Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump has removed Turkey from the list of developing nations not subject to Section 201 tariffs on PV cells and modules.

Just two years after reaching 500,000 monitored PV systems, SolarEdge has doubled the mark; one million for anybody keeping score at home.

Things are hotting up in the tracker world as the desire to squeeze down the price per Watt of solar power intensifies. And the rise of the trackers is attracting some well-known businesses to buy their way into the field.

SolarEdge has recently purchased an Italian EV system manufacturer, a South Korean battery maker, an Israeli UPS producer, internally developed a virtual power plant grid service, and now they’re working with Google to integrate energy management tools into Google Assistant.

Caterpillar-branded SunPower modules will be available in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East – but not yet the United States.

In a slow global solar market, SolarEdge grew total shipments 44% year-over-year, expanded its presence in the C&I market, and grew global sales. Margins did slip, and growth rates were slower.

The power electronics maker will buy 75% of Kokam’s shares for $88 million, with an intent to acquire the remainder thereafter. Strategic company acquisitions and close partnerships are characterizing this year’s inverter market, as companies seek to diversify and integrate storage systems and other technologies.

Elon Musk has revealed that a Saudi sovereign wealth fund has approached him with a definite offer, and has announced advisors as the company forms a special committee.

The Dubai-based company will base their U.S. operations in Arizona. They launch with a 50 MW portfolio as EPC and/or co-development service provider.

The U.S. government’s lender for U.S. interests operating in developing markets increased clean energy financing in 2017, despite the arrival of the Trump Administration and an ongoing investigation.