Policy

Offsetting the impact of changes in central or state government duties post bidding, India’s Power Ministry has directed the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to pass on the excess costs to consumers in the form of electricity tariffs in a time-bound manner.

The largest political hurdle has been cleared for the world’s fifth-largest economy to eliminate carbon emissions in the electricity sector. The state has also set a 60% by 2030 renewable energy mandate.

Newly released EIA data shows overall module shipments falling by two thirds in the second quarter of 2018, while pre-tariff prices remained relatively steady.

The Japanese government said the recent publication of a quality-evaluation guide for solar projects will ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s PV sector, partly by improving maintenance standards, while serving as a potential boon for investment in the relatively dormant secondary market for operational installations.

The departure of the popular Nicolas Hulot will be a blow to President Macron, but shares in the state nuclear agency rose immediately after the energy minister dramatically announced his resignation during a radio show.

Massachusetts has joined California, Hawaii, Nevada and Vermont in the club of 10% solar states. PV made up 2.4% of total generation in the United States during the first half of the year, with solar and wind together making up slightly less than 10%.

Although lobbyists will be dismayed a 1 GW annual cap on PV will remain, the indications are it will disappear after 2030 – if not before – and renewables appear to have become a more attractive proposition than nuclear, as coal is phased out.

China has officially filed two complaints with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the United States, in response to its 30% Section 201 and 25% Section 301 tariffs.

Rumor has it industry lobbying has persuaded the government to agree to 300-500 MW of distributed PV in each of the populous nation’s 34 local government areas, with a reduction in “non-technical costs” making up for a lack of guaranteed payment.