The US residential solar market fell 16% in 2017
GTM Research and SEIA’s final report on the U.S. solar market in 2017 shows both the struggle of the residential sector, as well as a larger than anticipated fall in utility-scale volumes, leading to a 30% contraction overall.
Denmark preps tender scheme for PV projects up to 1 MW
The Danish Energy Agency has now submitted the scheme for a public consultation. The tender’s budget for 2018 amounts to around 105 million DKK (US$17.4 million).
Ghana ups its solar ante with announcement of new programs
Ghana is planning to grow its solar industry, via utility-scale solar, off-grid projects and domestic manufacturing, the President said at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) founding ceremony.
Italy to launch series of mixed wind-solar auctions totaling 4.8 GW
New auctions for wind and solar projects exceeding 1 MW in size will be part of a new incentive scheme for renewable energy for the period 2018-2020, which is now under review by local authorities. In the first auction, planned for November, around 500 MW of wind and solar projects over 1 MW are expected to be assigned. The incentive scheme will also support solar and renewables up to 1 MW through specific tenders.
Australia’s rooftop installations above 2017’s record-breaking year
February rooftop solar installations exceeded 115 MW, well above the less-than 80 MW installed in the same month 2017 – itself a record-breaking solar year in Australia. Green Energy Markets’ latest STC figures reveal the “extraordinary” installation rates.
Sweden allocates $60 million in solar rebates for 2018
The Swedish Energy Agency will initially allocate 200 million SEK (around US$24 million). Two further tranches of 200 million SEK and 100 million SEK, respectively, will be assigned in April and in the fall. The funds will be used to finance small rooftop PV projects under the country’s solar rebate scheme.
Australia: record 1.07 GW small-scale solar installed in 2017
It’s official: 2017 was a record year for rooftop PV in Australia. The Clean Energy Regulator announced today that over 1070 MW of small-scale solar was installed by Australian homeowners and businesses in 2017 – representing 41% growth over 2016.
Colombia issues regulation for distributed solar generation
Colombia’s Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission approved the 2018 Resolution CREG 030 last Friday, which regulates how solar PV system owners can sell surplus power to the National Interconnected System under net metering.
Japan: Kumamoto Electric pushes PV-powered cryptocurrency unit as potential curtailment solution
Kumamoto Electric Power, a Japanese power producer and retailer, has launched a new cryptocurrency-mining subsidiary that will primarily draw electricity from solar PV arrays.
Luxembourg launches tender for solar over 500 kW
The government of Luxembourg has also adopted a new draft legislation aimed at regulating self-consumption and promoting the active role of prosumers.
