First 100 MW solar plant points to missed opportunity in Australia
In a ceremony attended by the heads of AGL Energy and First Solar, and ministers from the NSW government, but not the federal government, the 1,366,380th and final solar panel was installed on the 102 MW Nyngan solar farm in western NSW on Friday.
Australia: "[Utility scale] solar can genuinely compete without subsidies within three to four years."
The final module was put in place on Australia’s largest PV power plant today. The 102 MW Nyngan Solar Plant was supplied and installed by First Solar. However the outlook for utility scale solar in Australia continues to appear cloudy. First Solar Asia-Pacific regional manager Jack Curtis spoke to pv magazine about what he makes of the future of big PV Down Under.
Hawaiian utility bids to slash net metering payments
Move could almost double system payback times. Utility and opponents have until the end of June to reach agreement before the PUC steps in.
The pv magazine weekly news digest
A solar spending spree, president Obama takes a personal interest in Caribbean solar and good news from the Azores. Plus the ever-fearless pv mag pokes a stick at the Russian bear and Big Brother Google.
Iraq seeking solar, wind investors
The government is looking to build three large-scale solar plants and a wind power station in several provinces and is offering incentives to potential foreign investors to take on the projects.
Suntech to upgrade entire production to four busbar modules
Ranked as a top tier module by Germany’s VDE Institute, Suntech’s four busbar module generates more power and offers increased efficiency.
Smart grid implementation could generate $3.75 billion for Netherlands
As part of the PowerMatching City pilot project, a community of 40 households used solar panels, micro CHP plants and heat pumps to provide their own electricity and heat their own water. They also used smart software to share electricity with neighbors. The experiment was the first of its kind in the world.
Algonquin completes solar, wind projects in California, Canada
The North American utility is expanding its renewable energy portfolio in Canada and the United States.
SunEdison to supply Macalester College 100% PV
Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is going to purchase sufficient solar power from SunEdison to offset 100% of its electricity consumption. A 25-year PPA has been signed saving the college “million of dollars.” The solar arrays will begin commercial operation in 2016.
Apple, SunPower partner to provide solar power to China's Aba region
The companies will provide dual-use renewable energy projects that protect the land while providing up to 80 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually.
