EU Council emphasizes right of solar self-consumption under new climate target strategy
The EU Council has defined its negotiating strategy for the so-called winter package, with which the EU wants to reach its energy and climate targets. The representatives of member states accepted, inter alia, the right to self-generation and CO2 limits for power plants to be financed through capacity mechanisms.
Armenia on track to commission 10 MW, announce new utility-scale PV quotas
Work is heating up on 10 MW of solar PV plants in Armenia, which were commissioned under a special tariff announced in December 2016. Three MW have already been commissioned, with the rest scheduled for completion in 2018. Additional utility-scale quotas are also set to be published next year.
Hungarian government to encourage uptake of agricultural solar
Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, János Lázár, outlines plan to ease regulations regarding solar installations up to 500 kW installed on small one hectare sites, confirms government will offtake all solar energy produced.
Poland: RE support scheme approved, financing for 55 MW PV projects secured
A PLN 40 billion (around €9.4 billion) Polish support scheme for renewable energy has been approved by the European Commission. Meanwhile, Guernsey-based Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund has agreed to provide financing for ReneSola’s 55 plants in Poland, each with a capacity of 1 MW.
Czech Republic sees 1 MW storage project, plans for 10 MW more
A 1.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) has been installed in the Czech Republic by Solar Global and Alfen. Plans for another, 10 MW, project have been revealed.
Slovakia’s Green Houses Program has €13 million 2018 budget
The scheme grants incentives for the installation of solar water heaters, PV systems up to 10 kW, heat pumps and small windmills.
Lithuania raises net metering size limit for businesses and farmers
Prior to the introduction of the new provisions, only public institutions were entitled to install PV systems between 10 and 100 kW. The 10 kW limit will remain for private citizens, however.
Armenia sees another finished solar PV plant
Armenia’s fledgling solar industry has received a boost with the installation of another 1 MW PV plant, by Arpi Solar. The company is due to start work on another 55 MW “very soon”.
EkoRE plans 15 MW solar plant in Ukraine
The Turkish EPC contractor is also planning to install rooftop PV systems on several public buildings of the city of Ochakiv, where the solar park may be located.
Lithuania’s new energy strategy bets on wind and prosumers
Although the country’s new national energy independence strategy says wind will represent 65% of its total renewable energy share by 2050, the number of households that self-generate their power (predominantly from solar) is expected to increase from 34,000 in 2020, to 500,000 in 2030.
