Markets & Policy

When Obama spoke of a 2035 clean energy goal during his State of the Union address, a big question on everyone’s mind was how he could achieve that. The answer, in part, is a new initiative called SunShot, which his energy chief says will help drive down PV system installation costs to $1 per watt.

Under a new agreement, EuPD Research will provide the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) with strategic advice for furthering the UK solar industry. It will also update the BPVA on global PV market developments.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ISLR), an independent think tank promoting local economic development, says Ontario is getting more jobs for its renewable energy investments than comparable Midwestern states.

The UK will review its solar feed-in tariffs (FITs) early. The news comes after the REA told pv magazine last Thursday that the government had been unaware of how many solar projects were projected to be installed this year.

The American Council On Renewable Energy’s (ACORE) founding president, Michael Eckhart will step down at the end of February. He will go on to join Citigroup as MD and head of environmental markets and sustainability.

pv magazine has learned the UK Government is likely to announce a feed-in tariff (FIT) review this April, with a view to implementing any changes in 2012. Up to 500 megawatts (MW) of new photovoltaic (PV) projects are also expected to be installed this year, while brownfields have been identified as the next big trend.

Following a query from Germany’s green politician Hans-Josef Fell, it has become clear the Federal Government is not following an industrial policy strategy for the strengthening of the photovoltaics (PV) industry.

A new study has found that global investments in photovoltaic (PV) technology could double from €35 billion to €40 billion today, to over €70 billion in 2015.

The Louisiana Public Utility Commission (PUC) has ordered utilities in the U.S. state to implement an undifferentiated feed-in tariff (FIT) for a limited contract term of five years. This will make it nearly impossible to finance projects.

Jamie Hahn, managing director of Solis Partners talks to pv magazine about SRECs – their success in the New Jersey marketplace and the areas, such as their monetization, which still need development. He also presents his ideas on a nationwide renewable energy incentive scheme.