The weekend read: Six trends that will shape the inverter landscape in 2018
Inverter overview: As 2017 drew to a close following a record-breaking year for solar, pv magazine sat down to discuss the global inverter landscape with Cormac Gilligan, senior solar analyst at IHS Markit. With China dominant, India’s soaring solar market still very much up for grabs and technical innovation a perennial route to market leadership, these are the six trends that we believe will shape the solar inverter landscape this year.
UK government figures show 902 MW year-on-year solar growth
For the 11 months up to the end of November, the U.K. added 902 MW of solar PV capacity to reach a cumulative total of 12,642 MW, which is around 7% higher than last year.
Renewables rising in Canada, but solar still sidelined — report
Renewable energy developers connected roughly 1.29 GW of new capacity to the Canadian grid in 2016, but solar remains a negligible part of that growth, accounting for just 0.5% of total nationwide electricity generation last year, according to the National Energy Board (NEB).
Israel to reintroduce FITs for rooftop PV up to 50 kW
A new scheme aimed at supporting all rooftop PV segments is expected to be launched soon by the government. The new mechanism includes net metering, although with an additional grid fee covering storage costs, and FITs for small-scale solar. The government is also planning new auctions for rooftop solar geared towards new models of entrepreneurship.
China set to open 2km stretch of solar-powered highway
Chinese media reports on development of the Jinan City Expressway, where weight-bearing solar panels are being laid for the 2km that stretches into the city of Jinan, which is the provincial capital of Shandong.
Ghana to launch rooftop solar program in 2018
Through the scheme, the Ghanaian government hopes to deploy around 200 MW of rooftop PV capacity.
Hungarian government to encourage uptake of agricultural solar
Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, János Lázár, outlines plan to ease regulations regarding solar installations up to 500 kW installed on small one hectare sites, confirms government will offtake all solar energy produced.
IHS Markit: Global solar installations to pass 100 GW in 2018
Market analyst IHS Markit has issued its first forecast for 2018 installations. It expects the global market to surpass the 100 GW mark for the first time ever, hitting 108 GW.
US solar deployment hits lowest level in two years (w/ charts)
Slowing residential solar markets, higher prices for components and a push-back of project completions were the perfect storm in Q3, however the U.S. market managed to remain above 2 GW.
France raises annual capacity of solar tenders by 1 GW, confirms joint wind-solar auctions
The tenders’ capacity will be increased gradually starting from next March. The move is part of the French government’s strategy to accelerate the development of solar, and reach its 2023 targets.
