The weekend read: Five key questions facing rooftop solar in 2018
Distributed solar can arrive in many forms, from the typical small array installed on a family home, to vast, multi-megawatt installations atop large warehouses and factories. Each market sector faces its own challenges and opportunities, and pv magazine has identified five key questions that could well shape these various rooftop sectors throughout 2018 and beyond.
Belgium: Flemish solar market grew by 188 MW in 2017
Almost all of last year’s newly installed PV capacity comes in the form of residential PV systems not exceeding 10 kW, installed under net metering.
Brazil surpasses 175 MW of solar under net metering
Overall, 23,627 solar PV power systems were installed in the country under the country’s distributed generation scheme.
Portugal announces distributed solar generation FIT of €95/MWh for 2018
The 15 year feed-in tariff (FIT) for solar power units with a capacity of up to 250 kW for this year will be maintaned at the same level of that of the past three years.
Belgium’s Flanders region plans to launch virtual net metering
The new scheme, named Zonnendelen, will enable electricity consumers with no available surface to install a PV system to buy a share in a net metered installation owned by a third party, and to use its stake in the project to reduce their energy bills.
Japan: Disappointing first auction; plans for 200 GW solar by 2050
Japan’s first solar PV auction has reaped disappointing results, with just 41 MW set to be developed. Under the revised FIT, meanwhile, 27.7 GW were cancelled. Despite this, JPEA is aiming for 200 GW of solar PV installs by 2050. Overall, cumulative installed capacity has reached over 40 GW. There are still many plans afoot for large-scale projects, although it is the rooftop sector, which holds the most promise.
China’s cumulative PV capacity hits 130 GW, to reach 250 GW by 2020
According to China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), the country installed a total of 52.83 GW of solar PV in 2017, with cumulative capacity now sitting at 130.25 GW. Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory Co. Ltd (AECEA) forecasts this to reach 250 GW by 2020.
The weekend read: Myanmar’s solar lifeline
Myanmar market overview: There is vast solar potential in the country, primarily in off-grid, which is the number one driver of electrification, and proving a lifeline for many. C&I presents an interesting business case, but as with utility-scale projects there is still a lot to be done.
Nissan launches home energy solution in the UK
The Japanese car manufacturing giant has announced the imminent launch of an all-in-one home energy solution, including solar panels, a battery and an energy management system.
Turkey to introduce net metering scheme for residential PV
The new rules are expected to come into force in the first half of this year. PV systems ranging in size from 3 kW to 10 kW will be entitled to have access to the scheme.
