There runs a persistent and slightly pernicious line of thought that would place 2016 as one of the worst years in human history. Sure, the near-incessant stream of depressing news stories appeared to arrive at a fair clip last year, but taking a broader view, 2016 was a continuation of certain positive trends that we […]
Interview: In December Energy Democracy, a book telling the story of Germany’s Energiewende from the perspective of citizen ownership of renewable energy, hit the shelves. The book is the latest collaboration of Political Scientist Arne Jungjohann and Writer and Translator Craig Morris, who worked together on the German Energy Transition website (energytransition.de). pv magazine caught up with Jungjohann to talk about the book, and why citizen involvement in energy is important.
Southeast Asia development: The IEA’s 2011 World Energy Outlook estimated that nearly half of all unelectrified rural areas would be most economically served by mini-grid solutions. Given that much of Southeast Asia is made up of archipelagos, electrification through mini-grids looks set to play an especially prominent role in this region.
Italian solar: After a significant slowdown of the solar sector in the past four years, PV module prices have recently fallen dramatically. Italy is in line with the rest of Europe where, according to the most recent IEA statistics report, the industry decline has begun to slow, in spite of rapid cost decreases all across the value chain.
Emerging markets: Energy investors are always on the lookout for new emerging markets that meet or exceed the industry’s expectations. With the new year just begun, pv magazine examines some of the potential solar stars of 2017, and the conditions most likely to deliver strong growth.
Solar in Jordan: Jordan’s pv market has grown at a stunning rate to become a leading force for solar PV development in the Middle East region. pv magazine examines what the country’s solar PV sector can expect in the new year and beyond.
Zayed Future Energy Prize: Since it was first awarded in 2008, the Zayed Future Energy Prize has quickly grown to become a leading prize for companies in the cleantech world. This year’s prize, to be awarded in January 2017, consists of a total fund of $4 million. Managed by Abu Dhabi renewables specialist Masdar, the fund will be distributed across several different categories.
Utility-scale update: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) always seems to linger longingly in solar industry conversations, as the region of the world with the most untapped pv potential. Analaysts have long predicted that once solar finally drops here, it’s going to drop big. 2016 was a big year for solar in the MENA region, probably the best yet, leading to increased hope that it could stand up as the torchbearer amongst oil-rich regions for the deployment of solar energy.
Though the US period romantically termed the Wild Wild West took place over a few years in the mid-1870s, lore and its unique mix of wildness, ambition and determination offer a good analogy for the US solar industry. Look at it this way, in the 1870s pioneers, cowboys, politicians and others set forth across the continent to establish better lives. They came in search of gold and land. They came prepared and unprepared. Primarily they came with hope.
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