by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 18, 2024 | Storage, Video
It was a pleasure to interview Shamala Gadgill, Senior Programme Manager at Coventry City Council, ahead of their participation at Solar&Storage Live London, at the ExCel (April 29-30)!
Solar&StorageXtra is the new publishing part of the Solar and Storage Live event series where we will be interviewing our esteemed speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to get their live reactions to the event and the important discussions within the industry.
Shamala joined Solar&StorageXtra to discuss the deployment of charging infrastructure, the support that is given to local authorities to deploy this technology and the affect a skills shortage has on an industry.
Shamala explained that a mass deployment of charging infrastructure is needed to support the electrification of public transport. Lots of projects are happening in Coventry, including the integration of solar and battery storage. In collaboration with National Express, Coventry City Council have began to install solar pv on the rooftop of their bus depot alongside a battery storage system. In theory, the solar and storage system could provide enough electricity to power the 10 strong electric bus fleet.
Shamala highlighted that a lot of work is being done by the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) to support local authorities with their electric vehicle strategy but more needs to be done. Shamala explained to tackle these challenges to EV infrastructure deployment, like the skills shortage for example, significant collaboration is needed. Measures must be put into place to tackle these issues but attending events, like Solar&StorageLive, help provide a platform for these discussions and assist local authorities to understand what technology suits their town/city best.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 14, 2024 | Commercial & Industrial Solar
(Image credit: Amoria Bond)
Power consumption in the United States are set to reach record numbers in 2024 and 2025. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) have released their Short Term Energy Outlook on Tuesday (March 12). The EIA have projected energy demand to rise from 4000bn kWh in 2023 to 4099bn kWh in 2024 and 4128bn kWh in 2025.
The rise in energy use is because of homes and businesses transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity when powering heating and transportation. The EIA have forecast the power sales of electricity to rise for residential, commercial and industrial customers:
- Residential: 1509bn kWh in 2022 to 1511bn kWh in 2024.
- Commercial: 1391bn kWh in 2022 to 1396bn kWh in 2024.
- Industrial: 1064bn kWh in 2000 to 1042bn kWh in 2024.
Natural gas’ share of the United States’ power generation is expected to hold at 42% in 2024 then expected to decrease slowly to 41% in 2025.
The EIA continue to explain that coal’s share of power is set to decline from 17% in 2023, to 15% in 2024, and 14% in 2025. The decline in coal powered generation is in coordination with the rise of renewable energy generation.
The percentage of renewable generation will rise from 21% to 24% in 2024 and expected to reach 25% in 2025. Nuclear power is expected to hold at 19% power share of renewables total power generation across the 3 years.
As the US’s transition to more renewable forms of generation for heating and transportation, energy use will continue to rise. The positive is, this energy is being generated from renewable sources and not damaging the environment.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 13, 2024 | Large Scale Utility Solar
(Image credit: Power Technology)
The continent of Africa has one of the greatest potentials for solar generation across the world.
Of the 54 countries in Africa, Egypt has the highest solar energy potential. The government in Egypt has set a renewable energy target of increasing the number of renewables in its electricity mix to 42% by 2035.
To reach this target, solar farms have been built in the country. Of the farms that have been built, carbon emissions have been reduced by two million tonnes a year and provides clean electricity to more than one million homes.
The most significant solar farm in Egypt is the Benhan solar farm in Aswan.
Launched in 2018, the Benhan mega-project quickly became one of the largest solar parks in the world.
Overall development of the project was led by the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority and was supported by a $55mn investment by the African Development Bank.
The investment included the deployment of 34 solar plants each with a 50MW capacity. At full capacity the Benhan solar farm is set to produce 3.8TwH of clean electricity annually. The project has created 6000 permanent positions and 20,000 jobs during its construction phase.
Overall, the Egyptian New and Renewable Energy Authority has allowed 39 companies, that specialise in renewable energy production, to operate in their solar facilities for 25years. The Benhan solar farm is not the only significant solar project to take shape in the region. Discussions have begun with the local authority in Aswan to turn the Benhan Industrial High School into a ‘solar energy school’ that will provide training and various aspects of solar energy and electrical engineering.
The Benhan solar farm has set a precedent for clean energy production in Africa, leading the way to reach sustainable goals in line with UN Strategy.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 13, 2024 | Large Scale Utility Solar
(Image credit: Climate Home News)
Electricity generation from solar pv is making a significant impact in India’s electricity mix.
Distributed and decentralised solar technologies have benefitted large amounts of the population regarding their domestic energy needs, subsequently increasing living standards through a continuous supply of clean energy.
Solar is the most secure of all the renewable energy sources because of incredible amounts of availability, especially in India. If harnessed correctly, the potential for mass adoption of solar pv in the country is incredible.
According to the Indian government, a potential generation capacity of 5000trillion TwH per year could be generated if India’s available landmass is covered by solar pv. The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in India has highlighted the potential of 746GW of solar to be generated if 3% of waste land was covered by solar pv.
Solar is a key part of India’s government strategy to meet the country’s electricity needs and increase its energy security.
In January 2010, India launched its National Action Plan on Climate Change with its ‘National Solar Mission’ as a key strategy. The action plans key targets include:
- Establishing India as a global leader in solar energy.
- To have 50% of India’s total electricity generation be from green technologies.
- Decrease its carbon intensity by 45% (from 2005 levels) by 2030.
By the end of 2022, India stood at the 5th largest solar power producer in the world with its total installed capacity reaching 70.10GW by June 2023.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 12, 2024 | Innovation
(Image credit: Repono)
The European Union investment body EIT InnoEnergy have announced the launch of its new energy storage investment platform, Repono, on March 6. Repono is a platform for owning and operating energy storage assets across Europe and is targeting a 10% market share of an expected 1TwH market by 2030.
Prior to its full launch, Repono acquired the second-life battery storage firm BatteryLoop in November 2023. The company’s acquisition means Repono already has a fully operational energy storage systems in the Nordic region with 25employees. Repono’s launch did not specify which energy storage technologies would be prioritised but because of the projects scale, second-life energy storage technology would not.
Rapid deployment of intermittent renewable energy technologies has put Europe under stress because of higher energy prices and lack of energy security. Repono is designed to directly address these challenges. The company strategically manages storage to buy, charge, sell and discharge electricity at the right time, providing a 24hour decarbonised electricity supply.
Repono has access to EIT InnoEnergy’s 46+ energy storage investments and 800+ members in their ‘European Battery Theatre’. A significant target of the EU’s is to reach 42% of renewable energy by 2030, Repono will help deliver this.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 12, 2024 | Innovation
(Image credit: SunWays)
Switzerland based start-up SunWays has developed a Solar PV system that can be placed between railway tracks.
The project began in May 2023 and has placed connected a mechanically detachable Solar PV plant on a section of a railway line operated by Transport Publics Neuchatetais SA. The technology was developed in cooperation with the Swiss Innovation Agency ‘innosuisse’ and ‘Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lousanne’.
The PV systems themselves are developed in a factory then loaded onto a train. The train itself will then roll out the modules onto the train tracks ‘like a carpet.’ The modules are also designed to be removed at any time to ensure ease of track maintenance. If successful, the project could spread over 7000km and generate 1TwH of solar power.
SunWays are being very ambitious in their growth of the technology. The company want to expand the solar technology across the global rail network to maximise solar generation. Globally the railway network spans 1.16mn km and 260,000km across Europe. SunWays have already contacted investors in Europe and the United States about offering its solution globally.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 7, 2024 | Large Scale Utility Solar
(Photo credit: Los Angeles Times)
Significant cost decrease of solar has rapidly increased the distribution of solar panels in the United States (US).
A variety of financing options, including leasing and Power Purchase Agreements, have allowed solar to be more accessible and more affordable to distribute.
Solar’s popularity does vary state-by-state based off overall price, number of installers, incentives available and appropriate tax credits.
California is currently leading the solar race in the US generating more solar power than any other state.
It offers a high number of state and local incentives to help reach its ambitious project targets. The state began promoting the use and deployment in solar in 1976 and now produces 30% of the US’ total solar generation at 7880KwH. The Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) revealed that California is set to add an additional 22,630MW in the next five years.
Texas is the second most successful state regarding solar generation, registering 3086KwH.
A lot of solar generation in the state comes from solar farms but utility-provided incentives have led to an increase in residential solar incentives. As the population in Texas increases, as will the state’s energy demand. A shift to residential solar in the state will increase the energy security of Texas’ electricity users.
In third place of the US solar race is Florida with 1856KwH of generation.
Similar to Texas, the majority of Florida’s solar generation is from large scale solar farms but the state is seeing a rise in residential solar. Those living in the state pay some of the most expensive energy bills in the country. The growth of solar will help lower these. The SEIA reported that Florida is set to add an additional 12,816MW of solar in the next 5 years.
Solar in the US is a continuous rise with California, Texas and Florida taking podium positions in the countries solar race.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 7, 2024 | Innovation
(Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Africa has an incredible potential for solar generation. Mass infrastructure challenges leave many countries across the continent without regular energy supply because of frequent blackouts. It is not for the lack of resources either, the International Energy Agency explained that Africa has 60% of the world’s solar resources but only 1% of the world’s solar generation capacity. Irregular and expensive electricity has led to poorer members of the African population finding it difficult to access electricity. Start-ups across Africa have begun to capitalise of the potential of solar in the region, offering advanced energy solutions to those facing regular blackouts and poor electricity supply.
Start-ups leading the shift to solar energy across Africa include:
SunCulture
The Nairobi based company have currently raised over $40mn to provide farmers with irrigation systems to decrease their reliability on fossil fuel energy systems and the effect of intermittent weather has on their production. SunCulture’s technologies are cheaper, cleaner and require less maintenance. Subsequently, improving the day-to-day activity of their customers. According to research conducted by the company, 89% of farmers experience an increase in their quality of life, 90% increased their total production and 87% increased their earnings.
Mikayla Czajkowski, Chief of Staff at SunCulture told the United Nations:
“Solar is particularly attractive because of its positive environmental impact, job creation potential, and economic development potential… African nations have immense potential to benefit from utilizing solar energy – especially in remote and under-served regions where energy access is limited – and facilitates a reduction in the continent’s carbon footprint, making a valuable contribution to global efforts to combat climate change.”
GridXAfrica
GridXAfrica are another start-up that are assisting Africa’s shift to a more reliable and renewable energy generation. The company offer off-grid solar panels to farms and construction companies in Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania to the pay-as-you-go solar company Bboxx and the Egyptian solar developer and electricity distributor KarmSolar. Collaboration, across the board, is incredibly important to assist a reliable and more efficient electricity infrastructure.
Odyssey Energy Solutions Africa
Odyssey Energy Solutions Africa provide technology and finance solutions for distributed renewable energy, offering tools for solar developers to pitch potential projects to finance firms and secure funding.
Innovative companies like SunCulture, GridXAfrica, Odyssey Energy Solutions Africa all require significant to be successful. Only then will a more reliable and renewable energy grid will be developed. Government and non-government schemes have helped with this. The most significant being the US-Africa Clean Energy Finance initiative (US-AFCEF) that has already supported 32 projects in offsetting the cost of early stage development in the hope of increasing investment.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 7, 2024 | Video
It was a pleasure to interview Ross Grier, Chief Operating Officer at NextEnergy Capital, ahead of their participation at Solar&StorageLive London, April 29-30.
Solar&StorageXtra is the new publishing part of the Solar&Storage Live event series where we will be interviewing our esteemed speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to get their live reactions to the event and the important discussions within the industry.
Ross joined Solar&StorageXtra to discuss NextEnergy Capital, the creation of the UK’s Solar Taskforce, and the importance of collaboration between industry and government.
Ross explained that solar has developed a lot over his ten years in the industry.
The technology has gone from having incredible scepticism around it to being a key factor of the UK’s renewable energy mix.
What consumers cannot forget, however, is that a solar project is not fully complete once built. A solar asset requires constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure its generational efficiency and profitability.
At Solar&Storage Live London, the UK’s Solar Taskforce will take centre stage on our keynote theatre.
The UK’s Solar Taskforce is a genuinely joint government-industry initiative to help set the scene for how the government and future governments will deliver solar.
Ross explained he was initially sceptical round the creation of The Solar Taskforce, but the group is now influencing significant change.
“I was very sceptical… I was concerned it would be a talking shop and would avoid difficult issues and not deliver meaningful output. I have been really impressed by the civil service, ministers, and the industry in having those deep, rich conversations. It’s (The Solar Taskforce) a real springboard for incremental growth of the future of solar.”
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 6, 2024 | Market Reports
(Image credit: Arab News)
The solar industry in Saudi Arabia is on a consistent rise. The solar market has now reached pre-pandemic levels after covid affected the market. Saudi Arabia is now expected to reach 1028MW of capacity by the end of the 2024, registering a compound annual growth rate of 51% in the forecast period. A combination of supportive government policies, decreased fossil fuel dependency, and a conscious effort to distribute solar are expected to drive the market’s growth. The countries’ National Renewable Energy Programme has set a 40GW solar energy installed capacity target by 2030. At its current rate, Saudi Arabia are set to achieve this target.
What are Saudi Arabia’s solar market trends?
Solar PVs are expected to dominate the solar market in Saudi Arabia. The technologies constant decline in cost and versatility makes it the perfect choice for Saudi Arabia’s sun-rich environment. In 2021, the government in Saudi Arabia launched a green initiative to reinforce the countries commitment to have 50% of its total energy generation be from renewable energy. The nation’s ‘Vision 2030’ strategy has set the target of increasing the solar capacity to 40GW and installing 2.7GW of concentrated solar power by 2030. Saudi Arabia’s ‘Renewable Energy Project Development Office’, within the Ministry of Energy, is responsible for delivering the countries National Renewable Energy Program in line with ‘Vision 2030’. In 2012, Saudi Arabia’s total solar installed capacity stood at 14MW and by 2021 this reached 439MW. Solar PVs currently equal 88% of total solar energy capacity in Saudi Arabia.
What solar policies are in place in Saudi Arabia?
In order to reach the nation’s ‘Vision 2030’ strategy the government have directed the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to provide financial support for the renewable strategy. The PIF is currently mandated to invest $40bn annually to reach the ‘Vision 2030’ targets. These include:
- The 40GW and 2.7GW of installed solar capacity mentioned.
- Reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
- Establish net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- What projects have been launched in Saudi Arabia?
In September 2022, the Saudi Arabia Procurement Corporation launched 5 projects to generate electricity as a part of the National Renewable Energy Programme. 3 are wind projects, the other 2 are solar. Both solar projects are located in Al Hinakiyahand Tabarjalwould with one solar project having a 11MW capacity, the other has a 400MW capacity. In March 2022, Saudi Arabia awarded 1GW of total capacity to solar power projects. Saudi Power Procurement Company signed a 25year PPA for a 700MW plant with Al Ross Solar Energy Company. The company signed an agreement for 300MW solar plant, the contract was awarded to Jinko Solar and set to be built in Riyadh and will cost $213m. ACWA Power have signed an agreement with Badeel, the water and electricity company in Saudi Arabia, to build the world’s largest single-site solar plant in Al Shuaibah, Mecca Province. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2025 with a generating capacity of 2060MW. The project is both developed and operated as a 50/50 joint venture between ACWA and Badeel. Each project is backed by the Saudi Arabia Sovereign Wealth fund and the PIF who hold a 100% stake in ACWA and Badeel.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Industry Overview
Saudi Arabia’s solar industry has a moderately fragmented market that is highly competitive with no dominant players. Significant companies operating in the region are:
- Alfanar Group
- Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company
- EDF Renewables
- Saudi Electricity company
- ACWA Power company
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 5, 2024 | Large Scale Utility Solar
(Image Credit: Power Technology)
Solar PV is on an incredible rise in the UAE.
In Abu Dhabi projects continue to be developed in the region.
The Al Dhafra solar project is the most significant solar site in Abu Dhabi. It is a 2GW capacity independent producer project (iPP) located 35km south of Abu Dhabi City.
The project is currently developed under a public-private partnership scheme with 60% of the project owned by government owned electricity companies Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdor.
The remaining 40% of the project is owned by EDF Renewables and Jinko Power.
A 30year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was signed by all 4 project stakeholders with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to sell the electricity generated.
Overall, the project could take Abu Dhabi’s solar capacity to 3.2GW.
In its construction phase, the project created 4000 jobs for the local community.
Once fully operational, the Al Dhafra solar project is set to provide electricity to 160,000 homes across the UAE and cut carbon emissions by more than 2.4million tonnes a year.
Jinko Solar provide the Crystalline Bifacial PV models to ensure a better yield, achieving 22.49% efficiency.
The Al Dhafra solar project is a part of the UAE’s Energy Strategy 2050, where the region is targeting to increase its total share of the energy mix to 50%, from 25%, by 2050.
Two other solar plants in Abu Dhabi include:
The 100MW Shams 1 solar plant. This was the first solar plant of its kind when it was launched in 2013 and currently powers 20,000 households in the UAE.
The 1.17GW Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant is one of the world’s largest plants currently operational. With 3.2million solar panels working on the site, it has the operational capabilities to power 90,000 homes.
by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 5, 2024 | Video
It was a pleasure to interview Daisy Cross, Head of Retail Energy Markets at Energy UK, ahead of their participation at Solar&StorageLive London, April 29-30.
Solar&StorageXtra is the new publishing part of the Solar and Storage Live event series where we will be interviewing our esteemed speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to get their live reactions to the event and the important discussions within the industry.
Daisy joined Solar&StorageXtra to discuss the importance of Energy UK, the UK’s retail energy market, and the challenges to mass electrification and changing the populations electricity habits to decrease energy prices.
As the main trade body for the energy sector, Energy UK represents a wide range of energy sector companies from those who modernise and decarbonise the energy system to companies that develop products and services for customers.
Daisy explained that achieving a sustainable, stable, and affordable energy sector which meets Net Zero is Energy UK’s objective.
The retail energy market involves energy companies selling electricity directly to energy users, including homes and businesses. Daisy explained the energy market of the future involves a transparency of data and the use of time-of-use tariffs.
The retail market of the future will mean spreading usage more evenly over the course of the day, driven by allowing users to respond to real time information and incentives to help balance the energy system. When consumers change their energy behaviours, fewer spikes in usage will occur. This will then reduce the need for back-up generation to stabilise the grid.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Mar 1, 2024 | Large Scale Utility Solar
(Image credit: Sungrow Floating)
In January, the government in Malaysia announced it would be opening up bids for the nation’s fifth large-scale solar PV project.
A quota of up to 2GW will be made available to developers, where a maximum bid will be 500MW.
The Ministry of Energy and public utilities told SolarEdgeMalaysia about the building process:
“The Execution of LSS programme will be conducted via bidding and with a bigger scale, to ensure a developer selection process that is transparent and fair, as well as to obtain power generation tariff offers at the most competitive rates.”
This new programme will introduce a new category for floating solar, where a 500MW quota will be available to developers.
An additional renewable energy programme in Malaysia includes the ‘Low Carbon Energy Generation Programme’.
With a 400MW total quota, the programme opens up opportunities for low carbon electricity generation from small-hydro, bio-gas, bio-mass, and hydrogen technologies.
Diversifying renewable energy generation can open up new economic opportunities for developers and deal with intermittencies of generation with certain technologies.
Another 400MW quota will be made available to developers through the Net Energy Mechanism (NEM).
The programme is comprised of 10MW bids for household developers and 300MW for commercial and industrial industries.
Both programmes increase the clean energy supply in Malaysia.
The boom of Malaysia’s renewable energy industry has not only supported the move to Net Zero but has also created 36,000 jobs through the government endorsed ‘Integrated Renewable Energy’ programme.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 29, 2024 | Innovation
Spanish utility company Iberdrola and solar developer IB Vogt have signed an agreement to build a 245MW Solar park in Sicily, Italy.
The Fenix solar plant is expected to begin construction in March and is, according to Iberdrola, to be Italy’s largest solar park once fully operational.
Once built, the project has the potential to generate enough clean electricity for 140,000 homes.
Italy only has 60 solar farms that have more than a 10MW capacity, with the average project equalling 26MW.
The Fenix solar site is a significant indicator of Italy’s commitment to net zero targets. Once operational the site will consist of 424,638 solar panels and will generate 400GwH of electricity per year, preventing 119,000 tonnes of CO2 being omitted.
There are even plans in place to have an additional 60MW of capacity added to the project, bringing the total capacity to 305MW.
The project is not only set to help Italy secure its energy security through home-grown solar but will also improve the countries employment rate.
by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 29, 2024 | Innovation
(Image Credit: NowPower)
Spanish renewable energy developer Greenalia has secured a three-year credit deal worth $200mn to support the development of solar, energy storage and wind projects in the United States.
The credit deal will support the development of a 1.9GW portfolio of solar PV, energy storage and wind projects for the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) transmission network.
The deal begins Greenalia’s first financing facility in the United States and highlights the developer’s commitment to expanding into the US market.
On February 13, Greenalia’s ERCOT project reportedly broke the record for solar generation registering a peak of 16.7GW of electricity from solar PV.
As it stands, the company’s current project portfolio is concentrated in Texas. The most significant project is the 695MW MISAE II solar project that is under construction.
The Chief Financial Officer of Greenalia, Antonio Fernandez-Montells, highlighted the ERCOT project as a significant factor in Greenalia’s commitment to the US’ renewable energy market.
The company is currently delivering an additional 3GW portfolio through solar, wind and battery storage technologies.
On the whole, solar PV is changing the landscape of Texas’ electricity mix for the better.
by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 29, 2024 | Video
It was a pleasure to interview Tina Barnard, Chief Executive at Watford Community Housing, ahead of her participation at Solar&StorageLive London, April 29-30.
Solar&StorageXtra is the new publishing part of the Solar and Storage Live event series where we will be interviewing our esteemed speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to get their live reactions to the event and the important discussions within the industry.
Tina joined Solar&StorageXtra to discuss the importance of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and the potential impacts of the Government’s Net Zero cutbacks.
Tina explained the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is a fund for housing providers to assist properties to reach Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards and ultimately help them reach Net Zero targets.
The key challenge is raising funds. The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund isn’t a full grant, housing providers must match the funds being given.
Once a certainty on funding is confirmed, more properties will be able to reach EPCC standards.
Tina explained Government’s Net Zero cutbacks could be very detrimental to the community housing sector.
“If we haven’t got that leadership, be it Tory or Labour, in terms of reaching Net Zero… housing providers won’t be able to do anything, neither will consumers.”
Tina highlighted that behavioural change from consumers is less likely to occur if there is no incentive from government, whoever is in charge.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 23, 2024 | Large Scale Utility Solar
(Image Credit: SolarPowerWorldOnline)
A lot of households in the USA are yet to feel the positive effects of solar generation.
This is because a lot of tenants do not own their property, they rent or live in multi-tenant buildings that don’t have efficient roofs for solar.
Community solar provides homeowners, renters and businesses equal access and opportunity to the environmental and economic benefits of solar. This includes low-to-moderate income households.
The passing of the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States has helped increased the appeal to invest in community solar.
Overall, Community Solar refers to solar facilities that are shared by multiple community members who can receive credit for their electricity bills for the share of power that is produced.
This model is currently being deployed across the United States so consumers can experience the full benefits of solar.
Community solar facilities operate usually at less than 5MW electrical capacity.
Community Solar in the United States
In the United States, 41 states have at least 1 fully operational community solar project. A total capacity of 5.8GW was installed in the first half of 2023.
19 states have recognised the benefits shared renewable energy generation can have on their communities and are actively encouraging its growth through appropriate policies.
Over the next five years, the community solar market in the United States is set to register more than 6GW of total capacity.
The key principles of Community Solar are that all consumers should directly benefit from the programme and a full disclosure of the economic benefits are presented to users.
A successful deployment of community solar projects will lead to everyone benefitting from renewable energy generation and speed up the transition to Net Zero.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 22, 2024 | Innovation
Written by Grace Dawes, published on Movemnt.
Aptera Motors has secured $33 million in funding for the initial phases of production for the world’s first ever solar-powered electric vehicle.
The company’s debut vehicle product has a 400-mile range in a single charge and uses solar energy from the sun via its 700 watts of solar cells to cover an additional 40 miles per day purely from solar energy.
Len Nowak, one of Aptera’s Accelerator program participants said:
“The concept of owning one of the first solar-powered vehicles immediately drew me in. The Accelerator program was unexpected, and I wanted to dig deeper to provide a better chance to realize this unique vehicle and launch this groundbreaking company.”
The company has a patented design for two-axis automotive-grade solar panels, an efficient powertrain, and one of the most energy-dense battery packs, setting new standards for eco-friendly mobility.
Via equity crowdfunding, Aptera has successfully secured over $100 million during the past two years.
Co-founder and Co-CEO of Aptera, Chris Anthony, said:
“With over 46,000 reservation holders, we are dedicated to securing the remaining funds required for scalable, high-volume production of our solar EV.”
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by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 22, 2024 | Innovation
(Image credit: GreenerIdeal)
It goes without saying, the European solar market is experiencing an industry boom.
Solar panels imported from and created in China have provided cheaper prices of solar PV and subsequently fuelled Solar’s installation boom across Europe.
The current solar boom is allowing the European Union (EU) to deliver on its green promises.
Overall, more solar panels have been integrated into Europe’s power grids between 2000 and 2020 than before the beginning of 2000. By 2030, the number of installed solar PVs should triple.
Overall, Chinese solar imports have given the EU hope after the current energy crisis…
But, is this hope merely a mirage?
Has the renewable energy transition shifted from one supposed to make Europe more energy independent to one more dependent on Chinese imports?
Currently, 95% of all solar modules installed in Europe are imported from China.
Due to the countries near monopoly on the industry, China can set unbeatable solar PV prices.
The issues that arise from apparent Chinese control of the solar industry include:
- Employment and economic security.
- European PV companies calling for restrictions on imports.
- As mentioned earlier, a shift in energy dependency, rather than a move to independence.
Firstly, the fear around increased Chinese imports crushing Europe’s renewable economy and employment is a false one.
As the solar industry continues to boom, jobs will need to be created to help manage rising demand. Economic security and environmental targets also remain in place.
What Europe is facing now is a repeat of what happened in 2010; where European countries restricted the arrival of Chinese solar modules after struggling European solar PV producers campaigned for restrictions on imports.
Six years later restrictions were lifted, and installations of solar PV saw a steep rise. The cost of Chinese solar PV is ultimately too much of an economic opportunity to turn down.
This issue around energy dependency, rather than independency, is a big one. The topic raises the question, ‘Could China stop its imports of solar PV similar to what Russia did with its supply of gas?’
The answer…
It is unlikely. The economic and environmental arguments would not make sense.
At the moment, the current number of modules stored across Europe could supply a year’s worth of solar installations.
By the time these are used, Europe would have turned to home grown solar PV.
Ultimately, China would feel the negative effects of climate change and experience a big dip in their economy.
The European solar boom is fuelled by Chinese imports but both markets work together to drive both markets and reach environmental targets.
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by Regan Slaymaker | Feb 21, 2024 | Video
It was a pleasure to interview Adam Firth, the Managing Director of HDM Solar, ahead of their participation at Solar and Storage Live London (April 29-30 2024)!
Solar&StorageXtra is the new publishing part of the Solar and Storage Live event series where we will be interviewing our esteemed speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to get their live reactions to the event and the important discussions within the industry.
Adam joined Solar&StorageXtra to discuss what solar technologies are leading the way, the importance of collaboration in the renewable energy space, and HDM Solar’s new multi-million-pound investment fund from Angel Investment and DF Capital.
HDM Solar securing this multi-million-pound investment fund will allow the company to expand organically across the UK and Europe. Adam explained HDM have a goal to develop 60 new branches across the UK and Europe.
With more offices, HDM can better serve a wider customer base with even quicker delivery and personal, local service. HDM will create new jobs and hire and develop the best talent to drive the company forward.
HDM Solar’s focus on collaboration has been vital to their success. Adam explained HDM Solar currently work with 30 other wholesalers to buy and sell with each other. Only with industry collaboration will the solar industry place Solar PV on every roof top.
“Our philosophy at HDM Solar is that we love working with others. This has been missing for a few years, there are a lot of independent and nationals (companies) that work in isolation. Partnership is the way forward!”
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