Tidal flats in eastern China to host 300 MW of solar
Developers have already connected 3 MW of capacity in what is purportedly destined to be the world’s largest PV array on a coastal tidal flat. The project, which is particularly challenging due to tidal fluctuations, will feature PV components designed to cope with salt and water damage.
Module Price Index: 2020 – Taking the time to say ‘thanks’…
Alongside all of the problems, 2020 has brought us a few promising solar module manufacturer initiatives and developments. Martin Schachinger of pvXchange.com looks back over the second half of the year and offers a quick look at what could be in store for 2021.
WoodMac predicts 30% drop in Asia-Pacific front-of-meter battery costs by 2025
A new Wood Mackenzie report suggests that costs for front-of-the-meter battery storage systems in the Asia-Pacific region could fall by 30% by 2025. The declining costs are already having a palpable impact, as 2021 has opened with a slew of large-scale battery project announcements.
Shoals Technologies announces IPO
Tennessee-based Shoals Technologies has balance-of-systems solutions deployed on more than 20 GW of solar energy systems throughout the world.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Another 21 GW of module capacity and record PV growth for SPIC
Longi and Risen both announced plans to build up new module and cell manufacturing capacity. Furthermore, the State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) has revealed it deployed more than 10 GW of solar power last year.
IFC says green recovery could drive $2.5tn renewables market this decade
The private-sector arm of the World Bank, which claims to leverage $3 of its own capital and $8 from third parties for every dollar invested in its blended finance funds, has attempted to quantify what devoting Covid recovery funds to green investment would mean for emerging economies.
Is China really opening its energy market to EU enterprises?
In an interview with pv magazine, Frank Haugwitz – the director of the Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory (AECEA) – explained how the recent China-EU investment deal could offer more opportunities to European companies in China’s renewable energy market. He said the agreement shall provide transparency over policies, regulations, financing, and subsidies. And competition shall grow, especially in the C&I solar segment, he added.
Mitsubishi and Japanese university offer peer-to-peer trading alternative to FIT payments
Blockchain systems are being tested as a means of offering solar households revenue for excess power they generate, now the FIT program has ceased.
Turkish PV manufacturer report reveals country’s annual production capacity is 5,610 MW/year
In September 2020, Stantec Turkey launched a market assessment report for the Turkish solar PV panel manufacturing sector. The English version of the “Market Report for Turkey’s Photovoltaic Panel Manufacturing” followed in November. The report, based on collected data from local manufacturers, depicts the history of the market since its inception in 2011 and provides unique insights into its development and future potential.
Smart meters disrupt residential PV segment in Belgium’s Flanders region
A recent ruling of the Belgian constitutional court has canceled the 15-year grace period granted to residential PV system owners to keep operating under net metering despite the arrival of smart meters. The Flemish government said it will provide some compensation for the financial losses that this decision will cause.
