. Steel value chain is responsible for 7 to 9% global carbon emissions. It is the biggest industrial contributor, and therefore a primary target for many countries' and companies' goals for net-zero in 2050. About 80% of the steel emissions are caused by one single process.
IRENA: Global renewable energy capacity still falls short of target despite record growth in last year
The International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) report on Wednesday showed that the global renewable energy capacity grew at a record rate in 2024, but still fell short of the 2030 target. Renewables will account for 92.5% (or 585 GW) of the new energy capacity in 2024, a record growth rate of 15.1%. This brings total renewables to 4,448 gigawatts. The progress is still below the 11,2 terawatts required to meet the Paris Climate Agreement and the global goal that renewable energy installations will triple by 2030.
The EU Commission has told Spain that it will not pay in a long-running case of renewable subsidies
The European Commission gave Spain a win on Monday when it told the country that they would not be paying any compensation for claims in the billions of Euros for renewable energy subsidies cut over a decade earlier. After the conservative government of Spain cut renewables subsidies to reduce an artificially low power tariff deficit that had been built up over years, foreign investors, mainly investment funds, filed a lawsuit against Spain.
Laos signs clean energy agreement worth $1.45 billion with Chinese industrial company
Laos signed a clean energy agreement worth $1.45 billion with a Chinese manufacturer of power plant equipment as it continues its drive to generate and transmit clean electricity. China Western Power Industrial and a Singaporean construction company signed an agreement with Xekong Thermal Power Plant, Laos. The project will design, supply and build a 1,800 megawatt clean energy power plant in southern Laos. This was revealed in a filing on the Sichuan stock exchange by the Sichuan based company.
Russell: Renewables and gas are gaining ground on coal and oil
The latest review of the International Energy Agency shows that renewables and gas are the most popular energy sources. In its Global Energy Review published on Monday, the IEA described this growth rate as "faster-than-average". Electricity, the fastest growing sector, grew 4.3% by 2024 or almost twice the average annual growth rate of the last decade. In 2024, the IEA reported that renewable power capacity increased by 700 gigawatts. This was a record-breaking annual increase for a 22nd consecutive time.
India receives investments of $19 billion through the Key Production Scheme, says government
The trade ministry announced on Saturday that India's main manufacturing scheme had received nearly $19 billion in investments as of November of last year. This comes a day after reports New Delhi would let the $23 billion incentive program expire due to disappointing results. Reports indicate that the incentive scheme won't be expanded beyond 14 sectors piloted and that production deadlines won't be extended, despite requests by some participating companies.
India receives investments of $19 billion through the Key Production Scheme, says government
The trade ministry announced on Saturday that India's main manufacturing scheme had received nearly $19 billion in investments as of November of last year. This comes a day after reports New Delhi would let the $23 billion incentive program expire due to disappointing results. Reports indicate that the incentive scheme won't be expanded beyond the 14 pilot sectors, and production deadlines won't be extended in spite of requests from participating firms.
UK invests $260 Million on solar panels for hospitals and schools
GB Energy, a state-owned firm, will be leading a 200 million pound ($260) solar panel project to benefit hospitals and schools in Britain, the country announced on Friday. This is the first investment made by the company since its establishment last year, with the goal of lowering electricity bills. GB Energy, a key component of the Labour Government's plan to improve the public services in Britain as well as to help revive the British economy, was created in October in order to encourage investment in renewable energy.
Cuba is on track to install fifty solar parks by the end of this year, according to the Ministry
The Energy Ministry announced late Wednesday that Cuba was making progress with a China-backed project to install over 50 solar parks in this year, capable of producing more than 1,000 Megawatts. This comes just days after Cuba's outdated grid collapsed, leaving millions without power. Energy officials released the most detailed report on the progress of the plan, stating that two solar parks were completed in February, one in Havana, and another in Cienfuegos, and six more by the end March.
Sources: Masdar, the UAE's solar energy company, is in negotiations with Endesa for a $200 million deal.
According to a document and two sources who are familiar with the matter, Masdar Abu Dhabi Renewable Energy Company and Endesa Spanish Power Utility are close to a deal in which Masdar would pay approximately $200 million for a 49% stake in Endesa's solar portfolio. The agreement for the approximately 450 megawatts portfolio would build on the partnership that already exists between the two companies, and further expand Masdar’s operations in Spain. It sees Spain as a key country for its European expansion. Endesa has declined to comment.
Terabase Energy receives $130 Million to expand solar technology
Terabase Energy, a solar technology company, announced Thursday that it had secured funding from SoftBank of $130 millions to scale up its technology for large projects. Terabase Energy now has a total of $200 million in funding, making it the largest funding round in its history. The amount raised by the company was not disclosed. Solar and energy storage accounted for 84% of new capacity added to US power grids last year, but the sector is facing a difficult future because the U.S. Government's new policies encourage fossil fuels. U.S.
Wall Street Journal, March 13,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Intel has named Lip-Bu Tang as its new CEO. Intel chose a long-time industry executive and former board member to help the company turn things around. Sunnova Energy is one of the largest residential solar companies in the United States and is planning to meet with its creditors to discuss options, such as a possible bankruptcy filing. The company owes approximately $8.5 billion.
Iberdrola is looking for a partner to help it develop a 1 GW renewable energy portfolio, according to sources
According to two sources familiar with the situation, Spanish energy company Iberdrola seeks a partner who is willing to purchase a minority interest in a renewables portfolio of about 1 gigawatt. Sources described the project under the name "Romeo 2.0." This is a portfolio of 1.3 GW wind and solar assets that Norway's sovereign fund will take a 49% share in in 2023, in a deal valued at around 1.2 billion euro ($1.30 billion). The project was called Romeo.
Report: Solar power will account for 84% of the new US electricity added in 2024.
A report released on Tuesday stated that solar energy contributed 84% of the new electricity generation capacity to the U.S. grid in the past year. However, the industry will face challenges with the new energy policies adopted by the U.S. government. In a report, Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), said that the country will install 50 gigawatts of new solar power in 2024. They added that this is the largest growth year for any energy technology over the past two decades.
Republicans protect green tax credits through budget bill
According to a Monday letter, a group of Republican legislators urged the House Committee drafting the proposed tax cuts for President Donald Trump in the upcoming Budget Reconciliation Bill to preserve the clean energy tax credit enacted by the Biden Administration to protect private sector investment in their districts. The letter, led by New York Republican congressman Andrew Garbarino called on Ways and Means chairman Jason Smith to…
A letter from the industry says that over $13 billion worth of solar and wind investments are at risk in Vietnam.
Adani Green Energy, as well as more than two dozen other foreign and Vietnamese investors have warned that Vietnam's plans for retroactively changing rules on subsidised wind and solar prices could impact over $13 billion in investments. Investors expressed "deep concern" in a letter dated 5 March and reviewed by that the end of the favourable energy tariffs could threaten financial stability. They also noted the policy change would undermine confidence and undermine the country's plans to expand its renewables.
Morocco approves green hydrogen projects worth $32.5 bln
The Moroccan government's green hydrogen committee approved projects worth 319 billion dirhams (32.5 billion dollars) on Thursday. These projects aim to produce ammonia and steel, as well as industrial fuel. The Moroccan committee selected Ortus of the United States, Acciona from Spain and Nordex from Germany to produce green ammonia. It said that a project to produce ammonia by Taqa in the UAE and Cepsa in Spain, as well as a plan to make ammonia fuel and steel by Nareva of Morocco, was also approved.
Corning and US solar manufacturers join forces to produce American-made panels
The companies announced on Thursday that Corning, a technology company, has signed a deal to produce the first solar panel made entirely of American components. The alliance between Georgia's Suniva and Corning, a panel manufacturer, is an important milestone in efforts to create a U.S. manufacturing sector for solar that can compete with China. Heliene, based in Canada, produces panels in Minnesota. Corning, through its subsidiary Hemlock Semiconductor…
