Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

Solar metallization pastes supplier Heraeus Photovoltaics is building a new facility in Minhang, Shanghai, to meet the growing demand in the photovoltaic industry. The Shanghai innovation center’s entire fleet of research and development (R&D) facilities will be moved into the new building. Once the new production site is operational, the company’s annual silver paste manufacturing capacity will be up to 3,000 tons per year.

Solar energy developer Dhamma Energy, a 100% subsidiary of Eni, inaugurated the 87.5 MW Athies-Samoussy solar farm in France. The five projects at the Athies-Samoussy complex are now fully operational. The solar project will produce 93 GWh per year, which could cater to the domestic consumption of 40,000 households. The project will help to boost the renewable power generation capacity of Eni per its growth strategy and contribute towards its total decarbonization target of products and processes by 2050. In 2020 the project secured € 2.6 million through local crowdfunding and public investment.  The solar park covers 100 hectares of the former Laon-Athies NATO Air Base, which was abandoned and has now been converted into a sustainability-focused site.

Leeward Renewable Energy (Leeward) and Valley Clean Energy (VCE) have signed a 15-year solar-plus-storage PPA for Leeward’s 72 MW solar and 36 MWh battery storage facility in California. The Willow Springs 3 project will supply electricity to 27% of VCE’s 125,000 customers in Yolo County, California, by the end of 2023. The agreement will also support VCE in having a 100% carbon-neutral portfolio by 2030. As part of the agreement, Leeward will contribute to VCE’s local workforce development and sustainability efforts in Yolo and Kern counties to support local hiring and training. Construction will begin in December 2021, and the power supply to Valley Clean Energy is expected by December 2023.