Market Watch

Joe Biden’s victory in November’s US election may have taken some time to certify, but there’s every chance his tenure in the White House will be worth the wait for US solar. Molly Lempriere looks at what a Biden administration will do for the industry.

Travel restrictions imposed by countries in response to the coronavirus pandemic have contribution to a slowdown in investment in rural electrification projects. Thomas Hillig examines the extent of the investment freeze and possible solutions to get capital flowing into much needed projects again.

The European Union has pinned its hopes for an economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic on green and digital technologies. Molly Lempriere looks at the part solar could play as details are fleshed out.

With federal support for renewables having been depleted in recent years, utilities in the US have taken a leading role in the deployment of solar and energy storage. Jules Scully examines how integrated resource plans are driving solar deployment.

Recently name checked as among the cheapest places in the world to develop solar, Chile has emerged as a particularly popular destination for solar finance. But as the country proceeds towards a 100% renewables target, political instability and legacy network issues stand in its way. Molly Lempriere explores how Chile can leap those hurdles on its way to a green grid.

An increasing number of banks are turning away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy financing. As Catherine Early reports, despite the chilling effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry, hopes are high that a tipping point is nearing.

A late rally boosted China’s domestic solar installations in 2019 to a better-than-expected 30.22GW. But Frank Haugwitz asks whether a renewed interest in locally available coal and an economic slowdown could conspire to slow recent momentum in China’s energy transition, in which solar has played a central role.

It has always been anticipated that by the early 2020s, the feed-in tariff would have tapered away in Japan’s booming solar market. Andy Colthorpe speaks with analyst Izumi Kaizuka at RTS Corporation to learn more about what the future holds for post-subsidy solar in Japan.

New stats show Turkish solar has swiftly boomed to 6GW despite the national chaos after the 2016 coup attempt. Can the country continue to dodge volatility as it vies to become a 1GW-a-year PV market via a mix of large-scale and net-metering policies? José Rojo investigates.

India’s government insists that its target of 100GW solar by 2022 is still on track. But after 2019 proved another disappointing year, will the sector’s barriers be overcome in time? Catherine Early reports.