Auctions

An uptick in global PV demand will occur in 2020, with China’s 30.5 policy directly affecting 2018’s results by around 18%, says GTM Research. Rapidly falling module prices will benefit predominantly Asian markets, where modules comprise the lion’s share of capex, although regions like Europe will see increased installations. Laying out 10 PV predictions, it anticipates, among others, intensified competition, lower bid prices, more technology neutral auctions and an increasing amount of subsidy free solar.

With its feed-in tariff program set to expire at the end of the year, Serbia will be looking to introduce new mechanisms to support renewables in the form of feed-in premiums and auctions. The country’s PV uptake is still in its nascent stage however, with abundant regulatory obstacles still in place

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.

With over 220,000 solar modules installed on 110 hectares of land, the project is expected to be switched on by the end of 2018.

In an interview with pv magazine, President of the Portuguese renewable energy association Apren, António Sá da Costa, has explained why solar and renewable energy power plants selling electricity to the spot market are still unviable in the country, and has urged the government to introduce auctions.

Solar projects with a capacity above 1 MW will compete with wind projects in a 150 MW renewable energy auction to be held in Poland by the end of this year, according to local research institute IEO.

Price of INR 3.30/kWh recorded at Rewa Solar Park auction in Madhya Pradesh among lowest in the world, and marks continuation of downward trend. Many factors played a role in bringing down the price in this particular auction, says Mercom Capital Group.