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

Total and 174 Power Global have signed an agreement to form a 50-50 joint venture to develop 12 utility-scale solar and energy storage projects with a total capacity of 1.6 GW in the United States. These projects will be transferred from 174 Power Global’s development pipeline. The first project started production in 2020, and the remainder will be put on stream between 2022 and 2024.

Surat Municipal Corporation has partnered with ABB India to roll out next-generation technology and support its vision of delivering continuous water supply across Surat. These investments follow the success of phase one digitalization upgrade of the entire water system, which took place in 2018. A digitally powered system boosted by safe and secure electrical distribution equipment enables the corporation to optimize water distribution across the city sustainably.

Excelsior Energy Capital, an independent renewable energy investor, announced the final close of its inaugural fund called Excelsior Renewable Energy Investment Fund, with a total capital commitment of $504 million, exceeding the fund’s $500 million target. The fund will continue to invest equity in the middle-market wind and solar power facilities across the United States and Canada. The fund attracted a diverse base of limited partner investors from the United States, Japan, the Middle-East, and Europe.

Blueleaf Energy has completed the 3 MW rooftop solar project’s construction and reached the energization of its first corporate power purchase agreement in Penang, Malaysia. The rooftop solar project provides renewable energy to the automotive electronic facility of Robert Bosch. The power generated by the 3 MW system is provided on a self-consumption basis with the opportunity for Bosch to sell excess generated energy back to the grid under Malaysia’s Net Energy Metering scheme.

Panasonic Corporation of North America announced that 13 installers across the country had been promoted to the elite and premium tiers of its Residential Solar Installer program. Installers and homeowners will gain access to the Panasonic solar modules portfolio and Panasonic solar EverVolt modules.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has provided a $100 million financing package to Jordan’s National Electric Power Company (NEPCO). The package will help the company address working capital constraints by replacing short-term debt financing borrowed at the first peak of the COVID-19 crisis in the spring with a longer-term facility. The proceeds will strengthen NEPCO’s financial position. With funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the bank will also support NEPCO in an apprenticeship program to promote career opportunities for women and young professionals.

Huawei FusionSolar, the smart photovoltaic (PV) solution from Huawei, has introduced its complete integrated system for residential solar energy solutions. The company launched a new range of products for a complete integrated system for Vietnamese households, including an energy storage system, smart energy controller, and smart PV optimizer. The new products focus on delivering a better experience, optimal electricity cost, and active safety.

The 7 MW Berbera Hybrid mini-grid solar energy project, funded by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, has been connected to the local electricity grid. The project, located at Berbera city in Somaliland, was set up at 29.3 million United Arab Emirates Dirham (~$7.97 million). The project is expected to generate enough power to meet the energy demand of around 50,000 people.

Here is our previous daily news wrap-up.