EU heeds call for priority dispatch for small-scale generators
Homeowners and businesses with small-scale solar arrays have fought off a threat to priority treatment for excess energy they want fed back into national grids. The EU has refused to heed a call to treat such generators on the same terms as giant utilities.
Romania’s solar rooftop rebate scheme ready to kick off
From Friday, Romanian homeowners and businesses may file applications for rebates that could cover up to 90% of the cost of rooftop arrays, provided the grant does not exceed $4,830. Applications will be accepted until March 1.
New York governor’s Green New Deal starts with 1 GW of large-scale solar
The state has also awarded 614 MW of wind, and three of the 20 renewable energy projects commissioned are paired with energy storage. NextEra, Invenergy and EDF are each set to build solar projects larger than 100 MW.
China installed 44.1 GW of solar in 2018, according to official NEA data
The world’s biggest solar market reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 174.63 GW at the end of last year.
EU approves France’s plan to replace nuclear plant with 300 MW of PV
The European Commission said the subsidy scheme to be adopted for the project is in line with the EU state aid rules. The 40-year old Fessenheim nuclear plant has faced several safety issues over the decades.
The weekend read: Why are we not making the most out of big data analysis?
Although the solar industry sees itself as young, its assets are aging. Owners still struggle with the complexity of making the best use of big data analysis to improve plant efficiency and profitability. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt, of Everoze, examines why this has not changed, and what can or should be improved. Artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, automated assessments and smart monitoring software – holistic solar asset management starts here.
11.7 MW of bifacial solar goes online in the Netherlands
The panels were provided by Chinese manufacturer Jolywood, which claims the Zonnepark Rilland project is the first utility-scale solar plant built with n-type bifacial modules in Europe.
Middle East solar pioneers have their efforts recognized
DEWA projects featured strongly in this year’s accolades but there was also recognition for projects beyond the region and some eye-catching innovations.
Wacker’s polysilicon business sees profit and turnover fall
The Munich-based chemical company posted an increase in sales but the fall in polysilicon prices last year and the temporary closure of US production after a hydrogen explosion had a significant impact on the results.
‘A swift transition to renewables would be unfair and cause chaos’
In the face of increasingly strident global calls to turbocharge the switch from fossil fuels to clean energy, remarks from the Saudi and Emirati energy ministers in Abu Dhabi this week will do little to encourage hopes the world can contain global temperature rises below 1.5C.
