Self-consumption

The European Parliament has proposed both an upgraded, binding RE target of 35%, and plans to reduce energy consumption by 40% by 2030. The two resolutions, along with other provisions to remove fees or taxes on self-consumption, now have to be approved in January. SolarPower Europe has welcomed the news, saying the move will boost jobs and investment.

The government of Atlántico Department, on Colombia’s Caribbean Coastline, has announced plans for an initiative to support the region’s dairy producers, by financing PV systems to power milk cooling tanks.

The European Commission has approved three initiatives of the French government aimed at supporting renewable energies. One of these is the new regulation for residential and commercial PV, which includes a 20-year FIT for power injected into the grid.

The French Energy Regulatory Authority has published the tender for the installation of renewable energy and PV projects for self-consumption ranging in size from 100 kW to 500 kW. Through the tender the French government aims to allocate 450 MW of renewable energy capacity over the next three years.

The German federal government has unveiled its proposal to support solar power installation for tenants living in rented housing (Mietestrom). The support will be capped at 500 MW total installed capacity per year, and limited to PV systems up to 100 kW.

The Swedish government is proposing a 98% reduction to the tax on electricity generated by renewable energy power generators over 255 kW. The new rules were submitted to local Parliament and, if approved, would come into force by January 2018 at the latest.

PV systems installed under Chile’s net-metering scheme have reached 6.4 MW. The Chilean government has recently made it easier to install small-sized PV for self-consumption.

France’s Parliament has given final passage to a law that regulates the installation of renewable energy systems for self-consumption. The new legislation will provide a clear regulatory framework for the grid-connection of these installations.

The Colombian government has published the decree that regulates the installation of renewable energy and solar power systems for self-consumption. The new regulation, which applies to systems up to 100 kW, simplifies the procedures for grid-connection and sale of excess power.

A new report from Clean Horizon points to several major developments in the French energy market, which point to the nation becoming Europe’s next big market for storage.