Sri Lanka Electricity Commission Tender Northern Central 10MW solar project

January 10: The Ceylon Power Commission (CEB) announced the bidding for the 10MW solar PV project in Polonnaruwa, North Central Province of Sri Lanka.

The international bidding will determine the successful bidder through competitive bidding. The bidding project will be operated on the basis of construction, holding and operation.

The developer will build the system on more than 20 hectares of land.

Minas Gerais, Brazil focuses on special financing for micro and small power projects.

January 9: The Government of the State of Minas Gerais in Brazil announced in an official communique that it may offer special financing options for miniature and small solar photovoltaic systems.

ABsolar, the Brazilian solar energy association, said the move allowed the development of new financing options and created a more favorable environment for small, medium and small-sized companies and partner companies to invest in photovoltaic systems.

Brazil recently broke the historical record of 1GW installed capacity of solar energy.

By the end of 2016, Brazil's installed capacity was only 87.7MW, which jumped to 1.1GW by the end of 2017.

Energy 4 Impact provides one million U.S. dollars for small-scale solar irrigation in Rwanda

January 9: OFID Approves a $ 1 Million Grant for Energy 4 Impact to Develop a Small Solar Irrigation Market in Rwanda.

The initial target of the project was about 3,000 smallholder farmers organized in the form of farmer groups and cooperatives. The project seeks support from Rwandan farmers for using small-scale solar-powered irrigation projects and collaborates with local banks to implement farmer financing programs. The ultimate goal is to support 13,000 farmers in five years.

Ben Good, CEO of Energy 4 Impact, said: "Insufficient coverage of small-scale solar irrigation projects is both a challenge and an opportunity because of the lack of awareness among farmers, the inability to afford high upfront costs, the infrequent sales and distribution channels of suppliers and the insufficient supply of agricultural resources, Market development is hindered.

The project will be implemented in eight districts in eastern and southern Rwanda, including Bugesera, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Ngoma and Gatsibo in the east, Gisagara, Kamonyi and Muhanga in the south.