Magazine Archive 05-2014

Solar tariffs: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a new “Value of Solar” methodology as alternative to net metering. An analysis by Sara Bergan, energy law attorney at the business law firm Stoel Rives, and Jon Wellinghoff, partner in Stoel Rives and the former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the US.

Australia: Echoing the success of third-party ownership models in the U.S., there is evidence that new financing models in the Australian rooftop PV market will emerge. Even as state-based support schemes are wound back, the fundamentals for solar in Australia remain strong. Elena Baši? of DNV GL Renewables Advisory (formerly GL Garrad Hassan) discusses the potential for third-party models in Australia, examining possible structures and experiences to date.

Turkey: The Turkish solar market is gathering pace despite high levels of bureaucracy. This was the overall impression gleaned from the recent confabs at Solarex and ICCI in Istanbul, as well as last month’s Solarpraxis conference in Istanbul, PV Power Plants Turkey.

Dear readers, Without strong partnerships and pioneers the solar PV industry will struggle to move forward – a truism that has once again become apparent in the Philippines. As far back as 2008, a Renewable Energy Act with a feed-in tariff was adopted in the country, but nothing much regarding PV has happened since. But […]

Solar/storage combined systems: Lux Research analyst Matt Feinstein investigates the industry’s efforts to couple PV with energy storage and the business models for early deployment.

Show preview: Like all PV shows and exhibitions around the world last year, China’s SNEC attracted fewer visitors than previously. But the Expo’s monolithic appeal, anchored in China’s PV strength, ensures anticipation for the 8th annual SNEC PV Power Expo is perhaps higher than it has ever been. The question is: Will bated breath be sated?

Self-consumption in Italy: In December 2013, the Italian Authority for Electricity and Gas finally defined the modalities for “efficient consumer systems.” Gennaro Sposato of Rödl & Partner Rome explains the regulation and the remaining uncertainties in the implementation of the decree.

Australia: As one of the first countries to arrive and then accelerate past retail grid parity, Australia had the makings of a solar darling. However government measures are rapidly putting up obstacles to the rapid growth of solar in the country as vested interests and incumbent fossil fuel generators appear to be doing an effective job of striking back against PV.

PV quality: Chinese renewable energy manufacturers are well positioned to benefit from the growing demand in emerging economies. So, asks Dirk Kayser – Ph.D Candidate at the Chinese Academy of Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles – what should Western firms do: compete or cooperate?

Shipping damage: Intelligent packaging helps PV panel shippers reduce the solar glass breakage rate.