Conergy has connected a 37 MW solar power plant to the grid for RWE Supply & Trading, the energy trading division of German utility giant RWE.
Located on a disused airfield at Kencot Hill, close to the historic village of Burford in West Oxfordshire -- the parliamentary constituency of British Prime Minister David Cameron -- the new power plant is already producing enough electricity to supply 10,000 homes in the local area.
Conergy will continue to operate and maintain the plant after its ownership is transferred to Foresight Solar Fund Limited, a London Stock Exchange-listed fund managed by Foresight Group.
Conergy noted that the Kencot Hill site was well-screened from the area's busy neighboring roads after the company planted 15 acres of woodland and installed and reinforced two miles of hedgerows. The solar farm has planning permission for 24 years, after which the land must be returned to its original use. In that time, it is expected to avoid the release of a quarter of a million tons of greenhouse gases.
"Large solar plants in the right places, like Kencot Hill, already allow thousands of people to run their washing machines and recharge their iPhones," said Conergy UK Managing Director Robert Goss. "They don't think about where the electricity comes from, but when they're asked what kind of power they want, most say solar. There are plenty of brownfield sites left in Britain, and a temporary invisible solar farm will always be more popular with the locals than a new housing estate or giant nuclear power station."
Conergy's international projects business tripled in the 12 months to June, when Bloomberg New Energy Finance ranked the company among the top five biggest builders of solar farms in the U.K.
Friday 31 October 2014
Inside the Enphase storage play
Last week micro inverter supplier Enphase Energy unveiled its AC storage product at the SPI trade show in Las Vegas. The announcement attracted considerable hype and pv magazine spoke to Ameet Konkar, Enphase's senior director of strategic initiatives about the move.
So Enphase is moving into storage. Why storage and why now?
I think a big part of it is if you go back to our beginnings, we are not Enphase solar, we are not Enphase microinverter, we are Enphase energy. And so the overall vision was always to participate in a broader energy ecosystem. If you think about storage it’s becoming more of an extension of what solar needs, it’s not a “are we entering into storage?” it’s more of a natural extension of where solar needs to go.In Hawaii, parts of Europe, Queensland in Australia you are getting to the point where you need storage to be coupled with a solar solution, to actually start getting solar to the point of higher penetration.
So it was a natural extension. We thought it was the right time, where it is still early in the industry days, but when we think there are use cases in all the areas like I talked about. But I think this is now when storage is starting to get more-and-more traction with our solution, where you get price competitive, you get a more modular solution, where people can put a few [AC storage units together] and then expand out.
I think now it truly starts getting into the beginning of the market truly taking off. Why storage? It is a natural extension of what we were doing with energy management and I think it’s the right time when the market, in a year or two really takes off.
What is the significance of having the Enphase 5th generation S-Series microinverter actually in the battery unit?
The way of thinking about this is if you see solutions out there on the market, there are big massive power conversion systems and you are trying to combine that with massive battery systems and our whole way of thinking was, how can we make this modular and simple, the way we did with solar? It sounds like a catch phrase, but it truly was, “can we do for storage what we did for solar?”
The true breakthrough was this bi-directional microinverter, that’s what makes this possible. With that now you have the possibility of connecting that to a very modular, scalable small pack. It’s about a 1 kWh to1.2 kWh solution. And you combine that and now you have a complete solution with which people can just plug and play.
You can now size for different needs. Let’s say you buy an EV, and you want to charge it later on with cheap solar that you have stored during the day, it’s not easy to expand a storage system today. That’s where combining those two technologies and making a fully scalable modular box is the exciting part for me.
So modularity is key, but doesn’t it add to the cost?
Storage is still new, there are early adopters who irrespective of the cost will put storage in because they think it is the right thing to do. But I think if storage is going to move into the mainstream it’s important for people to get something that they can afford on an entry level and try it out.
Modularity is a big part of the value proposition and a big part of the thinking behind making this modular is that our existing installers can go and sell one or two of these, get the customer comfortable with it, demonstrate the benefit and then without any system changes go in and put four more. You just get four units, mount them, connect them in and then you now have six instead of two. And so I think that was giving the customer the flexibility that doesn’t exist in the market today, I think that is a big part of the value proposition that we wanted to bring to the market.
The AC battery looks very much like a residential product, is this indicating that residential really is the sweet spot for Enphase?
I don’t think so at all. It definitely is an area we know really well and we do really well in. But our new C250 Microinverter System, that pushes us further into the commercial side. Just the same way that we have shown microinverters are scalable with large commercial and we are even in conversations about doing utility scale, the same thinking applies to the AC battery solution.
We can rack them up in a big telecom rack and we are starting to speak with customers of commercial solutions that are 8kWh or 10kWh that you can mount on feeders and serve different parts of the commercial segment.
So yes, we are starting with residential, but given the interest that we have seen we expect commercial to follow very closely behind that.
There is a lot of hype here at SPI about storage technologies and the effect it will have on the PV industry. Do you honestly believe that it will have a major impact?
I think it will. I think there is a factor of timing, maybe that will be two years from now or four years from now, that is the crystal ball question everyone is asking. But I think it has to be. We’ve seen places like Hawaii, Queensland, Germany, where people simply connect solar to the grid and in a high penetration area it does create a lot of issues for grid stability.
As the industry matures and it continues to integrate with the solar industry, I think it just makes a lot of sense for managing intermittency, providing some peak shifting, I think in a lot of cases it will soon get to a point where to have a high penetration of solar, you are going to need to have some level of storage. It’s not an if, it’s more a question of when that that will become a reality.
What sort payback period are you talking about with the AB battery?
I think battery storage makes more sense in some areas than in others, that is the overall story with storage. We hope that making it an overall, modular product makes it easier from a price perspective and installation perspective.
The areas where the AC battery makes sense are the ones I keep repeating, Hawaii, Queensland, etc. But I think that as net metering keeps going away, where FITs keep going away, then it starts becoming a bigger financial case. The other part that is exciting is that we are talking to utilities about using our batteries not just for demand response but now the same new microinverter have on the rooftop, it actually provides reactive power. That becomes interesting because the utility can give the homeowner an incentive to provide them with grid stability, rather than paying big rate-based systems that they actually need to buy and put on the feeder.
Like peaking gas plants and the like?
Exactly. So I think that is where the financials will get to a breakthrough phase when the utilities begin to participate to the whole equation. It might be behind the meter, but the utilities can benefit from it and actually give some of the economics back to the homeowner. That’s where storage really takes off.
How are you planning to roll out the AC battery?
We are beta testing it next year, in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Then the full launch will be in all of those places, one after the other. We are trying to go global on this really fast. That’s because the use cases for the AC battery are not only in the U.S., it is in California, Hawaii, maybe the north east. So to capture the whole market you have to go to different places.
The beauty of that is that our microinverters are used everywhwere today, and so we understand those markets, the technical requirements etc. and so it’s the exact same requirements that we are putting inside. Yes there are some regulatory differences with storage between markets, but they are not new markets for us, so we are prepared to enter all of those pretty quickly.
The AC battery has a storage capacity of 1.2 kWh with an estimated lifetime of 10 years. Enphase plans to begin rolling it out in the second half of 2015.
So Enphase is moving into storage. Why storage and why now?
I think a big part of it is if you go back to our beginnings, we are not Enphase solar, we are not Enphase microinverter, we are Enphase energy. And so the overall vision was always to participate in a broader energy ecosystem. If you think about storage it’s becoming more of an extension of what solar needs, it’s not a “are we entering into storage?” it’s more of a natural extension of where solar needs to go.In Hawaii, parts of Europe, Queensland in Australia you are getting to the point where you need storage to be coupled with a solar solution, to actually start getting solar to the point of higher penetration.
So it was a natural extension. We thought it was the right time, where it is still early in the industry days, but when we think there are use cases in all the areas like I talked about. But I think this is now when storage is starting to get more-and-more traction with our solution, where you get price competitive, you get a more modular solution, where people can put a few [AC storage units together] and then expand out.
I think now it truly starts getting into the beginning of the market truly taking off. Why storage? It is a natural extension of what we were doing with energy management and I think it’s the right time when the market, in a year or two really takes off.
What is the significance of having the Enphase 5th generation S-Series microinverter actually in the battery unit?
The way of thinking about this is if you see solutions out there on the market, there are big massive power conversion systems and you are trying to combine that with massive battery systems and our whole way of thinking was, how can we make this modular and simple, the way we did with solar? It sounds like a catch phrase, but it truly was, “can we do for storage what we did for solar?”
The true breakthrough was this bi-directional microinverter, that’s what makes this possible. With that now you have the possibility of connecting that to a very modular, scalable small pack. It’s about a 1 kWh to1.2 kWh solution. And you combine that and now you have a complete solution with which people can just plug and play.
You can now size for different needs. Let’s say you buy an EV, and you want to charge it later on with cheap solar that you have stored during the day, it’s not easy to expand a storage system today. That’s where combining those two technologies and making a fully scalable modular box is the exciting part for me.
So modularity is key, but doesn’t it add to the cost?
Storage is still new, there are early adopters who irrespective of the cost will put storage in because they think it is the right thing to do. But I think if storage is going to move into the mainstream it’s important for people to get something that they can afford on an entry level and try it out.
Modularity is a big part of the value proposition and a big part of the thinking behind making this modular is that our existing installers can go and sell one or two of these, get the customer comfortable with it, demonstrate the benefit and then without any system changes go in and put four more. You just get four units, mount them, connect them in and then you now have six instead of two. And so I think that was giving the customer the flexibility that doesn’t exist in the market today, I think that is a big part of the value proposition that we wanted to bring to the market.
The AC battery looks very much like a residential product, is this indicating that residential really is the sweet spot for Enphase?
I don’t think so at all. It definitely is an area we know really well and we do really well in. But our new C250 Microinverter System, that pushes us further into the commercial side. Just the same way that we have shown microinverters are scalable with large commercial and we are even in conversations about doing utility scale, the same thinking applies to the AC battery solution.
We can rack them up in a big telecom rack and we are starting to speak with customers of commercial solutions that are 8kWh or 10kWh that you can mount on feeders and serve different parts of the commercial segment.
So yes, we are starting with residential, but given the interest that we have seen we expect commercial to follow very closely behind that.
There is a lot of hype here at SPI about storage technologies and the effect it will have on the PV industry. Do you honestly believe that it will have a major impact?
I think it will. I think there is a factor of timing, maybe that will be two years from now or four years from now, that is the crystal ball question everyone is asking. But I think it has to be. We’ve seen places like Hawaii, Queensland, Germany, where people simply connect solar to the grid and in a high penetration area it does create a lot of issues for grid stability.
As the industry matures and it continues to integrate with the solar industry, I think it just makes a lot of sense for managing intermittency, providing some peak shifting, I think in a lot of cases it will soon get to a point where to have a high penetration of solar, you are going to need to have some level of storage. It’s not an if, it’s more a question of when that that will become a reality.
What sort payback period are you talking about with the AB battery?
I think battery storage makes more sense in some areas than in others, that is the overall story with storage. We hope that making it an overall, modular product makes it easier from a price perspective and installation perspective.
The areas where the AC battery makes sense are the ones I keep repeating, Hawaii, Queensland, etc. But I think that as net metering keeps going away, where FITs keep going away, then it starts becoming a bigger financial case. The other part that is exciting is that we are talking to utilities about using our batteries not just for demand response but now the same new microinverter have on the rooftop, it actually provides reactive power. That becomes interesting because the utility can give the homeowner an incentive to provide them with grid stability, rather than paying big rate-based systems that they actually need to buy and put on the feeder.
Like peaking gas plants and the like?
Exactly. So I think that is where the financials will get to a breakthrough phase when the utilities begin to participate to the whole equation. It might be behind the meter, but the utilities can benefit from it and actually give some of the economics back to the homeowner. That’s where storage really takes off.
How are you planning to roll out the AC battery?
We are beta testing it next year, in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Then the full launch will be in all of those places, one after the other. We are trying to go global on this really fast. That’s because the use cases for the AC battery are not only in the U.S., it is in California, Hawaii, maybe the north east. So to capture the whole market you have to go to different places.
The beauty of that is that our microinverters are used everywhwere today, and so we understand those markets, the technical requirements etc. and so it’s the exact same requirements that we are putting inside. Yes there are some regulatory differences with storage between markets, but they are not new markets for us, so we are prepared to enter all of those pretty quickly.
The AC battery has a storage capacity of 1.2 kWh with an estimated lifetime of 10 years. Enphase plans to begin rolling it out in the second half of 2015.
Thursday 30 October 2014
How to choose solar power batteries
Battery is one of the main components of photovoltaic power plants for energy storage, the upcoming solar energy batteries supplied into chemical energy stored in them. Usually during the day to charge the battery by the solar cell matrix, nighttime power to the load from the battery, solar battery charging in a semi-floating state.
To make the battery system has high reliability, we must first correct choice of batteries, UPS batteries and communication in the design there are different: Some batteries have better cycle characteristics; some battery suitable for start-up; some battery suitable for low-temperature environment; Some battery suitable for low current discharge and so on.
In the selection of batteries, battery on understanding the various differences between the process and the use is necessary, we must first fully understand the needs of users of the product itself. Such as back-up power system capacity requirements, frequency of use, the use of the environment, the main purpose, service life, reliability, instantaneous discharge rate, rectifiers battery specifications and other relevant performance requirements.
Second, we must understand the electrical performance of the battery, including product design parameters (battery model, the appearance of size, rated capacity, rated voltage, the weight, the weight ratio of the energy, the volume ratio of energy, design life, the number of positive and negative plates sheet, positive and negative plates thickness ratio, the electrolyte density, type plates, plate gate materials, etc.), the product electrical performance parameters, the actual life of the product, installation environment, different types of performance and price, different types of product warranty period, etc.
To make the battery system has high reliability, we must first correct choice of batteries, UPS batteries and communication in the design there are different: Some batteries have better cycle characteristics; some battery suitable for start-up; some battery suitable for low-temperature environment; Some battery suitable for low current discharge and so on.
In the selection of batteries, battery on understanding the various differences between the process and the use is necessary, we must first fully understand the needs of users of the product itself. Such as back-up power system capacity requirements, frequency of use, the use of the environment, the main purpose, service life, reliability, instantaneous discharge rate, rectifiers battery specifications and other relevant performance requirements.
Second, we must understand the electrical performance of the battery, including product design parameters (battery model, the appearance of size, rated capacity, rated voltage, the weight, the weight ratio of the energy, the volume ratio of energy, design life, the number of positive and negative plates sheet, positive and negative plates thickness ratio, the electrolyte density, type plates, plate gate materials, etc.), the product electrical performance parameters, the actual life of the product, installation environment, different types of performance and price, different types of product warranty period, etc.
IKEA to offer residential solar panels in the Netherlands
Swedish furniture store IKEA is to offer residential solar panels in the Netherlands.
In partnership with thin-film module manufacturer and installer Hanergy, IKEA will offer residential solar panels in its Haarlem, Netherlands store.
Dutch customers can buy solar panels from IKEA with prices starting from €3200, and an average installation price for a 2.5kW system €4400. IKEA said it is also to offer a 15% discount to its ‘IKEA Family’ members.
IKEA plans to extend the availability for solar panels in its Utrecht, Netherlands store next month, Switzerland in December and six other countries in the future.
The expansion to the Netherlands is after a successful pilot in the UK which saw 1,500 systems sold. The pilot began in Southampton, UK in October last year – and was available from all UK stores by May 2014.
Hanergy and IKEA claim an installation could save €463 (54%) in electricity costs a year for customers from The Netherlands – a 10.5% return on the initial investment in the first year.
IKEA said the Netherlands has a growing solar industry with high public awareness of solar energy; 88% are aware that solar panels reduce energy bills and 70% are aware that solar panels still generate electricity when it is cloudy.
IKEA’s Netherlands sustainability manager, Lisen Wirén, said residential systems would suit customers “who want to live sustainably and save energy at the same time, without too high an investment".
Hanergy Solar UK CEO, Toby Ferenczi, said: “Residential solar panels are one of the best ways to reduce electricity bills and can provide significant annual savings.”
Hanergy is planning to “continue to work with IKEA in rolling out our offer in Europe following a successful UK pilot, and are looking forward to enabling as many families as possible to save on energy costs while living more sustainably” added Ferenczi.
In partnership with thin-film module manufacturer and installer Hanergy, IKEA will offer residential solar panels in its Haarlem, Netherlands store.
Dutch customers can buy solar panels from IKEA with prices starting from €3200, and an average installation price for a 2.5kW system €4400. IKEA said it is also to offer a 15% discount to its ‘IKEA Family’ members.
IKEA plans to extend the availability for solar panels in its Utrecht, Netherlands store next month, Switzerland in December and six other countries in the future.
The expansion to the Netherlands is after a successful pilot in the UK which saw 1,500 systems sold. The pilot began in Southampton, UK in October last year – and was available from all UK stores by May 2014.
Hanergy and IKEA claim an installation could save €463 (54%) in electricity costs a year for customers from The Netherlands – a 10.5% return on the initial investment in the first year.
IKEA said the Netherlands has a growing solar industry with high public awareness of solar energy; 88% are aware that solar panels reduce energy bills and 70% are aware that solar panels still generate electricity when it is cloudy.
IKEA’s Netherlands sustainability manager, Lisen Wirén, said residential systems would suit customers “who want to live sustainably and save energy at the same time, without too high an investment".
Hanergy Solar UK CEO, Toby Ferenczi, said: “Residential solar panels are one of the best ways to reduce electricity bills and can provide significant annual savings.”
Hanergy is planning to “continue to work with IKEA in rolling out our offer in Europe following a successful UK pilot, and are looking forward to enabling as many families as possible to save on energy costs while living more sustainably” added Ferenczi.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Friday 24 October 2014
Let PV share haze governance
Governance haze, from the production of clean energy start
Governance long-term "haze", not "put his head to see" so simple, Beijing long wanted to govern in 2017, is simply to take his own life in a joke. Los Angeles smog control with over half a century, the London cast off the "fog" hat with a 28-year, Beijing governance haze never be able to bear fruit in the short term.
Nor is it the responsibility of governance haze individual departments, but everyone should jointly undertake. I think Mao Daqing, executive vice president of Vanke Group, wrote in his "My 2014 Beijing Marathon of Shame" in an article well: Every runner should ponder, every individual we should change what they do, but our previous What did it? all issues are pushed to the "relevant" head, is tantamount to shouting "individualism," the slogan of "collectivism" to shirk their own responsibility!
Governance haze must start from the beginning now, everyone from the start, rather than the people of the world together to suck the fog. China Science and Technology Information Institute published an article, "London fog and haze control measures and enlightenment", where the second lesson is "the use of clean energy technologies, to develop a low-carbon economy." Do not think that the development of low-carbon economy seems to point to the level of national development strategies, individuals can not participate. In fact, everyone can become a clean energy producers, rather than spending on the environment can only harm the tradition of great energy. Photovoltaic, is making every ordinary residents to become clean energy producers as possible.
It is understood that, in Europe, especially Germany, collaborative community, community power cooperation, Consumers Union together, every household to install solar panels on the roof power, together forming cooperatives to sell electricity. This year, a large number of power generation companies no longer grow, but face competition from a number of small-scale power generation community. And the next 15 years, the United States will reduce the total installed generating a quarter of the fossil fuel generators, and renewable energy power generation capacity will be four times the current distributed photovoltaic power generation capacity may turn as much as twenty-fold.
"Third industrial revolution" in rice Rifkin author in a recent interview said: "I visited China last September during the National Grid issued a plan to invest $ 82 billion fund to Construction of distributed power grid and the Internet, as well as the construction of the smart grid, which means that China will be the country's strength and behavior so many people in their own homes in distributed generation, change the energy landscape. "Since 2013, the state issued a document frequently encourage and support the development of distributed PV industry, especially this year September release of "further implementation of distributed PV notice of the policy," and proposed 15 measures to strengthen the implementation of photovoltaic power generation policy, attaches great importance to the development of distributed PV.
More importantly, more and more individuals begin to understand and try to install photovoltaic systems. 2012 onwards, the country start to appear, "Photovoltaic first person", their personal stories of photovoltaic power generation process is reprinted reported , not only to promote and guide to some extent regulate the development of distributed photovoltaic power generation, but also allow more people to see the PV charm. PV solar power, is no longer a novelty, but also not as expensive a few years ago, it became a kind everyone can try, everyone can participate in lifestyle.
Governance long-term "haze", not "put his head to see" so simple, Beijing long wanted to govern in 2017, is simply to take his own life in a joke. Los Angeles smog control with over half a century, the London cast off the "fog" hat with a 28-year, Beijing governance haze never be able to bear fruit in the short term.
Nor is it the responsibility of governance haze individual departments, but everyone should jointly undertake. I think Mao Daqing, executive vice president of Vanke Group, wrote in his "My 2014 Beijing Marathon of Shame" in an article well: Every runner should ponder, every individual we should change what they do, but our previous What did it? all issues are pushed to the "relevant" head, is tantamount to shouting "individualism," the slogan of "collectivism" to shirk their own responsibility!
Governance haze must start from the beginning now, everyone from the start, rather than the people of the world together to suck the fog. China Science and Technology Information Institute published an article, "London fog and haze control measures and enlightenment", where the second lesson is "the use of clean energy technologies, to develop a low-carbon economy." Do not think that the development of low-carbon economy seems to point to the level of national development strategies, individuals can not participate. In fact, everyone can become a clean energy producers, rather than spending on the environment can only harm the tradition of great energy. Photovoltaic, is making every ordinary residents to become clean energy producers as possible.
It is understood that, in Europe, especially Germany, collaborative community, community power cooperation, Consumers Union together, every household to install solar panels on the roof power, together forming cooperatives to sell electricity. This year, a large number of power generation companies no longer grow, but face competition from a number of small-scale power generation community. And the next 15 years, the United States will reduce the total installed generating a quarter of the fossil fuel generators, and renewable energy power generation capacity will be four times the current distributed photovoltaic power generation capacity may turn as much as twenty-fold.
"Third industrial revolution" in rice Rifkin author in a recent interview said: "I visited China last September during the National Grid issued a plan to invest $ 82 billion fund to Construction of distributed power grid and the Internet, as well as the construction of the smart grid, which means that China will be the country's strength and behavior so many people in their own homes in distributed generation, change the energy landscape. "Since 2013, the state issued a document frequently encourage and support the development of distributed PV industry, especially this year September release of "further implementation of distributed PV notice of the policy," and proposed 15 measures to strengthen the implementation of photovoltaic power generation policy, attaches great importance to the development of distributed PV.
More importantly, more and more individuals begin to understand and try to install photovoltaic systems. 2012 onwards, the country start to appear, "Photovoltaic first person", their personal stories of photovoltaic power generation process is reprinted reported , not only to promote and guide to some extent regulate the development of distributed photovoltaic power generation, but also allow more people to see the PV charm. PV solar power, is no longer a novelty, but also not as expensive a few years ago, it became a kind everyone can try, everyone can participate in lifestyle.
Thursday 23 October 2014
PV Gangster turned upside down?
China's PV future leader should come from three phalanx: 2007 years ago overseas listed companies, 2011 years ago domestic listed companies, in 2013 after entering the industry's capital heavyweights. Now it seems that the possibility of the third phalanx seems greater because the world's largest PV terminal market day from China, the industry has entered the era of emphasis on capital operation ability from an emphasis on processing capacity.
When big brother is brilliant, it must be the most tired, at this time when the photovoltaic industry heavyweights more tired. Because, in terms of human and China PV industry as a new, industry uncertainty determines the constant innovation of enterprise adaptability and leading enterprises. This is not the time, high discipline Where Trina has not yet formed a strategic development under the new situation, and now have to take up the task of promoting the industry. Any healthy person of high discipline, the nature of the energy industry, it is a suitable business, industry leaders, but in terms of the current era of industry big change, this leader was whether a seat easily, only high discipline where they know. Look around, or willing, or able aspirations to the world are: New Energy Chamber of Commerce president Jun Li River, the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association chairman Zhu Gong Shan, Zheng Jianming tailwind original thought is representative of the power of capital, who thought of a night and popped Dong Wenbiao investment in China this whistle troops.
From the industrial capital of thinking to thinking, from upstream to downstream processing simple pursuit of new business models, need only shipped from Europe to the global industrial chain layout, compared to 2004, PV bigwigs much more difficult. Then as long as you can buy more equipment, buried production on the line, you big capacity than others, you're the boss. Today, China has become the world's most competitive PV industry, according to boss others have inadvertently standards to you. At a time when the Chinese PV entrepreneurs, on the industrial environment, since the reform and opening up, Chinese entrepreneurs are most familiar with export-oriented processing environment has become in the past, the new world's most competitive business environment to support the development has not yet formed ; theory entrepreneurial thinking, currently China's international status has changed, even the Chinese are learning how to be your own boss, asked the Chinese PV entrepreneurs beyond this reality is even harder.
When big brother is brilliant, it must be the most tired, at this time when the photovoltaic industry heavyweights more tired. Because, in terms of human and China PV industry as a new, industry uncertainty determines the constant innovation of enterprise adaptability and leading enterprises. This is not the time, high discipline Where Trina has not yet formed a strategic development under the new situation, and now have to take up the task of promoting the industry. Any healthy person of high discipline, the nature of the energy industry, it is a suitable business, industry leaders, but in terms of the current era of industry big change, this leader was whether a seat easily, only high discipline where they know. Look around, or willing, or able aspirations to the world are: New Energy Chamber of Commerce president Jun Li River, the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association chairman Zhu Gong Shan, Zheng Jianming tailwind original thought is representative of the power of capital, who thought of a night and popped Dong Wenbiao investment in China this whistle troops.
From the industrial capital of thinking to thinking, from upstream to downstream processing simple pursuit of new business models, need only shipped from Europe to the global industrial chain layout, compared to 2004, PV bigwigs much more difficult. Then as long as you can buy more equipment, buried production on the line, you big capacity than others, you're the boss. Today, China has become the world's most competitive PV industry, according to boss others have inadvertently standards to you. At a time when the Chinese PV entrepreneurs, on the industrial environment, since the reform and opening up, Chinese entrepreneurs are most familiar with export-oriented processing environment has become in the past, the new world's most competitive business environment to support the development has not yet formed ; theory entrepreneurial thinking, currently China's international status has changed, even the Chinese are learning how to be your own boss, asked the Chinese PV entrepreneurs beyond this reality is even harder.
Ground-Mount Solar PV Rises Alongside Major Asian Markets
Global PV demand trends can be evaluated in a number of ways, for example by customer, by application type, or by region. Dissecting demand data this way can reveal important trends in terms of how the industry operates, as different segmentations have unique characteristics in terms of supplier and downstream business model preferences, and can even impact long-term technology trends.
Furthermore, evaluating trends over time can reveal how shifts in demand can be correlated across different segmentation types. The graphs below show trailing-twelve month (TTM) global demand, for roof-mount and ground-mount application types (left), and market shares of Europe and Major Asia-Pacific (APAC) country regions. This comparison shows a correlation between the decline of the European markets and stagnation of global roof-mount installations.
As Major APAC countries (driven by China and Japan) have become the leading drivers of the global PV industry, it is clear that the ground-mount application segment is also outpacing roof-mount deployment. This has impacts for both upstream component suppliers and downstream project developers, and it illustrates that global demand shifts on a regional perspective can also have impacts on application types which, in turn, can cause changes in technology trends.
The overall PV industry chain is still a combination of different drivers in both the upstream and downstream segments; only by understanding global, regional, and other demand segmentation trends can industry players prepare for changes and be ready to seize new opportunities.
TTM Baseline Demand by Application Type and Market Share by Major Region
Furthermore, evaluating trends over time can reveal how shifts in demand can be correlated across different segmentation types. The graphs below show trailing-twelve month (TTM) global demand, for roof-mount and ground-mount application types (left), and market shares of Europe and Major Asia-Pacific (APAC) country regions. This comparison shows a correlation between the decline of the European markets and stagnation of global roof-mount installations.
As Major APAC countries (driven by China and Japan) have become the leading drivers of the global PV industry, it is clear that the ground-mount application segment is also outpacing roof-mount deployment. This has impacts for both upstream component suppliers and downstream project developers, and it illustrates that global demand shifts on a regional perspective can also have impacts on application types which, in turn, can cause changes in technology trends.
The overall PV industry chain is still a combination of different drivers in both the upstream and downstream segments; only by understanding global, regional, and other demand segmentation trends can industry players prepare for changes and be ready to seize new opportunities.
TTM Baseline Demand by Application Type and Market Share by Major Region
Friday 17 October 2014
SPECTACULAR APPEARANCE, TRUMENDOUS SURPRISE Omnik stand In Solar Energy UK 2014
Suzhou Omnik New Technology Co., Ltd., made spectacular appearance at Solar Energy UK on October 14th - 16th, 2014. As one of the sponsor of the exhibition, Omnik sent out generous amounts of ‘Coupons’ to customers as a recognition of the show and expectation of the UK market.
OMNIK BOOTH AT SOLAR ENERGY UK 2014
SOLAR ENERGY UK 2014, which was held in Birmingham, is the No.1 solar event in UK. During the 3 years of attendance, Omnik has established very good cooperation with the exhibition organizer. During the fair, Omnik popped up with fantastic offers by giving out many coupons in the amount of 150 GBP to MCS installers to show customer appreciation.
OMNIK COUPON WHICH WAS USED AT THE SHOW
OMNIK SPONSORED WATER BOTTLE
The solar business in UK started later than in other European countries such as Germany nevertheless it has big potential in the future. Statistically, there have been installed 500 thousands rooftop PV systems in UK and this figure is predicted to double in 2015. Meanwhile, UK solar strategy is largely governed by the requirement to add approximately 2.5 GW per year for the next 7 years to meet the target of 20 GW by 2020. Therefore, UK has become another important market for Omnik after the Netherlands and Germany. Omnik has set up service centre and bonded warehouse in Felixstowe, which together with warehouses in Rotterdam and Frankfurt provide on-time delivery and in-time after sales service.
See more at: http://www.omnik-solar.com/products
OMNIK BOOTH AT SOLAR ENERGY UK 2014
SOLAR ENERGY UK 2014, which was held in Birmingham, is the No.1 solar event in UK. During the 3 years of attendance, Omnik has established very good cooperation with the exhibition organizer. During the fair, Omnik popped up with fantastic offers by giving out many coupons in the amount of 150 GBP to MCS installers to show customer appreciation.
OMNIK COUPON WHICH WAS USED AT THE SHOW
OMNIK SPONSORED WATER BOTTLE
The solar business in UK started later than in other European countries such as Germany nevertheless it has big potential in the future. Statistically, there have been installed 500 thousands rooftop PV systems in UK and this figure is predicted to double in 2015. Meanwhile, UK solar strategy is largely governed by the requirement to add approximately 2.5 GW per year for the next 7 years to meet the target of 20 GW by 2020. Therefore, UK has become another important market for Omnik after the Netherlands and Germany. Omnik has set up service centre and bonded warehouse in Felixstowe, which together with warehouses in Rotterdam and Frankfurt provide on-time delivery and in-time after sales service.
See more at: http://www.omnik-solar.com/products
Thursday 16 October 2014
Nine out of 10 Australian households consider switch to solar
Nine out of 10 Australians have considered, or would consider, switching to solar energy as a way to cut their power bills, a new survey has found.
The survey, conducted by Ernst & Young, found that money was the key driver for 70% of those people who had already installed solar, while the cost of installation remained the main reason why those households considering rooftop PV had not yet installed it (50%).
The results of the survey, released on Tuesday, found that participants – 649 electricity retail customers across regional and metro Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland – were increasingly looking for ways to cut soaring energy bills, which one in 10 respondents named as their top "stressor."
It found that nearly one in three Australians had missed a payment on an electricity bill in the past 12 months, while more than one in 10 have missed more than three payments.
The proportion of customers often or occasionally worried about being able to pay their electricity bill has remained consistently high at 70% since the last survey in 2013.
EY says the 2014 findings highlight the extent to which rising electricity prices are contributing to hardship for Australians, with "unable to afford bill payment" the single biggest reason for not paying (60%).
The report comes as Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who has been a vocal opponent of wind energy, came out in support of small-scale solar, and suggested this was a position shared by the majority of the federal Coalition, too.
“Rooftop solar is something that Coalition MPs won’t touch,” Xenophon said last week. “If anything, I want to see it expanded.”
The South Australian independent – who has stayed quiet on the Abbott government’s proposed RET changes – has expressed interest in pursuing the idea of tax rebates for low income households to help them overcome the cost of installation.
Australia’s uptake of solar PV has soared from about 1,000 installations/year a decade ago to nearly 200,000 last year, with 1.2 million installed across Australia since 2001.
The survey, conducted by Ernst & Young, found that money was the key driver for 70% of those people who had already installed solar, while the cost of installation remained the main reason why those households considering rooftop PV had not yet installed it (50%).
The results of the survey, released on Tuesday, found that participants – 649 electricity retail customers across regional and metro Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland – were increasingly looking for ways to cut soaring energy bills, which one in 10 respondents named as their top "stressor."
It found that nearly one in three Australians had missed a payment on an electricity bill in the past 12 months, while more than one in 10 have missed more than three payments.
The proportion of customers often or occasionally worried about being able to pay their electricity bill has remained consistently high at 70% since the last survey in 2013.
EY says the 2014 findings highlight the extent to which rising electricity prices are contributing to hardship for Australians, with "unable to afford bill payment" the single biggest reason for not paying (60%).
The report comes as Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, who has been a vocal opponent of wind energy, came out in support of small-scale solar, and suggested this was a position shared by the majority of the federal Coalition, too.
“Rooftop solar is something that Coalition MPs won’t touch,” Xenophon said last week. “If anything, I want to see it expanded.”
The South Australian independent – who has stayed quiet on the Abbott government’s proposed RET changes – has expressed interest in pursuing the idea of tax rebates for low income households to help them overcome the cost of installation.
Australia’s uptake of solar PV has soared from about 1,000 installations/year a decade ago to nearly 200,000 last year, with 1.2 million installed across Australia since 2001.
Canadian Solar signs 146.4 MW module deal in Honduras
Canadian Solar has signed a deal to supply PV modules to two utility-scale projects totaling 146.4 MWp in Honduras.
The two projects -- project developer/EPC Solar Power S.A. de C.V. (SOPOSA) and CompanÃa Hondurena de Energia Solar S.A. de C.V. (COHESSA) -- will be constructed in southern Honduras between December and March.
Each project has a capacity of 73.2 MWp, bringing the total to 146.4 MWp -- enough to supply the energy needs of 45,000 homes in the Central American country.
Honduras recently reached 74 MW of solar PV inverter under construction, giving it a leading position in Central America. PV development in Central America is growing rapidly. The region is set to install 1.5 GW of PV capacity through 2018, according to a recent report by market research group IHS Technology.
Canadian Solar began expanding into South America last year with a new sales and business development office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It recently supplied 4 MW of modules for NRG Energy's Spanish Town Estate Solar project in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Ontario-based company has also been increasingly active in Japan.
The two projects -- project developer/EPC Solar Power S.A. de C.V. (SOPOSA) and CompanÃa Hondurena de Energia Solar S.A. de C.V. (COHESSA) -- will be constructed in southern Honduras between December and March.
Each project has a capacity of 73.2 MWp, bringing the total to 146.4 MWp -- enough to supply the energy needs of 45,000 homes in the Central American country.
Honduras recently reached 74 MW of solar PV inverter under construction, giving it a leading position in Central America. PV development in Central America is growing rapidly. The region is set to install 1.5 GW of PV capacity through 2018, according to a recent report by market research group IHS Technology.
Canadian Solar began expanding into South America last year with a new sales and business development office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It recently supplied 4 MW of modules for NRG Energy's Spanish Town Estate Solar project in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Ontario-based company has also been increasingly active in Japan.
Wednesday 15 October 2014
Etrion builds 34 MW project in Japan
Swiss solar power company Etrion Corporation has begun construction on its first two projects in Japan totaling 34 MW and jointly owned with Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd.
The projects include the 24.7 MW Shizukuishi Solar Project, which is under construction on 51 hectares of leased land in Japan's Iwate Prefecture. Construction began in October and the solar project is expected to be operational by the end of 2016. The facility will connect through the Tohoku Electric Power utility, which has a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the project. Tohoku Electric will receive JPY 40 ($0.37) per kilowatt hour (kWh) produced. Shizukuishi is expected to generate some 25.6 gigawatt hours (GWh) of solar electricity a year.
Etrion and Hitachi High-Tech are also began construction this month on the 9.3 MW Mito PV project on 27 hectares of leased land in Ibaraki Prefecture. The plant is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2015. The facility will connect through the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The project is expected to sign a 20-year PPA with TEPCO by the end of 2014 at the same feed-in rate as the Shizukuishi project. The Mito plant is expected to generate about 10.3 GWh of electricity annually.
The companies are financing 80% of both projects through project debt from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank with an 18-year tenor. The first drawdown of the project loan for Shizukuishi was recently completed. The remaining 20% equity share for the projects is being funded by Etrion and Hitachi High-Tech based on their respective ownership interests in each project of approximately 87% and 13%.
The projects are both being built by Hitachi High-Tech using Hitachi's engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities. Hitachi High-Tech will also provide the technology, including fixed-tilt solar inverters manufacturer by Canadian Solar and inverters made by Hitachi. Hitachi High-Tech will likewise provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services through a long-term fixed-price agreement for each project.
"We have now demonstrated our unique execution capability in the Japanese solar market – from greenfield development through project finance and construction – and we look forward to accelerating our growth in the months ahead," said Etrion CEO Marco A. Northland.
The chief exec added that Etrion and Hitachi were committed to delivering "shovel-ready or under-construction projects in Japan totaling 100 MW by 2015 and 300 MW by 2017."
The projects include the 24.7 MW Shizukuishi Solar Project, which is under construction on 51 hectares of leased land in Japan's Iwate Prefecture. Construction began in October and the solar project is expected to be operational by the end of 2016. The facility will connect through the Tohoku Electric Power utility, which has a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the project. Tohoku Electric will receive JPY 40 ($0.37) per kilowatt hour (kWh) produced. Shizukuishi is expected to generate some 25.6 gigawatt hours (GWh) of solar electricity a year.
Etrion and Hitachi High-Tech are also began construction this month on the 9.3 MW Mito PV project on 27 hectares of leased land in Ibaraki Prefecture. The plant is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2015. The facility will connect through the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The project is expected to sign a 20-year PPA with TEPCO by the end of 2014 at the same feed-in rate as the Shizukuishi project. The Mito plant is expected to generate about 10.3 GWh of electricity annually.
The companies are financing 80% of both projects through project debt from Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank with an 18-year tenor. The first drawdown of the project loan for Shizukuishi was recently completed. The remaining 20% equity share for the projects is being funded by Etrion and Hitachi High-Tech based on their respective ownership interests in each project of approximately 87% and 13%.
The projects are both being built by Hitachi High-Tech using Hitachi's engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities. Hitachi High-Tech will also provide the technology, including fixed-tilt solar inverters manufacturer by Canadian Solar and inverters made by Hitachi. Hitachi High-Tech will likewise provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services through a long-term fixed-price agreement for each project.
"We have now demonstrated our unique execution capability in the Japanese solar market – from greenfield development through project finance and construction – and we look forward to accelerating our growth in the months ahead," said Etrion CEO Marco A. Northland.
The chief exec added that Etrion and Hitachi were committed to delivering "shovel-ready or under-construction projects in Japan totaling 100 MW by 2015 and 300 MW by 2017."
Polysilicon capacity expansions to pick up speed in 2015
GTM Research has released a new report which finds that rebounding prices and end-market growth are encouraging expansions of polysilicon production capacities and resumption of production at previously shuttered facilities.
Polysilicon 2015-2018: Supply, Demand, Cost and Pricing predicts that 70,000 metric tons of annual polysilicon production capacity will come online in 2015, and another 61,000 metric tons in 2016.
This will bring global polysilicon capacity to 437,000 metric tons, enough to support 85 GW of crystalline silicon PV module production. GTM Research estimates that at least 60 GW of PV demand will be needed to maintain supply/demand balance in 2016, and if demand is not great enough this could cause prices to crash.
However, through the end of 2015 GTM Research expects prices to remain stable at US$18-24 per kilogram. The global polysilicon market came out of its last period of oversupply in the second half of 2013, following a period of “severe” overcapacity from 2011 through 2013 which crashed prices and led to heavy losses at many companies.
Another finding of the report is that fluidized bed reactor (FBR) technology will make up a larger portion of polysilicon production. GTM Research predicts that FBR capacity will nearly double from 26,000 metric tons in 2014 to 46,000 metric tons in 2015, and increase again for the next two years.
“We have a really positive view on FBR,” GTM Research Lead Upstream Analyst Shyam Mehta told PV Magazine. “It has an ultimately lower cash cost floor than Siemens process.”
However, despite this growth GTM Research expects FBR to represent only 15% of global polysilicon capacity in 2018. Mehta cites the highly proprietary nature of various FBR technologies as a factor. “In 2018, the only plants that we see scaling up and operating in FBR and those that have been already announced.”
Polysilicon 2015-2018: Supply, Demand, Cost and Pricing predicts that 70,000 metric tons of annual polysilicon production capacity will come online in 2015, and another 61,000 metric tons in 2016.
This will bring global polysilicon capacity to 437,000 metric tons, enough to support 85 GW of crystalline silicon PV module production. GTM Research estimates that at least 60 GW of PV demand will be needed to maintain supply/demand balance in 2016, and if demand is not great enough this could cause prices to crash.
However, through the end of 2015 GTM Research expects prices to remain stable at US$18-24 per kilogram. The global polysilicon market came out of its last period of oversupply in the second half of 2013, following a period of “severe” overcapacity from 2011 through 2013 which crashed prices and led to heavy losses at many companies.
Another finding of the report is that fluidized bed reactor (FBR) technology will make up a larger portion of polysilicon production. GTM Research predicts that FBR capacity will nearly double from 26,000 metric tons in 2014 to 46,000 metric tons in 2015, and increase again for the next two years.
“We have a really positive view on FBR,” GTM Research Lead Upstream Analyst Shyam Mehta told PV Magazine. “It has an ultimately lower cash cost floor than Siemens process.”
However, despite this growth GTM Research expects FBR to represent only 15% of global polysilicon capacity in 2018. Mehta cites the highly proprietary nature of various FBR technologies as a factor. “In 2018, the only plants that we see scaling up and operating in FBR and those that have been already announced.”
Monday 13 October 2014
Solar microinverter market could break $1 billion by 2018
The market for global photovoltaic (PV) solar microinverters and power optimizers is forecast to more than triple in the coming years, to more than $1 billion in 2018, with established and new regions increase their adoption, according to IHS Technology.
The United States is the largest region for microinverter shipments, and residential systems are the largest market for microinverters in U.S.
Microinverters are devices that convert direct current (DC) electricity from a single solar module into alternating current (AC) used by all electrical devices.
Although they are more costly, microinverters can in some cases harvest up to 25% more electricity than conventional string or central inverter devices, which convert power from multiple solar panels.
Worldwide market revenue for PV solar microinverters and power optimizers—collectively known as module-level power electronics (MLPE)—will rise at a compound annual growth rate of 27% to $1.1 billion in 2018, up from $329 million in 2013, according to IHS data.
"Demand for MLPE has been driven by key markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia,” said Cormac Gilligan, senior analyst for solar inverters at IHS. “The market has grown to more than $300 million in size, despite continued price pressure due to new entrants into the business and decreasing PV system prices.
He said demand for microinverters and power optimizers is expected to be driven by continued acceptance in mature European PV markets, such as Germany and France. Some of the major Asian markets, such as Japan and China, will also generate significant opportunity.
With microinverter suppliers expected to soon gain Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) certification in Japan, microinverters will likely be shipping soon into this huge residential market.
In the next few years more microinverters are expected to go into commercial installations in the United States, which will keep the U.S. as the largest market for microinverters through 2018.
The United States is the largest region for microinverter shipments, and residential systems are the largest market for microinverters in U.S.
Microinverters are devices that convert direct current (DC) electricity from a single solar module into alternating current (AC) used by all electrical devices.
Although they are more costly, microinverters can in some cases harvest up to 25% more electricity than conventional string or central inverter devices, which convert power from multiple solar panels.
Worldwide market revenue for PV solar microinverters and power optimizers—collectively known as module-level power electronics (MLPE)—will rise at a compound annual growth rate of 27% to $1.1 billion in 2018, up from $329 million in 2013, according to IHS data.
"Demand for MLPE has been driven by key markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia,” said Cormac Gilligan, senior analyst for solar inverters at IHS. “The market has grown to more than $300 million in size, despite continued price pressure due to new entrants into the business and decreasing PV system prices.
He said demand for microinverters and power optimizers is expected to be driven by continued acceptance in mature European PV markets, such as Germany and France. Some of the major Asian markets, such as Japan and China, will also generate significant opportunity.
With microinverter suppliers expected to soon gain Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) certification in Japan, microinverters will likely be shipping soon into this huge residential market.
In the next few years more microinverters are expected to go into commercial installations in the United States, which will keep the U.S. as the largest market for microinverters through 2018.
Solar Energy Storage System For Homes and Businesses Unveiled
An 8.6 kWh lithium-ion solar energy storage system for residential and commercial use has been launched by JuiceBox Energy. It is designed to work with grid-tied or off-grid solar systems. It features a system controller so the battery can be used as back-up power to a grid, thus enabling peak shifting and demand charge reduction. Notice these capabilities go beyond mere storage.
juiceboxIn other words, battery technology can be smart and interactive in addition to storing electricity. The system has a battery based inverter, and management system for charging and discharging. Diagnostics are part of the design, too, to monitor the system for potential faults. JuiceBox will be available in the fourth quarter of 2014, with greater volume production beginning in 2015.
“Energy storage is the critical technology that allows unrestrained solar growth enabling a clean energy future and a more resilient grid,” explained Neil Maguire, CEO of JuiceBox. JuiceBox is taking advance orders, but it isn’t clear yet what the price is.
It was reported in 2013 that solar power storage systems do qualify for the Federal Residential Energy Tax Credit. This kind of incentive is important because solar energy generally appears to be regarded as primarily about solar panels, but storage could become more common.
One thing that is nearly taken for granted with these new technologies is that they will be used for data collection that then can be constantly analyzed to improve those systems, “Another important innovation on the technology side will be “turning solar inverter into what we call ‘smart’ inverters. California is once again taking a lead in pushing grid-interactive functions into the inverters that connect solar PV systems to the grid. We want to get those features out into the field in every inverter possible, as soon as possible,” said Carlson.
Big data refers to the trend that is currently emerging and changing industry, but one could say there is also little data. Homeowners and business owners can measure and analyze their own data streams. It seems only reasonable to wonder if there aren’t greater opportunities for innovation embedded in these future data. It won’t be long before solar power storage systems are in the hands of people who will be sharing information on blogs and in online communities.
Surely this user information will add value somewhere and somehow to the solar energy sector, and for homeowners to optimize their energy efficiency. There has been too much focus on the cost of solar energy, and not enough on the fact that in the long run, such an investment can save money. Intelligent solar energy systems should help consumer awareness expand.
juiceboxIn other words, battery technology can be smart and interactive in addition to storing electricity. The system has a battery based inverter, and management system for charging and discharging. Diagnostics are part of the design, too, to monitor the system for potential faults. JuiceBox will be available in the fourth quarter of 2014, with greater volume production beginning in 2015.
“Energy storage is the critical technology that allows unrestrained solar growth enabling a clean energy future and a more resilient grid,” explained Neil Maguire, CEO of JuiceBox. JuiceBox is taking advance orders, but it isn’t clear yet what the price is.
It was reported in 2013 that solar power storage systems do qualify for the Federal Residential Energy Tax Credit. This kind of incentive is important because solar energy generally appears to be regarded as primarily about solar panels, but storage could become more common.
One thing that is nearly taken for granted with these new technologies is that they will be used for data collection that then can be constantly analyzed to improve those systems, “Another important innovation on the technology side will be “turning solar inverter into what we call ‘smart’ inverters. California is once again taking a lead in pushing grid-interactive functions into the inverters that connect solar PV systems to the grid. We want to get those features out into the field in every inverter possible, as soon as possible,” said Carlson.
Big data refers to the trend that is currently emerging and changing industry, but one could say there is also little data. Homeowners and business owners can measure and analyze their own data streams. It seems only reasonable to wonder if there aren’t greater opportunities for innovation embedded in these future data. It won’t be long before solar power storage systems are in the hands of people who will be sharing information on blogs and in online communities.
Surely this user information will add value somewhere and somehow to the solar energy sector, and for homeowners to optimize their energy efficiency. There has been too much focus on the cost of solar energy, and not enough on the fact that in the long run, such an investment can save money. Intelligent solar energy systems should help consumer awareness expand.
Sunday 12 October 2014
BPVA launches UK schools solar rooftop initiative
The British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) has teamed up with U.K. solar project developer Rated Solar Installer to launch the Powering Knowledge campaign – an initiative designed to bring rooftop solar power to the 22,000 schools across the U.K.
The annual energy bill for schools in the U.K. is £500 million ($804 million) – a figure that the BPVA believes can be vastly reduced with the help of solar PV. The Powering Knowledge campaign aims to provide free solar PV systems that can then be funded via a range of options, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), crowdfunding finance, community share schemes and solar leases.
With considerable amounts of thus-far untapped rooftop space available, the BPVA and Rated Solar Installer will work with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to help schools fulfill their solar potential.
According to BPVA chairman Reza Shaybani, the campaign has already attracted a number of schools interested in signing up for the scheme. “This is the largest campaign of its kind in the U.K., and we have so far managed to raise £400 million in a relatively short period of time,” Shaybani told pv magazine.
Installations atop school roofs are scheduled to begin later this year, possibly after the Powering Knowledge Conference, which is penciled in for late 2014 or early 2015. The conference will explain the program in more detail and will be an opportunity for the U.K.’s education sector to network with the PV industry in the “hope of raising greater solar awareness in schools”, said Shaybani.
Government support
DECC, alongside the DfE, will work closely with BPVA and Rated Solar Installer on the campaign, added Shaybani. "DECC has been very supportive. This all started when former minister for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker launched the Power to Pupil program back in February," said Shaybani. "Putting PV on schools is a fantastic initiative and a great cause, so we approached them with our idea, and they went with it."
The Powering Knowledge program offers a PPA at £0.05 pence per kW hour ($0.07/kWh), one of the best rates for solar power available in the U.K., and an attractive proposition for cash-strapped schools.
Speaking at the launch of the program, Amber Rudd, the current minister for Energy and Climate Change, remarked: "Solar can not only help schools to take control of their energy bills, but is also a wonderful way of engaging pupils, teachers and parents around helping the environment too."
Shaybani confirmed that the BPVA will take an active role in engaging with schools that sign up for the campaign, and will soon publish their Smork in Suntown booklet – jointly developed with SMA Technologies – that teaches children all about solar power, its potential, and how it works.
"The benefits of the Powering Knowledge campaign are tremendous for each school individually, as everyone wins: pupils, schools, local residents, and even local and central government that no longer have to face ever-increasing electricity prices," added Shaybani.
Launched solely with the PPA financing agreement, the scheme will soon be eligible for funding via the Parental Bond crowdfunding platform. The model enables parents with children enrolled at school to purchase bonds – similar to the recent 60 million bond scheme launched by Belectric – upon which a good rate of return is guaranteed. The bonds are also transferrable and can be passed on to pupils at the schools.
"Additionally, BPVA is also creating a community club whereby we give every school that joins the program £100 every year for 20 years," revealed Shaybani. "Schools can use this money any way they see fit – for investing in better IT equipment, gym refurbishment, or educational trips."
The annual energy bill for schools in the U.K. is £500 million ($804 million) – a figure that the BPVA believes can be vastly reduced with the help of solar PV. The Powering Knowledge campaign aims to provide free solar PV systems that can then be funded via a range of options, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), crowdfunding finance, community share schemes and solar leases.
With considerable amounts of thus-far untapped rooftop space available, the BPVA and Rated Solar Installer will work with the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to help schools fulfill their solar potential.
According to BPVA chairman Reza Shaybani, the campaign has already attracted a number of schools interested in signing up for the scheme. “This is the largest campaign of its kind in the U.K., and we have so far managed to raise £400 million in a relatively short period of time,” Shaybani told pv magazine.
Installations atop school roofs are scheduled to begin later this year, possibly after the Powering Knowledge Conference, which is penciled in for late 2014 or early 2015. The conference will explain the program in more detail and will be an opportunity for the U.K.’s education sector to network with the PV industry in the “hope of raising greater solar awareness in schools”, said Shaybani.
Government support
DECC, alongside the DfE, will work closely with BPVA and Rated Solar Installer on the campaign, added Shaybani. "DECC has been very supportive. This all started when former minister for Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker launched the Power to Pupil program back in February," said Shaybani. "Putting PV on schools is a fantastic initiative and a great cause, so we approached them with our idea, and they went with it."
The Powering Knowledge program offers a PPA at £0.05 pence per kW hour ($0.07/kWh), one of the best rates for solar power available in the U.K., and an attractive proposition for cash-strapped schools.
Speaking at the launch of the program, Amber Rudd, the current minister for Energy and Climate Change, remarked: "Solar can not only help schools to take control of their energy bills, but is also a wonderful way of engaging pupils, teachers and parents around helping the environment too."
Shaybani confirmed that the BPVA will take an active role in engaging with schools that sign up for the campaign, and will soon publish their Smork in Suntown booklet – jointly developed with SMA Technologies – that teaches children all about solar power, its potential, and how it works.
"The benefits of the Powering Knowledge campaign are tremendous for each school individually, as everyone wins: pupils, schools, local residents, and even local and central government that no longer have to face ever-increasing electricity prices," added Shaybani.
Launched solely with the PPA financing agreement, the scheme will soon be eligible for funding via the Parental Bond crowdfunding platform. The model enables parents with children enrolled at school to purchase bonds – similar to the recent 60 million bond scheme launched by Belectric – upon which a good rate of return is guaranteed. The bonds are also transferrable and can be passed on to pupils at the schools.
"Additionally, BPVA is also creating a community club whereby we give every school that joins the program £100 every year for 20 years," revealed Shaybani. "Schools can use this money any way they see fit – for investing in better IT equipment, gym refurbishment, or educational trips."
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