Feed-In Tariffs
Atlantic to Build 58.43MW Ecuador Solar Projects
28 January 2013POSTED IN Applications News
Atlantic Wind & Solar, with affiliate and co-developer Atlantic Energy Ecuador, today announced the receipt of notice from the National Electricity Council of Ecuador (CONELEC), confirming that two initial photovoltaic projects in the Province of Esmeraldas are to proceed under Ecuador’s feed-in tariff program.
17 UK Solar Companies Sue Government Over FiT Cuts
23 January 2013POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
Seventeen solar companies are planning to sue the British government for £140m in damages, because of the cuts to subsidies in 2011 that were subsequently ruled "legally flawed" in the high court.
Canadian Consortium to Build Ecuador 50MW Solar Plant
21 January 2013POSTED IN Business News
A Canadian consortium of renewable energy developers including Solexica Energy Corporation, JCM Capital and Radical Energy has signed a 20-year concession agreement with CONELEC, Ecuador’s National Electricity Board, for the purchase of electricity generated by the combined 62.5MWp PV (50 MWac) power plants located in Ecuador.
Kyocera Solar to Power ‘Social Contribution Power Plant’
18 January 2013POSTED IN Business News
Kyocera Solar Corporation is working with Ryukoku University, Inami Town, Plus Social, and the Trans Value Trust Company to install Japan’s first-ever social contribution mega-solar power generation plant, the groups have announced.
Conergy Enters Romanian PV Market
17 January 2013POSTED IN Business News
German-based PV system supplier Conergy is realising one of the largest solar parks in Romania together with its local partner Solanna Investment S.r.l.
Solar Energy in Canada
24 December 2012POSTED IN Politics and Policy Features
Much like in the United States, the Canadian approach to encouraging solar energy development has been fragmented between the provinces. Between 2007 and 2011, the Federal government committed $1.4 Billion to encourage renewable energy projects through the ecoAction program, but no new money has been committed for the renewables portion of the project.
UK Government Sets Solar PV Subsidies
19 December 2012POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
The UK government has set solar and biomass subsidy levels for the next five years, and says building-mounted solar PV projects will receive higher rates than ground-mounted projects over the 2013-2017 period.
Solar Canada 2012: Conergy "Distributor of the Year"
05 December 2012POSTED IN Business News
The Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA), a national trade association representing approximately 650 solar energy companies throughout Canada since 1992, hosted a new event at this year’s Solar Canada 2012 Conference – the 2012 Game Changer Awards Gala. At this inaugural awards ceremony, held Monday evening, Conergy Canada was named the 2012 “Distributor of the Year.”
Solar Canada 2012: 20 years of bright innovations
29 November 2012POSTED IN Business News
CanSIA will be showcase the solar industries’ latest technology at Solar Canada 2012, which will run 3-4 December, at the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre.
Madico Protekt Backsheets Secure JET Certification
26 November 2012POSTED IN Business News
Madico, a PV solar module backsheet manufacturer, today announced its Protekt backsheet has been granted certification from Japan’s Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET).
Legal Challenges in the Solar Industry
19 November 2012POSTED IN Business Features
Legal issues affect practically all areas of the PV value chain, from world trade cases as they are currently conducted by European and Chinese manufacturers alike, to more practical but no less important issues such as local and domestic laws regarding the acquisition of land to build free field installations. However, until now the most important legal challenge for the PV industry around the globe remains the level of governmental subsidies given for PV installations; be it through a quota system or a FiT. Here, also the reliability of the government plays an important role, as the suspension of all supports for PV systems in Spain early this year has proved.
Isofoton to Develop 50MW PV Plant in Ecuador
16 November 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Isofoton, a leader in solar technology, and the National Electricity Council of Ecuador (CONELEC) have signed an agreement that enables the construction of a 50MW photovoltaic plant in Ecuador, the first and only one to date to obtain planning permission in the current system of premiums on the feed-in tariff in the country.
Solar Canada 2012: Bringing the solar industry to Toronto in December
13 November 2012POSTED IN Business News
CanSIA expects some 4500 attendees at the most important solar industry event in the country. Solar Canada 2012, which returns 3 to 4 December at the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre to celebrate the future of solar and CanSIA’s 20th year promoting and supporting one of Canada’s hottest industries.
Europe Led 2011 PV Market, GBI Research Says
08 November 2012POSTED IN Business News
Europe led the global solar PV market in 2011, accounting for a share of 76.2%, according to a report by GBI Research.
Germany’s stable growth has seen it become the most developed solar PV market in the world, accounting for almost 40% of the total global solar PV market in 2011.
Polish Government Bears Hope for PV Boom in 2013
29 October 2012POSTED IN Politics and Policy News
PV in Poland currently plays a marginal role in the country’s energy mix. As of spring 2012, just over 1MW of PV capacity was installed in the country. This could become much more from next year on, as the Polish government has plans to enact a renewable energy law in 2013.
Upsolar Completes Solrif System in Sicily
25 October 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Upsolar today announced it has completed a 1MW PV system integrating Schweizer Solrif frames in Sicily.
Completed in partnership with local engineering, procurement and construction firm Ferplant, a subsidiary of mondoPower, the project will generate electricity for agricultural facilities in Portopalo di Capopassero, Sicily.
Bentek Solar Ships FDSS for 130MW Ontario Project
24 October 2012POSTED IN Applications News
Bentek Solar today announced it has designed and shipped Phase 1, which includes 70MW of 1000VDC Fused Disconnect Safety Systems (FDSS) with visible blade disconnects into Ontario, Canada that complies with the Canadian Feed-In-Tariff program.
Phase 2, which consists of 60MW of the FDSS, is scheduled to ship in early 2013.
IMS Research: Challenges ahead for inverter suppliers in 2013
23 October 2012POSTED IN Business News
IMS Research forecasts 2013 to be another challenging year for photovoltaic inverter manufacturers, with flat revenue growth globally and a major shift away from traditional markets leading to a reshaping of the supplier base.
JCM Sells 850kW Solar Projects to BrightRoof Solar
22 October 2012POSTED IN Business News
JCM Capital today announced that it has sold an 850kW portfolio of rooftop solar PV projects in Ontario to BrightRoof Solar.
Barriers to India’s REC Market
21 October 2012POSTED IN Business Features
The market for renewable energy certificates (RECs) in India has been well established for the non-solar market. In “RECs Drive the Renewable Energy Sector in India,” Contributing Editor, Varun Mittal, gave an overview of what RECs are, how they work in India, how India’s REC mechanism compares to others around the world and he provided a status update on the current trading market. It is clear that many barriers have to be overcome for the market to flourish and in this second article in a two-part series, we look at what those barriers are and what has to change in order to move the use of renewable energy forward in India.
