SPI Solar to acquire 168 MW of PV projects from TBEA

Vertically integrated PV company Solar Power Inc. has announced this week that its subsidiary, SPI Solar, is to acquire 168 MW of PV projects from Chinese solar system and machinery maker TBEA Sunoasis, which is a subsidiary of TBEA Co., Ltd.

The deal, conducted as a definitive equity interest purchase agreement, includes a range of near-complete solar plants located in the Chinese provinces of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Xinjiang Region, and Qinghai.

Final purchase completion date is penciled in for March 31, 2015, but both parties expect some of the projects to be connected to the grid before the end of 2014. SPI Solar chairman Xiaofeng Peng remarked that the acquisition bolsters an important strategic partnership for the two companies and China’s wider solar industry, which he says is "rapidly expanding across the country" thanks to "collaborations with key players".

Jianxin Zhang, TBEA Sunoasis’s general manager, added: "We are very pleased to partner with SPI Solar in developing this prominent portfolio of solar projects. SPI has established itself as a premier developer of solar projects in China."

Last month, SPI Solar struck a larger agreement with renewable energy company GD Solar that sees the Californian company enjoy first-refusal on GD Solar's ongoing PV projects in China. In total, the deal could add as much as 1.5 GW of PV capacity to SPI's Chinese portfolio between now and 2017.

This week's acquisition of TBEA's projects follows shortly after SPI also agreed to purchase 65 MW of solar projects in Inner Mongolia that have been developed by Guodian Nailuen, for which SPI paid $101.3 million.

Fluorinated back into the crux of photovoltaic products must confront pollution risks

Recently, the National Energy Board website announced the "National Energy Board on further strengthening the PV power plant construction and operation management notice" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"). In strengthening the construction quality management, "notice" standard for the delivery of PV modules made strict demands, involving cells, Silver, packaging materials, glass, backplane, junction boxes, connectors and other key components and raw materials origin, specifications and grades. Insiders pointed out that, due to China in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules more use of fluoropolymers back, has resulted in a threat to the environment, business updates, research and development of new environmentally friendly components without delay.

The crux: fluorinated Backplane

Test data from the national environmental protection department show that the distribution of endemic fluorosis in our country is very wide, Yunnan, Hubei, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Jilin and other places existing disease counties 1296, accounting for 46.8% of the total number of counties. According to the general manager of Shanghai Giant Electronics Technology Company Luo Zigui, at present our country in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules more use of fluoropolymers backplane, since the polymer containing halogen element, after the assembly scrap, recycling may fluoropolymer will face some difficulties, and the resulting environmental pollution problems in the future will be highlighted. Given the industry is currently no effective recycling programs and technologies, combined with a solid fluorocarbon abnormal chemical structure, usually buried processing method in the year 1000 can not degrade the ingredients. Also, because the fluoride in the combustion will release toxic and harmful gases, so it can not be treated with incineration methods. In accordance with this situation continues, the PV modules caused by environmental pollution problems in the near future will become increasingly severe.

Industry data show that the total installed capacity of fluorinated back on the domestic market has exceeded 10GW, terms of the amount of 1MW installed backplane 7200 sq m, the country has used fluorinated backplane with a capacity of 72 million square meters. Such a large number of backplane security deal scrapped after urgent need of attention. In this regard, the backplane manufacturers Coveme responsible person, the whole PET film backplane or solve the above problems present rise, to maintain stable performance for a long time, do not require special handling when recycled.

The whole industry chain of environmental protection

For the security issues of PV modules in the industry as well as the national level have attracted attention. National Energy Board in the above-mentioned "notice" that the photovoltaic power plant project and network operation shall be adopted by the state commission approved certification body accredited photovoltaic modules, inverters and other key equipment. Units when the project equipment procurement tender, should clearly require the use of certified and meet the national targets of products. Key components of photovoltaic modules suppliers shall provide testing and certification consistent with cells, Silver, packaging materials, glass, backplane, junction boxes, connectors and other sources and raw and auxiliary materials, specifications and rating information.

Anticipating fluoropolymer film will cause environmental pollution, so open up the non-fluorinated backplane production, these backplanes will also be sold in China and other markets. The person in charge said, all products and production waste generated in the process are recyclable. Backplane production waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) will be recovered by a professional company, specialized companies share these materials other supplies, such as textile fibers and nonwovens. Byproduct of the production process, such as volatile organic compounds will adhesive Coveme Zhangjiagang as fuel to provide heat to other devices. For the recovery of the backplane, the use of renewable thermal combustion, does not substantially cause pollution.

The second generation solar-powered aircraft to fly China next year

Over 6000 chemical components using innovative materials and technologies the world's largest solar-powered aircraft, the second generation of Solar Impulse (No. Solar Impulse 2) by driving two Swiss explorer arrived in China in March next year. Michelin will be over on November 11 to 14 in Chengdu, Gordon Challenge held a news conference during the Solvay company, senior vice president of the Solvay company, Solar Impulse co total charge ClaudeMichel announced the news.


ClaudeMichel said Solar Impulse solar-powered aircraft on the 2nd departure from the Gulf region, the Arabian Sea, India, Burma into China after the first stop to stay in Chongqing, and then to Nanjing. Nanjing stay a week later, across the Pacific to the United States, and finally back to the end of Europe, completed the first flight around the world.

He told China Chemical Industry News exclusive interview revealed that this aircraft wingspan as big as Airbus, as heavy as a car, motorcycle power as a small plane can fly day and night solar airplane truly no consumption, no emissions, no pollution. The aircraft in four areas, more than 6000 members Solvay's innovative use of materials and techniques.

In terms of lightweight, high-performance polyurethane foam tip spar using high-performance honeycomb composite materials, dashboard shell, fasteners and hardware, brackets shock group, throttle box assembly, cylinder, LED lamp cup etc. achieve a metal replacement. In power system efficiency, the propeller bearing grease has excellent chemical and thermal resistance to withstand temperatures ranging from -80 ℃ to 250 ℃, viscosity stability, long life, compatible with metals and plastics. In electrification, before obtaining solar photovoltaic panels, backplanes are used fluorinated film materials, solar panels assembled without delamination can withstand high and low temperature stress. In terms of energy storage, visor replace conventional adhesives can improve the specific energy of at least 10% of static and dynamic longer battery life, using the new lithium battery electrolyte stability and the energy density of the battery performance improved, the same weight of the electrolyte will Solar Impulse battery energy density increased to 260Wh / kg. The cockpit fairing, engine compartment insulation measures are used in high-performance thermal insulation polyurethane foam.

When people are discussing Beijing APEC Blue can continue going down, the Michelin Challenge Bibendum renowned experts focused on global sustainable transport sector, to discuss how to make cars per kilometer of carbon emissions to 50 grams or less. ClaudeMichel said Solvay for weight reduction on the 2nd sun power, electrification, power system efficiency, green and clean four aspects of innovative technologies, materials and solutions in the field of sustainable transport applications, can reduce vehicle weight, extend the life of lithium battery electric vehicles and improve performance, reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Solar industry on both sides of pond cheer US-Chinese CO2 emissions deal

The international PV industry on both sides of the Atlantic has applauded Wednesday's announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping to increase the countries' efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions and improve trade in green goods and clean energy technologies.

James Watson, CEO of the Brussels-based European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), told pv magazine that the organization supported and welcomed the move from the world’s biggest polluters and expressed hope that the announcement would indeed inspire other countries and increase momentum in global climate negotiations.

"A few weeks after the announcement of EU ambitions for 2030, this commitment from the world’s two largest carbon emitters is a strong signal ahead of the UN Climate Summit next year in Paris," Watson said. "EPIA supports the initiative and welcomes this timely development. We now hope that this will drive the consensus that is needed for an ambitious global climate agreement.

"The news is good for the solar industry, as solar is an obvious solution to fight climate change and stimulate local economies while bringing green, sustainable and affordable energy to the world."

Watson pointed out that solar energy would "be key to meeting the ambition of China to have 20% of energy from zero-emission sources by 2030."

U.K. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey likewise welcomed the news. "These climate announcements from the U.S. and China are a clear sign that major economies are serious about getting a global deal in Paris next year.

"The U.K. led the drive to achieve an ambitious new EU target, and others are now following the EU's lead and putting targets on the table. I'm looking forward to discussing with the U.S. and China how we can achieve our shared goal of keeping the global temperature rise under 2 degrees, and avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change."

On the other side of the pond, the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) hailed the U.S.-Chinese greenhouse gas emissions deal as an “historic, breakthrough agreement."

The bilateral pact sends a clear signal to private investors and political leaders here at home and around the world that solving climate change is a top priority on both sides of the globe, according to SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch.

"This historic, breakthrough agreement represents a huge step forward when it comes to fighting climate change, and we're prepared to do our part," Resch said. "This year, solar is expected to offset an estimated 20 million metric tons of harmful CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 4 million cars off U.S. highways, saving 2.1 billion gallons of gasoline or shuttering half a dozen coal-fired power plants -- and we're just scratching the surface of our capabilities.

"Simply put, when looking at America’s energy future, solar can be a real game changer, providing more and more homes, businesses, schools and government entities across the United States with clean, reliable and affordable electricity, while also helping states to meet proposed new obligations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, as well as helping America to meet its carbon reduction goals under this agreement."

The White House followed up on Thursday with a statement from Obama counselor John Podesta, who said the new emission reduction target announced by the president “will roughly double the pace of our carbon pollution reduction -- from 1.2% per year from 2005 to 2020, to 2.3-2.8% from 2020 to 2025.

"This target keeps us on track to reduce our carbon pollution on the order of 80% by 2050, and means the U.S. is doing our part to keep global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius."

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Japan’s Largest PV Power Plant with 230MW

On November 7, Jin Hai Yantian construction site “Setouchi megawatt-scale PV power plant project” groundbreaking ceremony was held Okayama Prefecture in Seto, Japan. The project is in Seto City, and has approximately 500 hectares of salt. It is about 260 ha site in the ground, construction output power of about 230MW of megawatt-scale PV power plants. It was completed megawatt-scale PV power plant in the largest one in Japan.

From the popularity of renewable energy and local innovation perspective, the project has great significance. Under the leadership of the local government, just two years since construction, “the owner of the site in the Yantian Seto City, Mayor Takehisa Cheng said this is significant.” He hopes to take advantage of megawatt-scale PV power plants to take care of the children left behind. “We will explore how to promote us this renewable energy legislation’s city.”

Megawatt-scale PV power plant generating facility is scheduled to begin in 2019 in the second quarter business operation. The whole project consists of three elements, namely, the “megawatt-scale PV power plant generating business’ as the core investment of about 3 billion yen reinforced embankments, drainage pumps and other "secure and safe business” and the maintenance of salt and other natural wetlands site. At the same time the environment can stimulate local economic vitality “urban construction and environmental protection work.” On the same day, Takehisa Setouchi City mayor announced the “Solar City Project”, showing the concept of the 25-year total of about 10 billion yen of the rent income is used to activate the local economy.

Planning and coordination of construction projects and megawatt-scale PV power plant-related facilities by Toyo Engineering Corporation, enhance dams and other infrastructure-related construction undertaken by Shimizu Construction Company. The generated electricity will be sold to all power companies in Japan and China. After the start of commercial operations, maintaining operations of power generation equipment to the Electrical Company predetermined is centered.

As a megawatt-scale PV power plant equipment, it will be under the consideration of the protection of ecosystems. Yantian site has the setting of about 920,000 solar panels. The solar Inverter (PCS) used by the US General Electric Company (GE) and Toshiba Mitsubishi Electric Industrial Systems Corporation (TMEIC) manufactured products. Corresponding to the construction of the land below sea level soft foundation, set up panels of the stand according to the characteristics foundations were used to pile foundation and the concrete foundation. Ease of accumulating rainwater connected to the ground, and this sets the height at one meter or more.

BNEF: global solar to grow to close to 60 GW in 2015

While the global PV market remains a difficult beast to predict, with a wide array of public policy variables impacting on demand across a host of countries, BNEF expects annual installed capacity to increase by more than 20% in 2015. BNEF forecasts that by the end of 2014 an additional 48.4 GW of solar generating capacity will have been added to global grids.

The key drivers for global growth, on a national level, remains to be China and Japan with BNEF expecting  13 GW to 14 GW and 9 GW to 11 GW to installed respectively in 2014. China, in particular, is seeing an end-of-year boom with BNEF expecting a whopping 8 PW to 9 GW of PV to commissioned in China in Q4 2014 alone.

“There was a 6 GW quota given to what [the Chinese government] called ‘transmission grid connected projects,’ at the beginning of the year – and those were going ahead without any problem,” said BNEF’s head of solar analysis Chase. “The big question was all about the 8 GW quota for ‘distribution grid connected PV projects’ – and for those the economics didn’t really make sense until early September when the government changed the rules.”

BNEF’s Chase reports that many Chinese project developers were waiting for such a rule change and were ready to go with projects planned and designed.

“There were a large number of projects that were in project planning that were waiting for this [rule change to ‘distribution grid connected projects’] to happen. So I am pretty optimistic that something like 8 or 9 GW of projects can be commissioned in the Q4,”

BNEF analysis indicates that supplying these projects remains profitable for Chinese module producers.

“I think it is still marginally profitable for the low cost suppliers,” said Chase. “We are hearing prices in the low $0.60/W, which in big enough volumes is still worth doing.” Such prices work with volumes above 10 MW, according to BNEF analysis.

Elsewhere European markets remain slow, and BNEF is less bullish than some other analysts on the UK market in 2014. It expects between 2.5 GW and 2.8 GW to be installed in 2014. Chase reports that it is still uncertain as to whether the “Contracts for Difference” (CfD) scheme, which is replacing ROCs in May 2015, will deliver any significant volume to PV developers.

Looking towards emerging PV markets, Chile looks set to approach GW-market status in 2015. BNEF forecasts between 470 MW and 570 MW to go into Chile in 2014, growing to between 800 MW and 975 MW in 2015.

The Indian market too will grow, according to the BNEF forecasts. From 892 MW to 1.1 GW in 2014, the Indian market looks set to double in size in 2015 – to 2.6 GW to 3.2 GW. Power generation for onsite use, in India, is a particularly interesting emerging market in India, says Chase.

“Even though the typical grid price for electricity in India is not particularly high, a lot of companies have these ‘captive power plants’ for reliability and because in India some commercial enterprises subsidizes the residential sector,” said Chase. “And this provides an incentive for companies to sign PPA with a solar plant.”

Largest African PV plant begins operation

Africa's largest PV plant has gone online in South Africa's Northern Cape.

Developed by California-based SolarReserve, the 96 MW Jasper solar project has completed construction and is fully operational, almost two months ahead of schedule.

Jasper is located in a solar park that also includes the 75 MW Lesedi solar power project, which came online in May, and the proposed 100 MW Redstone concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant featuring SolarReserve's CSP technology with integrated energy storage.

As part of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP), Jasper will set aside a percentage of total project revenues for Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development for the benefit of the local communities.

"In addition to helping South Africa meet its critical electricity needs, the Jasper Project will bring long lasting economic benefits to the region," said SolarReserve CEO Kevin Smith, adding that the company would continuing its positive momentum in the country through collaboration on further endeavors, including upcoming CSP projects.

With more than 325,000 PV modules, the Jasper project will deliver 180,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually for South Africa residents – enough to supply some 80,000 households through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, the South African power utility company.

Selected by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) in the second round of bids under the REIPPPP, the project also marked Google's first renewable energy investment in Africa.

SolarReserve developed the project as part of a consortium that also included South African empowerment investment player Kensani Group and South African renewable energy project developer Intikon Energy. Investors inlcuded South Africa's Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Intikon, Kensani Capital Investments, Google, the PEACE Humansrus Community Trust and SolarReserve with Rand Merchant Bank providing preference share equity.