by Catie Owen | Aug 13, 2024 | Everything Installer, Innovation
A research team has published in Earth’s Future journal that covering highways internationally with solar roofs could generate 17,578 TWh per annum – exceeding 60% of global electricity consumption in 2023.
Roofing Highways With Solar Panels Substantially Reduces Carbon Emissions and Traffic Losses explores how installing solar panels above highways and major roads could act as a novel approach to harnessing renewable energy.
The researchers looked at 3.2m km of international highways, compiling an evaluation of the costs and benefits associated with creating a solar panel network using polycrystalline panels with a 250W capacity.
The findings reveal that installing solar roofs on highways could generate more than four times the annual energy output of the United States, offset 28.78% of current CO2 emissions, and even reduce traffic deaths worldwide by 10.8%.
The results surprised lead author Ling Yao, a remote sensing scientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who continued:
“I didn’t realise that highways alone could support the deployment of such large photovoltaic installations, generating more than half of the world’s electricity demand, and greatly easing the pressure to reduce global carbon emissions.”
Eastern China, Western Europe, and the US East Coast were named as prime locations for deployment, despite the challenges related to setup and maintenance costs. However, Yao stressed the importance of pilot programs to demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of this concept on a large scale.
by Catie Owen | Aug 2, 2024 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Everything Installer
Brazil has achieved a milestone in the solar energy sector, surpassing 45 GW of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity.
This includes both large and small-scale plants, with solar power now accounting for 19% of the country’s total energy mix, according to data from the local solar association Absolar.
The market has seen 30.7 GW installed across distributed generation (DG) systems, making solar the leading choice for self-consumption systems in Brazil. Currently, solar technology is utilised in 99.9% of all on-site DG arrays in the country. Large-scale solar power plants contribute the remaining 14.8 GW.
The expansion of solar energy in Brazil has attracted investments totalling BRL 211.7bn (USD $37.3bn), creating approximately 1.4 million local jobs, as noted by Absolar.
by Catie Owen | Jul 25, 2024 | Everything Installer, Storage
Kraken, Octopus Energy’s energy technology platform, has partnered with battery technology company SolarEdge.
Kraken will incorporate SolarEdge’s batteries into its technology platform through the strategic partnership. In doing so, SolarEdge customers will be able to use Kraken’s system to charge their domestic BESS cheaply during off-peak times and sell it back to the grid during peak hours.
International SolarEdge customers can join Kraken’s virtual power plant (VPP) network for domestic devices, which helps with grid balancing.
Meanwhile, Octopus Energy customers who use SolarEdge BESS will have access to “Intelligent Octopus” – a smart import and export tariff.
Zvi Lando, CEO of SolarEdge Technologies, says: “This strategic partnership puts SolarEdge customers at the centre of the energy ecosystem and helps drive greater energy resiliency to homes and the grid in the UK and Texas.
“As the world continues to transition towards net-zero, these programs will be critical to ensuring a stable penetration of renewable energy into the grid network.”
Devrim Celal, CEO of Kraken, adds: “This partnership with SolarEdge sees a key player in clean domestic energy tech join our ecosystem. The scale this brings will benefit our customers’ pockets and support the transition to a clean, sustainable energy system.”
This development is one in a pipeline of solar and BESS partnerships Octopus Energy has been investing in. June saw the provider sign a two-year deal with Gresham House Energy Storage Fund to increase the company’s portfolio to more than 1.5GW.
Octopus additionally launched a “UK first” solar and heat pump referral scheme, which gives £100 credit to customers who install a pump or solar panel system from Octopus.
[Image credit: SolarEdge]
by Catie Owen | Jul 24, 2024 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Everything Installer
JA Solar, a China-based global solar developer, has announced a strategic partnership with Solarpro, an international EPC contractor and technology solutions provider.
Through the agreement, JA Solar will provide a 240MW solar power plant in Bulgaria’s Yambol district with solar modules. These modules will be from JA Solar’s TOPCon DeepBlue 4.0 Pro series.
Solarpro will be managing the lifecycle of the project, set to be one of the largest solar plants in the region, including monitoring post-implementation.
Installation of JA Solar’s modules is set to begin in Q3 2024 and is forecast to become operational by Q2 2025’s end.
The project itself will be financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and will be part of Bulgaria’s mission to increase its energy capacity and contribute to the EU’s sustainable energy goals.
On the announcement Aiqing Yang, Executive President of JA Solar, says: “This cooperation represents a major step forward in our mission to promote renewable energy development in Bulgaria.
“Building on this partnership, we look forward to further promoting sustainable energy development in Europe with our partners through our dedicated services and advanced products.”
Similarly, Krasen Mateev, CEO of Solarpro, adds: “This strategic cooperation exemplifies Solarpro’s commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable energy solutions that drive the transition to a greener future in Bulgaria and beyond.”
[Image: JA Solar and Solarpro representatives celebrate the partnership. Image credit: JA Solar and Solarpro]
by Catie Owen | Jul 18, 2024 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Everything Installer
In response to surging concerns about agrivoltaics in the UK, trade association Solar Energy UK has released new guidance for solar farms and their communities.
The Community Engagement Good Practice Guidance contains case studies that aim to inform and engage the communities surrounding solar farms, to promote effective neighbourly relationships between them.
The document includes information about the purpose and lifecycle of a solar array for people living near proposed ground-mounted farms and support for everyone on the solar supply chain.
Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, says: “The solar industry wants more than to deliver high-quality solar farms alone.
“We want to be good neighbours: taking local people along the journey to net zero with us, allaying misconceptions and taking their feedback into account.”
Combatting concerns
Food security, land use, and aesthetics are frequently reported concerns for both legislators and communities near proposed solar farms.
In the lead-up to and post the UK’s general election, wherein a new government with clear solar pledges took over, the British solar industry has become a hot topic for many.
More information about the new government’s solar ambitions came forth in yesterday’s King’s Speech at the opening of Parliament, with the announcement of nationalised energy entity Great British Energy.
It is Solar Energy UK’s goal to alleviate misunderstandings and improve relationships between local communities and solar farms through its guidance. This will have a knock-on effect on developers also, as generating goodwill with local communities will reduce delays and costs when proposing and building farms.
Community engagement
Solar farms offer a wealth of benefits on both a local and national level that go beyond just environmental factors. Solar Energy UK’s guidance also touches on the social and economic benefits – such as lowering the cost of energy.
Through its case studies, the guidance shows farms provide local benefits such as:
- Educational opportunities for schools
- Providing jobs for the local workforce
- Reliable additional incomes for farmers and other rural businesses without disrupting existing infrastructure (such as animal grazing)
- Encouraging biodiversity
- Protecting valuable footpaths and bridleways
The guidance reinforces the benefits of engaging with local businesses and trade, which improves a farm’s relationship with the community. This is a “simple but effective way to demonstrate commitment to community relationships and contribute to the local economy.”
To engage with local communities in an accessible and inclusive way, Solar Energy UK’s document suggests tools such as:
- Project websites
- Phone lines
- Dedicated staff members
- Engagement with local councils
- Newsletters
- Community forums
- Customer relationship management systems
- Tours of operating solar farms
To stay engaged with all things UK solar and beyond, talk directly to industry experts at Solar & Storage Live in Birmingham, 24-26 September 2024.
by Catie Owen | Jul 17, 2024 | Everything Installer
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a USA-focused solar industry trade group, has released new standards for sales practices.
The new standards are the first of 11 expected from the association, in a bid to curtail unethical sales practices. State attorneys across the USA have raised concerns that companies are being disingenuous with customers about their rooftop solar installations and renewable systems.
SEIA CEO Abigail Ross Hopper comments: “These groundbreaking standards reflect the solar and storage industry’s commitment to ensuring every customer has a great experience going solar.”
The 11 new standards will make up SEIA’s latest certification program, which solar companies and independents can join.
“Going solar with a SEIA-certified installer will give customers the confidence they need to make the best decision for their family,” Hopper adds.
by Catie Owen | Jul 15, 2024 | Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar
The UK’s new Labour government has announced a “rooftop revolution”, pledging to increase the number of homes with solar panels.
The new plans will also increase the number of solar farms in the UK.
The new initiative has kicked off with the approval of three large solar farms in the east of England: in Lincolnshire, the Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border, and Mallard Pass. These three sites will provide around 2/3 of the solar energy the UK installed in 2024.
Investment in renewable energy features prominently in the new government’s policies, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband promising to triple the amount of solar power in the UK by 2030.
Ahead of the July 4th election, Labour pledged to introduce a publicly owned energy company, GB Energy, which will streamline the process for homeowners to buy new properties – with panels either installed or to be installed. Additionally, 2025 is set to see new standards brought in regarding solar on new-build properties.
Miliband comments: “We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way we can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses in the UK so people can provide their own electricity, cut their bills and at the same time help fight climate change.”
Backlash
The ongoing conversation surrounding the UK’s food security has contributed to a backlash against the new solar farms.
As part of the initiative, energy firm Sunnica will build a 2,792-acre solar farm and energy storage in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, providing enough power for 100,000 homes.
This will become the UK’s largest solar farm, with officials objecting to the use of green land for the project. Objectors explain that they are concerned that using farmland for solar projects will decrease domestic agricultural production and increase reliance on food imports.
Previously addressing concerns surrounding agrivoltaic farms and food security in May, Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of Solar Energy UK, said in a statement:
“They [solar farms] pose no threat to food security; in fact, they support it. According to Defra, climate change is the main threat to food security, and solar farms help combat this.
“Without solar farms, many traditional farming businesses would struggle to survive, as they rely on the steady income solar farms provide.”
by Catie Owen | Jul 15, 2024 | Everything Installer
The Spanish government has approved new regulations permitting floating solar panels to cover 5% – 15% of the surface area for reservoirs within the public water domain.
According to the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the allowable size of these solar arrays will depend on the reservoir’s “trophic” state; reservoirs with poorer water quality will be allowed greater coverage, according to the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition.
Specifically, eutrophic reservoirs, which have high biological productivity or are at risk of eutrophication (plant and algae growth from a nutrient-rich environment), can have up to 15% of their surface area covered by solar panels.
This limit is a reduction from the 20% proposed in the draft royal decree two years ago. Non-eutrophic reservoirs, however, are restricted to a maximum coverage of 5%.
These coverage limits can be further reduced based on factors such as the reservoir’s operating regime or existing uses and rights.
Floating solar panels are prohibited on lakes, lagoons, or other natural water bodies, and on surfaces that are highly modified or artificial but have some form of environmental protection.
Public reservoirs, managed by basin agencies, may see competitive tenders for granting permits to install floating solar plants, or licenses may be processed at the request of project developers.
Concessions for using public reservoirs for floating solar installations can be granted for up to 25 years.
For the latest in Spain’s solar scene, don’t miss registration for Solar & Storage Live Barcelona.
by Catie Owen | Jul 11, 2024 | Everything Installer, Innovation
Installation of a floating solar pilot project in the Dutch North Sea has been completed successfully by energy company RWE and floating solar developer SolarDuck.
Named “Merganser”, fitting with SolarDuck’s waterfowl theme, the 0.5MW project is comprised of six interconnected platforms built to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Sea.
SolarDuck CEO Koen Burgers says: “The combination of RWE’s leading global market position in offshore wind and SolarDuck’s technological ingenuity sets the perfect base for accelerating the deployment of OFPV (Offshore Floating Photovoltaic).
“The successful installation of Merganser is proof of the dedication of SolarDuck’s team to electrify the world with offshore floating solar.”
The continuous technical performance of the pilot project will be monitored by the two companies, ensuring structural integrity and durability. The site will also gather data on structural loads and electrical performance, utilising more than 180 built-in sensors.
Bureau Veritas has awarded Merganser’s design with the world’s first OFPV certification. The performance of Merganser’s will be monitored over the next two years, to check the offshore project’s design’s viability for commercialisation.
Additionally, developers are keeping in mind the possibility for the pilot project to integrate with offshore wind farms to optimise ocean space.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, adds: Standalone or also in combination with offshore wind farms, offshore floating solar could open up further offshore renewable energy opportunities – especially for countries with lower average wind speeds but lots of sunlight.
“With Merganser, we are gaining unique insights and first-hand experience in one of the most challenging offshore environments in the world.”
by Catie Owen | Jul 2, 2024 | Commercial & Industrial Solar, Everything Installer
According to a research body owned by the Chinese government, China will achieve its 2023 renewable targets six years ahead of previous predictions.
The findings were released in a report from the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute (CREEI), which is owned by China’s National Energy Administration (NEA). The research says that, by 2024’s end, China is set to add 190GW of solar capacity and 70GW of wind.
The NEA released data demonstrating that the country added 217GW of solar power and 76GW of wind power by the end of 2023 – a total capacity of 1,050GW.
The additional capacity predicted by the NEA would, by 2024’s end, raise China’s installed solar and wind capacity to 1,310GW. This is both 1,200GW more than, and six years before, the country’s previous renewable energy goal.
Slowing demand
In 2023, China contributed almost 60% of additional global energy capacity (an added 301GW), making it both the largest greenhouse gas emitter and green energy producer.
According to more figures by the NEA, by the end of May 2024, China had installed 690GW of solar capacity and 460GW of wind, which made up 38% of its power generation capacity.
Despite the seemingly positive shift, concerns have been raised about overcapacity in light of overproduction and a slowing market. This mismatch has resulted in the sharp downturn of solar panel prices and thus company profits, prompting Chinese solar developers to call for international collaboration to prevent further decline.
[Image: a solar farm in Dunhuang, Western China]
by Catie Owen | Jun 25, 2024 | Everything Installer
From 19th to 21st June 2024, Intersolar Europe took place at Messe München. As of its opening day, the show saw 110,000 visitors rush through its doors to meet with 3,008 exhibitors from 55 countries.
Alongside spawling exhibitor space of over 19 halls, the show also featured a comprehensive conference programme. The Intersolar Europe Conference 2024 took place on 18th – 19th June, while both the Intersolar Forum and PV Manufacturing Stage held announcements and educational talks.
Topics discussed included the rise of agricultural PV, the future of European PV production, market developments, the latest trends, and useful business models, floating PV, sustainability and financing.
Outside the stages, exhibitors had products to demonstrate both tried-and-true and new, with many making announcements throughout the show – highlights of which Xtra has curated.
Show highlights
Soaring prices
At the Intersolar Europe Conference, ahead of the show’s opening, CEO of German supplier Memodo Daniel Schmitt warned that “crazy” pricing within the PV industry will likely continue.
According to Schmitt, the European sector had “the biggest subsidy ever in the PV industry” due to the spike in energy prices following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Now, warehouses full of unsold merchandise (due to a manufactured rush to meet vastly overestimated demand) are contributing to a steep decline in price that the industry needs to be aware of.
Legislation
As the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) comes into effect later in 2024, concerns were raised about maintaining effective legislation without unnecessary bureaucracy. Intersolar Europe hosted a panel discussing the NZIA, Implementing the Net Zero Industry Act, views from Member States and the European Commission, which discussed the EU’s drive to encourage solar manufacturing within Europe.
Panellist Dr Beate Baron, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BWMK) deputy director general, said: “If we determine criteria, it’s quite clear that we will develop them further … and make it a long-term process.
“[The goal is] to make it a roadmap and to make it clear to other markets watching us that this is a long-term perspective we’re following.”
Training
EIT InnoEnergy, a Dutch investment platform, announced the launch of its European Solar Academy. Its purpose is to train 65,000 individuals to join the European PV industry.
The initiative is one of several “Net-Zero Academies” started by the European Commission, designed to tackle the Solar talent gap and grow the sector through upskilling and education.
Awards
SMA Solar’s Sunny Central Flex platform solution won a ‘The smarter E Europe Award’ in the PV category, alongside steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal’s Helioroof modules and wafer producer NexWafe’s EpiNex inline wafers.
It was a home win for German renewables developer MaxSolar at Messe München, as the company’s Bavarian 125MWp solar park stood out in the Outstanding Products category.
LONGi’s Sustainability Report
At the show, solar technology company LONGi launched its 2023 Sustainability Summary Report. Additionally, the company announced their first Human Rights Policy. The Policy is guided by the three values LONGi follows: “Reliability, Value-add, and Fulfilment”.
“Our ethos is to ensure that our corporate growth is synergistic with the broader goals of societal advancement, embodying a commitment to progress that is both environmentally conscious and socially beneficial.” Zhang Haimeng, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer for LONGi explained.
JinkoSolar and SolarToday
JinkoSolar announced that its subsidiary, Jinko Solar Denmark, has collaborated with wholesaler SolarToday to supply them with high-voltage residential storage solutions.
These will be used in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Frank Niendorf, VP of Europe for JinkoSolar, said: “With this collaboration with SolarToday for the DACH and Benelux regions, we will further realise our growth ambitions for both the PV and ESS markets.’’
Flexible panels
The show’s beginning saw DuPont and Desun Energy launch flexible solar panels, which use DuPont’s Tedlar film. The product is designed to protect against abrasion, improve outdoor stability, and improve light transmittance.
“The addition of Tedlar® frontsheet protection makes our flexible solar panels ideal for various consumer application scenarios, including balcony solar systems, solar-powered recreational vehicles, solar power banks and outdoor power supplies of electric tools,” said Yao Feilong, General Manager of Desun Energy.
“Zero-degradation” BESS
Chinese lithium-ion equipment manufacturer CATL explained more about its new BESS product Tener at ees Europe (held alongside Intersolar), sharing details through a presentation and media workshop.
The BESS was first announced in April, where CATL stated that: the product can achieve an energy density of 6.25MWh of storage capacity per 20ft, and the battery cells would have “zero-degradation” for its first five years.
But at the show’s media briefing, CATL representatives explained that the degradation had been circumvented by combining pre-lithiation and reduced consumption of the battery cycles’ lithium-ions – confirming hypotheses by the industry following the announcement.
Certifications
REPT Battero, a Chinese battery manufacturer, revealed new products at Intersolar Europe: its 320Ah, 345Ah, and 587Ah Wending Cells. According to the manufacturer, the technology uses a hexagonal structure to increase space utilisation by more than 7% while improving the battery’s safety and efficiency.
On Intersolar’s first exhibition day Mario Comboni, Regional Manager of Power Electronics for West Europe at TÜV Rheinland Group, presented REPT Battero with a TÜV Rheinland product certification. The manufacturer hopes this achievement will reinforce trust in the product’s reliability and quality.
Happy accidents
Tekna Solar laid roots in the exhibitor space to showcase their tandem module PrismaX, which has a tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) layer alongside an organic PV layer. These layers are laminated onto a glass-front sheet, creating a 29% efficiency rate and a max residential power output of 1,000W.
Tekna’s invention was unexpected, as the design was conceived by accidentally double-laminating a module. On testing, they found that the new module’s power output was improved. Thus, a new product was born.
Batteries
At the show, PV inverters and energy storage systems provider Sungrow revealed its new EMS3000 system and iSolarBPS battery pre-diagnostic system.
The products aim to improve the safety and efficiency of projects by adapting to power plant scenarios, providing real-time health diagnostics for battery cells, providing repair suggestions, and more.
If you enjoyed Intersolar Europe you’re guaranteed to love Solar & Storage Live Zürich, taking place 17-18 September 2024 at Messe Zürich.
[Image credit: Intersolar Europe]
by Catie Owen | Jun 17, 2024 | Everything Installer
Nepoworx, a South Africa-based renewable energy skills development agency, has partnered with Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator to launch the Youth Work Readiness Programme.
The programme will benefit 100 young South Africans between 18-35 out of education, training, and employment. Twenty individuals who own electrical or renewable energy-focused growing small businesses will be encouraged to take on the available labour.
In the joint press release, Nepoworx and Harambee said that, through the programme, they hope to drive innovation in the solar energy sector while empowering young people.
After the programme, the upskilled “job-ready” youths will be able to find jobs within the solar sector more easily through the practical skills and experience they will have gained.
The 120 participants will achieve a PV Green Card following completion of the programme, demonstrating their qualifications as solar installers. Such an initiative should increase the acquisition and retention of young talent in the industry.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower young South Africans,” says Nepoworx South Africa CEO and co-founder Nonjabulo Sokhela.
“By providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities, we are not only addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment but also contributing to the sustainable development of our energy sector.”
Business owners
The joint release explains that the programme’s appeal for the 20 business owners will be the range of engaged and talented youths looking to learn and make an impact in their roles. Following this, the partnership hopes that the programme reduces youth unemployment while bolstering the growth of South Africa’s workforce.
Harambee chief impact officer Sharmi Surianarain concludes: “We are excited about the collaboration between Nepoworx and Harambee as it extends our mission to unlock entry-level jobs in relatively new and growing sectors.
“This mixed model is particularly significant as it supports work seekers and small business owners, positioning both the formal and informal sectors as viable options for the youth.”
by Catie Owen | Jun 14, 2024 | Everything Installer
Press release
Dean Solon, Founder, CEO and President of Create Energy, has partnered with Hamlet Tunyan, CEO of RECOM Technologies, to launch ReCreate.
This new venture will establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to producing up to 5GW of modules and cells for the North American and EU markets. The manufacturing facility is located at Create’s mega-plant in Portland, Tennessee.
It signifies a step forward in the production of American-made solar modules and cells, addressing both current and future solar demands across the US and EU markets.
“We’re excited to ignite the rocket engines on this new venture and deliver high-quality, American-made solar solutions,” stated Solon.
“At Create Energy, our mission is to ReCreate the renewables market and offer comprehensive solutions for solar, BESS, and eMobility projects. ReCreate will set the standard for the solar module and cell markets.”
Dean Solon, founder of Shoals, brings to the partnership over 30 years of experience driving engineering, innovation, and manufacturing growth in the US and global markets. His expertise and strategic vision will be crucial in propelling ReCreate in the solar module and cell manufacturing business.
Hamlet Tunyan added: “This project represents a significant advancement in our commitment to renewable energy and innovation. By manufacturing in the USA, we are supporting the local economy and setting new industry standards.
Partnering with Dean Solon, whose expertise and vision are unparalleled, enhances our capacity to deliver exceptional solar solutions and drive meaningful change in the energy sector.”
Hamlet Tunyan is a CEO in the European renewables sector, boasting decades of expertise in clean-tech manufacturing, project investments and development. He has a product portfolio covering all existing cell and module technologies, a successful track record of global solar projects.
ReCreate is leveraging the combined expertise and vision of its founders to deliver cutting-edge solar solutions that meet the growing demand for clean, sustainable energy across the globe. With a focus on high-quality, American-engineered products, ReCreate is positioned to become a pivotal player in advancing the renewable energy industry for decades to come.
[Image: Photograph of Dean Solon and Hamlet Tunyan at Create Energy HQ’s Rocket Room, in Portland, Tennessee]
by Catie Owen | Jun 13, 2024 | Everything Installer
Masdar and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (Socar) have begun construction on three large solar and wind projects in Azerbaijan, totalling a combined capacity of 1GW.
The groundbreaking was held during the opening of Baku Energy Week, attended by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Sultan Al Jaber who also serves as the chairman of Masdar.
These projects include the 445MW Bilasuvar Solar PV Project, the 315MW Neftchala Solar PV Project, and the 240MW Absheron-Garadagh Onshore Wind Project.
This development follows Masdar’s completion of the 230GW Garadagh solar plant in October 2023, notable as Azerbaijan’s first foreign-invested independent solar power project and the largest of its kind in the region.
Building on the Garadagh solar plant and additional large-scale projects underway, Masdar aims to advance Azerbaijan’s clean energy ambitions in anticipation of COP29 and beyond.
Masdar aims to achieve a renewable energy portfolio capacity of 100GW by 2030, aligning with The UAE Consensus to triple global renewable capacity by the decade’s end.
Unexpected impact
This news comes at the same time as the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s Oil 2024 report, which explains that investing in additional capacity will cause an overabundance of oil by the end of the decade.
Fatih Biron, Executive Director of the IEA, says: “Today, the Middle East and some North African countries use significant amounts of oil to generate electricity – about 1.5 million barrels per day. That is driven mainly by Saudi Arabia. Iraq, Kuwait and others.
“We know that there are strong plans in place to replace the oil used for electricity generation by renewables or natural gas.”
by Catie Owen | Jun 10, 2024 | Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar
The USA has reintroduced tariffs on low-cost solar imports from Asia following the end of a two-year moratorium on Thursday.
The reimplementation of these tariffs, which primarily affect Chinese-affiliated solar products exported from Southeast Asia, is seen as a crucial step in supporting US manufacturers, according to an analyst from Business Insider.
Mike Carr, Executive Director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers of America, stated that the end of the moratorium should help stabilise prices, benefiting developers, producers, and the entire market. He emphasised that this stability is essential for the industry.
In 2023, the Department of Commerce discovered that Chinese solar products were entering the US without duties, despite existing tariffs on Chinese imports. Chinese producers circumvented these tariffs by routing their products through Southeast Asia, which traded freely with the US.
To address this loophole, the Department of Commerce extended tariffs to these Southeast Asian regions. However, their impact was delayed due to the moratorium, which has now expired.
The moratorium was initially put in place due to White House concerns that tariffs might impede the US energy transition, given the nascent stage of domestic solar production. However, this led to a surge in cheap imports, causing a significant drop in solar prices last year.
Carr explained that Southeast Asian producers continued manufacturing despite halting trade during the Department’s investigation. When the tariff pause took effect, these producers flooded the market with their products, leading to an unprecedented supply glut.
“The volume of imports far exceeded previous levels, overwhelming our markets and creating massive uncertainty around pricing,” Carr said. “This situation led to significant investment challenges as prices continued to fall.”
The oversupply caused global solar panel prices to plummet by half last year, with China driving the surplus. Solar shipments from Southeast Asian producers have remained high, accounting for 87.5% of US module imports in the first quarter, according to S&P Global.
Carr suggested that the tariffs could help reduce market volatility and encourage investment in the sector.
David Feldman of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory mentioned additional positive developments for the domestic industry, including upcoming guidance on tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act and trade adjustments to enhance US competitiveness.
Following the end of the moratorium, two major Chinese solar companies announced suspensions at their Southeast Asian facilities, as analysts predict a slowdown in import volumes, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, US producers are advocating for more protections, with a coalition of manufacturers urging the Commerce Department to impose additional tariffs.
Carr indicated that the tariffs might lead to a 25%-30% price correction for solar modules, benefiting US producers. However, he noted that pricing should not be the primary metric for measuring the industry’s performance, as other factors drive solar deployment.
by Catie Owen | Jun 7, 2024 | Everything Installer, Market Reports
The first quarter of 2024 saw a significant boost in solar panel manufacturing capacity in the US, according to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.
During this period, 11GW of new solar module manufacturing capacity was added, marking the largest growth in US solar manufacturing history. This addition brings the total annual manufacturing capacity to over 26GW.
In the same quarter, 11.8GW of new solar capacity was installed nationwide, pushing the national total to 200GW. The utility-scale solar market experienced substantial growth, particularly in Florida and Texas, with New Mexico and Ohio also showing notable increases.
However, the residential solar segment faced difficulties, especially in California, due to recent policy changes.
Despite these challenges, the report projects that US solar capacity will double over the next five years, reaching 438GW by 2029.
Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA president and CEO, comments: “This quarter proves that new federal investments in clean energy are revitalising American manufacturing and strengthening our nation’s energy economy.”
by Catie Owen | May 21, 2024 | Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar
It has been reported that, as stated in a recent address to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan’s government intends to change the financial model of metering for solar panels.
The described change is a transition from net to gross metering for rooftop solar panels, sparking concerns for the accessibility of solar energy in the country – a potential detriment to the uptake of solar.
On the gross metering system, consumers would need to sell electricity generated by their panels to the grid at a Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for 11 rupees. They would then ‘buy back’ their electricity consumed at retail prices of up to 62 rupees.
On the net system the electricity generated and consumed is measured, encouraging consumers to rely less on grid electricity. As grid electricity is expensive in Pakistan, this system made solar energy a financially viable option for consumers and therefore a sound budgetary decision for households.
It was also reported that the government would purchase electricity from the owners of rooftop panels at a price decided by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA).
The move has drawn widespread criticism from media outlets concerned that the government is halting its progress towards clean energy.
A misunderstanding
However, the Federal Minister for Energy, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, clarified that the reports were false – speaking at a press conference at the Lahore Electric Supply Company HQ.
Speaking to Geo Pakistan, Leghari clarified that the IMF had not requested a transition from net to gross metering, reinstating the government’s commitment to renewable energy:
“We will continue encouraging the net metering since it is the scheme close to the heart of PM Shahbaz Sharif.
“The number of total net metering connections has reached 113,000.”
Leghari added that a future policy change would be made after input from the shareholders and that solar panel owners currently on a net-metering system will “not be affected at all” at this moment in time.
by Catie Owen | May 9, 2024 | Everything Installer, Large Scale Utility Solar
On May 6th Solaria announced the purchase of 435MW of PV modules for €9.11 per watt from a Tier 1 manufacturer.
The modules’ price level is a 2.15% improvement over the last purchase in December 2023 and is a 71% reduction from 2022 prices. For Solaria, this highlights the improving competitiveness of PV technology.
The purchased modules will be installed in Solaria’s 700 MW Garoña project (Burgos) during 2024. During the Garoña photovoltaic project, the company will replace the obsolete 460MW Santa María de Garoña nuclear power plant with a green energy facility.
This new facility will not generate polluting emissions and will be cheaper and publicly available.
The four plants that make up the project are expected to generate a total income of €650m during the 30 years of a plant’s useful life. Additionally, 2,400 jobs are expected to be created during the park’s construction – prioritising local employment.
This photovoltaic solar park’s electric output is anticipated to be equivalent to the province of Burgos’ annual consumption. To that end, it will be capable of supplying 300,000 homes. Emissions exceeding 335,000 tons of CO2 per year will be prevented from entering the atmosphere.
Don’t miss Solar & Storage Live in Barcelona, Spain, held at the Fira De Montjuic from 13-14 November 2024. Attendees can register for a free ticket here.
[Image credit: Solaria Energia]
by Catie Owen | May 2, 2024 | Everything Installer
Demonstrating the UK’s increased interest in solar energy, March 2024 saw the nation’s total solar capacity increase by 5.6% since March 2023 (837MW).
63MW of capacity was added in March through 14,734 installations, the highest figure for 2024 so far, but this number was lower than in early 2023.
Overall, it is a large increase from 2016-2021 levels, wherein the figure for median monthly installations over time was about 3,000.
83% of March’s schemes were installed on residential buildings, taking credit for 75% (47MW) of the new capacity, however, December 2023 saw ground-mounted and standalone solar installations contribute 49% of capacity (7,708MW). These include two Contracts for Difference accredited operational solar farms.
The UK’s total solar capacity now stands at 15.8GW across 1,483,386 installations.
by Regan Slaymaker | Jan 18, 2024 | Everything Installer, Video
It was a pleasure to interview George Rawding, Communications Manager at GivEnergy, ahead of Solar and Storage Live London where GivEnergy are the title sponsor for the event!
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.
George joined Solar&StorageXtra to discuss GivEnergy’s participation at Solar and Storage Live, the potential barriers to installing battery storage systems and GivEnergy’s investment in the local community.
George explained that cost can be the main barrier to the installation of battery storage technology. The cost of living crisis has led to less consumers having the disposable income to install battery storage.
However, GivEnergy are able to keep costs of their products at a lower rate because they manufacture their own products.
Partnering with E.ON and Octopus EVs have allowed consumers a payback scheme to make the transition to a renewable energy system easier and more accessible.
GivEnergy also work with social housing projects so tenants can feel the benefits of renewable energy as standard with no additional cost to their rent.
For more interviews from Solar&StorageXtra and to keep up to date with all NEW content, subscribe to the Solar&StorageXtra YouTube channel and Newsletter!
Make sure to meet GivEnergy at Solar and Storage Live London, April 29-30 2024!
For more interviews from Solar&StorageXtra and to keep up to date with all NEW content, subscribe to the Solar&StorageXtra YouTube channel and Newsletter!
To enquire about interviews, submit news and press releases please contact our Editor, Regan Slaymaker, regan.slaymaker@terrapinn.com.
For sponsorship and exhibition enquires please contact Tom Moon, tom.moon@terrapinn.com.
