Latin America is revered for its solar resource. Concentrating photovoltaics (CPV) is seen as a promising technology because of its ability to further harness that solar power. Now, an American-based CPV company is working to bring large-scale developments south of the U.S. border.

California-based Skyline Solar has been busy with a 500-kilowatt installation in Durango, Mexico. Due to come online within the next couple of months, the project will become the largest CPV installation in Latin America.

The company recently told Clean Energy Authority that it is working on projects in both Mexico and Chile, and that it is positioning itself to take advantage of a market that is set to take off.

 

DEEPER LOOK AT MEXICO

How Much Solar Is There in Mexico?: Mexico is taking a hard look at its solar future by working to measure its solar potential. The work could ultimately impact how it sets its renewable policy.

 

IN THE NEWS

Haiti Receives $20 Million Grant for Hydro Restoration: Restoration of Haiti's Peligre hydroelectric plant took a step closer toward becoming reality after the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) announced the approval of a US$20 million grant for the project.

Hydro Refurbishing Deal: With 30 percent of its hydro plants in operation for at least 30 years, Alstom has signed a refurbish contract in Brazil worth $77.7 million.

Two New Solar Projects in Peru: Spain's thin-film photovoltaic company T-Solar Group, building two photovoltaic power plants in Peru, signed three loan agreements for a total of $145 million. The two plants will be built in the Arequipa region in southern Peru and will have a total capacity of 44 megawatts.

Slicing a Solar Project: U.S.-based ONYX will break up its 22-MW solar photovoltaic project on the island of Roatan, Honduras, into several small PV plants. The company cites the older electricity distribution system on the island as a factor.

 

ASSESSING THE MARKETS

Chile’s Energy Future: The National Resources Defense Council examines the findings and the shortcomings of a highly anticipated report on Chile’s energy goal and development.

Brazil’s Ethanol Market: Falling sugarcane production, surging global demand for sugar and increasing domestic consumption of motor fuel are pushing Brazil to import ethanol, altering its traditional role as a dominant exporter.

Brazil’s Solar Outlook: Brazilian state-run energy research company EPE expects to deliver to the Ministry of Mines and Energy the viability study on introducing solar power to the country's energy generation park by the beginning of 2012.

 

2011 RECAP

From Ernst and Young

Brazil
Argentina

 

HAVE YOUR SAY

If you are an industry expert and would like to be a contributor for RenewableEnergyWorld.com, please contact us at editor@renewableenergyworld.com so we can show you how to get started.

 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Dec. 14-21,2011 Latin America Report: Environmental Concerns Surface
Dec. 7-14, 2011 Latin America Report: International Firms Chart Course Into Region
Nov. 30-Dec 7, 2011 Latin America Report: U.S. Bill Would Extend Tariff of Brazilian Ethanol
Nov. 23-30, 2011 Latin America Report: Ready for Explosive Growth