MPPT and energy storage key PV inverter features
While a new survey on photovoltaic inverters has revealed that price is the over-riding factor in customer purchasing requirements, it was also found that many are willing to pay more for efficiency gains. Meanwhile, monitoring and diagnostics, multiple power point trackers (MPPT), and energy storage were identified as key inverter features.
France: FIT reductions continue
In France, the photovoltaic feed-in tariffs (FITs) continue to drop. As the countrys regulator, CRE (Commission de Regulation de lEnergie) announced, the tariffs for new installations connected in the first quarter 2012 will decrease by four to ten percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
2011: 27.7 GW of PV installed; full potential of many markets unfulfilled
According to the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), in 2011, photovoltaic installations grew 11 GW over 2010. While emerging markets played a vital role in this growth, they have yet to fulfill their “enormous” potential.
6 GW of PV installed in Asia Pacific in 2011
While it is well known that the Asia Pacific solar markets are on the up and up, new research has revealed that they are growing at a faster than expected pace. Having installed six gigawatts (GW) of new photovoltaic capacity in 2011, the region was said to have grown 165 percent year on year.
UK: DECC High Court FIT appeal dismissed; will go to Supreme Court
Representing a goal for the U.K. solar industry, the Department for Energy and Climate Changes (DECCS) judicial appeal against the High Court ruling that its plan to alter the feed-in tariff (FIT) rates was illegal, has today been dismissed.
Tunisia: 2 GW of solar to be installed
Project developer Nur Energie and the Desertec Foundation are developing plans to install two gigawatts (GW) worth of concentrated solar power (CSP) in Tunisia.
Powerway invests in South African production facilities
China-based solar mounting structure producer, Powerway Renewable Energy Co. has unveiled its plans to establish production facilities in South Africa to the tune of ZAR 10 million (around US$1.25 million; 960,700).
Germanys Economics Minister calls for PV cap and drastic cuts
It seems Germanys FDP Economics Minister has submitted his own solar incentive proposal. According to media reports, he wants to introduce a nine gigawatt (GW) cap for newly installed photovoltaic capacity until 2020, and a drastic one-time reduction in remuneration.
Italy: PV register for large systems will not open in 2H 2012
Italian regulatory authority, GSE, has officially announced that it will not open a register for large-scale photovoltaic systems in the second half (2H) of 2012.
GE to supply PV to wind project
GE has announced that it has entered into an agreement to supply 24 MW of photovoltaics to Invenergy. It will be installed at the Grand Ridge Solar project, which adjacent to the 210-MW Grand Ridge Wind project, which GE also supplied.
