14 May 2012 | By Olivia Midgley

FEARS that solar PV is no longer viable are ‘wholly misplaced’ say four leading associations which have joined together to set the record straight about the current status of solar power and the Feed-in Tariff (FiT).

All four major trade associations representing domestic solar PV – the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA), the Micropower Council (MPC), the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and the Solar Trade Association (STA) say they are concerned the public may be confused about solar power.

The FiT was launched in spring 2010, designed to offer returns of up to 8 per cent to homeowners looking to generate their own renewable electricity – tax free, index linked, and guaranteed for 25 years.

Two years later, the tariff is offering the same return as it did when it was first launched – yet the market is stagnant, say experts.
While actual rates of return are no longer exceeding Government’s target range to the same extent as last year, a high level of consumer confusion around solar PV and the FiTmay be playing a significant role in the drop off in the number of installations.

The alliance says that thanks to drastically falling costs, solar PV remains one of the best investments around, which shields customers from rising energy bills and generates an income, while helping fight climate change and strengthen energy security.

Chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association,Gaynor Hartnell, said: “With gas and electricity prices on the rise yet again, returns for today’s investors in solar power are likely to be better than expected.

“By the end of this decade, solar energy costs are expected to fall to the point where it costs the same to generate your own power as it does to buy it from the grid. A technology with this potential is bound to transform our energy future.”

The facts about solar power and the Feed-in Tariff:

• Costs have fallen more rapidly in solar over the past 12 months than any other energy technology
• With investment today mainstream analysts expect solar power to be cheaper than buying electricity off the grid before the end of the decade, saving all consumers money in future
• A 4kWp system, the largest size for which the highest tariff is available, can be purchased today for under £9,000, whereas only one year ago it would have cost upwards of £15,000. An average domestic system is around 2.5kWp
• Solar does have a bright future in the UK. It is an exciting and popular technology. Tariffs will reduce over time in line with these significant cost reductions, with the industry keen to keep rates of return roughly within the same target range
• Solar PV continues to offer very attractive returns in comparison to other investment options available to consumers

 

Readers’ comments

(1)

• Solar John | 15 May 2012 10:33 am

  Thank you for writing such a positive and factual article on solar PV. It’s been all doom and gloom this year since the FiT’s cuts which has crushed demand, but we need to somehow get the message across to consumers that solar pv is still a great investment.

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Article source: http://www.farmersguardian.com/home/renewables/solar-pv-still-viable-despite-fears-experts-claim/46942.article

On May 15th, 2012 Phoenix Solar AG (Sulzemoos, Germany) released financial figures for the first quarter of 2012 and the full year 2011, reporting a 17% year-over-year increase in revenues to EUR 37.9 million (USD 48.3 million) a -2.9% operating margin, and net loss of EUR 1.2 million (USD 1.53 million) during the first quarter of 2012.

Phoenix Solar had delayed publishing its 2011 financial results while waiting for finalization of a new loan agreement. The company reported a 38% decline in revenues to EUR 393 million (USD 501 million), a -22% operating margin and net loss of EUR 86.4 million (USD 110 million) over the course of 2011.

“With the signing of our new syndicated loan agreement on 11th May, Phoenix Solar AG is now financed through to the end of March 2014,” states Phoenix Solar Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dr. Bernd Köhler. “Alongside the restructuring measures, we can now concentrate more fully again on our operations.”

Operating loss impacted by inventory write-downs

Both of Phoenix Solar’s business segments saw declining revenues in 2011, with Components Systems revenues falling 35%, and Power Plants revenues declining 43% over 2010. The company also notes that its 2011 operating loss of EUR 84.7 million (USD 108 million) was strongly impacted on write-downs on inventories due to falling PV module prices.

International business increases to 68% of 1Q 2012 revenues

The geographies of the markets that Phoenix Solar serves have shifted, with international business representing 57% of revenues in 2011, and 68% in the first quarter of 2012. An increasing portion of this revenue is coming from outside Europe, with these revenues totaling EUR 37.2 million (USD 47.4 million) in 2011.

Phoenix: Restructuring improves 1Q 2012 results

Phoenix Solar concluded negotiations on a new USD 170 million financing package on May 11th, 2012. This financing was determined on the basis of a restructuring plan, which included a 60% reduction in its German workforce.

The company states that the first signs of success from restructuring were reflected in its first quarter 2012 results.

 

 

2012-05-17 | Courtesy: Phoenix Solar | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

Our editorial selection of breaking solar news is published at:
www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/top-solar-news.html

 

Article source: http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2012/kw20/phoenix-solar-publishes-2011-results-margins-improve-in-1q-2012.html

Solar energy is a costly way of cutting carbon emissions. Photo: Reuters

VICTORIAN incentives for households to install rooftop solar panels would be slashed under a shake-up proposed by the state government’s productivity adviser.

In a draft review to be released today, the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) recommends energy companies largely being free to set the price paid to households for solar power they feed back into the electricity grid. If accepted by the government, the changes would follow most states in slashing prices paid for solar energy amid complaints they increase electricity prices for all consumers and are a costly way to cut carbon emissions.

The commission’s proposals have been attacked by clean energy and environment groups, but won backing from energy-intensive industry.

VCEC commissioner Deborah Cope said the proposed changes aimed to remove inefficiencies, hidden cross-subsidies and market distortions. “Overly generous subsidies are regressive as they increase energy prices for everyone, including renters and other consumers who do not have the capacity to invest in solar PV systems,” she said.

Households now get 25¢ for each kilowatt-hour of power they feed into the grid. The government cut the price from 60¢. The commission recommends closing the 25¢ feed-in tariff at the end of 2013, or when 75 megawatts of generation capacity is installed.

Energy retailers would then have to offer a minimum ”fair and reasonable price” up until the end of 2015.

That rate – in effect the wholesale electricity price – is estimated to be around 6 to 8¢ a kilowatt-hour.

The draft report also recommends measures to cut red tape for connecting rooftop solar and other small and medium-sized clean energy power schemes to the electricity grid, such as simplifying connection paperwork and speeding up connection time.

State Treasurer Kim Wells said the government believed in ”a fair reward” for feeding renewable and low emissions energy into the grid. ”We will await the commission’s final report in July before responding,” he said.

The Clean Energy Council’s policy manager, Darren Gladman, said the draft recommendation could mean consumers ended up missing out on as much as half the money they should be entitled to for their solar power. ”The Clean Energy Council has analysis to show that the fair and reasonable price for solar power is between 12 and 16¢ per kilowatt-hour,” he said. ”The VCEC draft report suggests a range of 6 to 8¢.”

The Energy Users Association of Australia’s executive director, Roman Domanski, said feed-in tariffs were a costly way to support renewables.

He said the commission’s proposals seemed on the face of it to be moving in the right direction because they were making inroads into inefficiencies in the system.

Opposition energy spokeswoman Lily D’Ambrosio said if the government’s report did not include a design for a gross feed-in tariff scheme, ”they will have broken a key election commitment”.

Article source: http://www.theage.com.au/environment/energy-smart/solar-panel-incentives-at-risk-20120517-1ytnt.html

1. Italy Set to Cut Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for Solar PV – Capacity Installation Growth will be Reduced.

The Italian government is geared up to cut the solar PV FiT to reduce the consumers’ power bills, with a backdrop of high solar PV installations of approximately 9 GW in 2011. The new FiT will be applicable soon for all sizes of solar PV project, if the new decree is approved in April 2012.

2. Thailand’s National Renewable Energies Development Plan 2008-2022 – A Roadmap for Developing Renewables in the Country.

The renewable energy development plan (REPD) is a 15 year policy framework promoting the use of renewable energy sources in the overall energy consumption of Thailand.

Scope

Its scope includes -

- Featured Articles: Analytical articles related to the impact of major policies on the renewable energy market.

- Italy Set to Cut Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for Solar PV – Capacity Installation Growth will be Reduced

- This includes analysis on steps Italy is considering for FiT cuts in the country and its impacts.

- Thailand’s National Renewable Energies Development Plan 2008-2022 – A Roadmap for Developing Renewables in the Country

- This includes the analysis on – how the role of renewable energy will increase in total energy supply under the national development plan.

Reasons to buy

- The Renewable Policy Analysis provides in depth study of the major renewable policy developments across the globe.

- It gives regulatory and other associated updates for the global renewable energy market which can help the individual/company to frame their business strategies while minimizing regulatory risks.

- It covers two featured articles “Italy Set to Cut Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for Solar PV – Capacity Installation Growth will be Reduced” and “Thailand’s National Renewable Energies Development Plan 2008-2022 – A Roadmap for Developing Renewables in the Country”.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Tables Figures

2 Renewable Policy Analysis – April, 2012

3 Renewable Policy Analysis – April, 2012

3.1 Italy Set to Cut Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for Solar PV – Capacity Installation Growth will be Reduced

3.1.1 Impact of FiT Cuts

3.1.2 The Government Rationale for the FiT Cuts

3.1.3 The Current Solar PV FiT in Italy

3.1.4 Italy Witnessed Remarkable Solar PV Growth under Conto Energia Program

3.2 Thailand’s National Renewable Energies Development Plan 2008-2022 – A Roadmap for Developing Renewables in the Country

3.2.1 Renewable Energy Development Plan, Thailand, Interim Targets by Phase, 2008-2022

3.2.2 Renewable Energy Development Plan, Thailand, Promotion Measures by Phase, 2008-2022

3.2.3 The Program Supporting the National Renewable Energies Development Plan

3.3 Key News Highlights – Key Renewable Policy News Alerts of the Month

3.3.1 Americas

3.3.2 Europe

3.3.3 Asia-Pacific

4 Appendix

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dvppnj/renewable_policy_a

Source: GlobalData

Article source: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/05/17/3952890/research-and-markets-renewable.html

CSAPR the unfriendly EPA rule

Control Solutions

CNG is key for Oklahoma’s Energy Future

Seizing the Opportunity

EPRI discusses implications of 316(b)

Obama pushes for Smart Grid

Article source: http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2012/05/satcon-to-supply-equipment-to-solar-pv-project-in-puerto-rico.html

Residents in Bristol are set to benefit from solar PV technology after a local co-operative announced plans to install free panels on homes across the city.

Bristol Power is planning to introduce the scheme on a trial basis in Lockleaze. Should it prove successful, the co-op intends to make free solar panels available throughout the city. This would provide residents with access to free renewable energy, whilst money generated by exporting surplus electricity to the National Grid would be retained by Bristol Power.

The ambitious project comes after the British Government reduced Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) from 43p per kWh to 21p per kWh. Solar subsidies are expected to fall to 16p later this year and further reductions ought to be anticipated as the manufacturing cost of solar panels decreases.

Bristol Power is not a private company, however, which means that it does not exist to generate profit. Whilst private firms have criticised the decision to cut solar subsidies because it lessens their profit margins, Bristol Power, as a co-op, can possibly afford to operate in the sector on less favourable commercial terms. Any profit generated by the organisation must be reinvested in the initiative.

Bristol Power’s David Saunders explained: “We want to offer people the opportunity to join an energy co-operative which would give them the chance of solar panels on their roof and much cheaper annual electricity bills”.

Mr Saunders added: “In Bristol, there is enough roof space for 700 megawatts of solar power. That’s the equivalent of a decent sized power station”.

Residents in Lockleaze are set to become the first people to benefit from the scheme. Participants need not pay anything towards the cost of solar panels, as these will be supplied and installed using co-op funds.

During the spring and summer months, households will be able to enjoy free solar electricity generated by the panels. There will be times when participants must purchase energy from suppliers, but savings generated when the sun does shine (even through light cloud) should still equate to more than £200 a year. This could be enough to lift some families out of fuel poverty, whilst alleviating the burden of many others.

Article source: http://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/blog/solar-pv-set-to-benefit-bristol-residents.html

Research paper shines light on competitiveness of solar PV power

Visit http://www.bnef.com for further information

New working paper argues that common perceptions about the lack of competitiveness of solar photovoltaic power are misleading and out-of-date

Submitted on 05/17/12, 07:07 AM

London and New York, 16 May 2012. Power generated from solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is much closer to competitiveness with conventional electricity generation than many policy-makers and commentators have realised, according to a new working paper on the subject, released by research company Bloomberg New Energy Finance today.

The paper, Reconsidering the Economics of Photovoltaic Power, looks at the implications of the sharpest falls in the prices of PV technology in recent memory. Average PV module prices have fallen by nearly 75% in the past three years, to the point where solar power is now competitive with daytime retail power prices in a number of countries. It also examines the metrics generally used to measure the economics of solar power against alternative power generating technologies, and finds they are often inadequate, and may introduce bias against the deployment of PV technology.

The authors’ aim is to inform policy-makers, utility decision-makers, investors and advisory services, in particular in high-growth developing countries, as they weigh the suite of power generation options available to them. The paper is being submitted for publication in the peer-reviewed literature.
Among the conclusions of the paper are:

• The shift in prices of solar technology carries major implications for policy and investment decision-makers, especially when it comes to the choice of generating technology and the design of tariff, fiscal and other support policies.
• Many observers and decision-makers have yet to catch up with the improvements in the economics of solar power that have resulted from recent PV technology cost and price reductions.
• Recent reductions in PV prices are likely to be sustainable. While overcapacity has caused severe pain for manufacturers, the price falls are primarily a reflection of reductions in manufacturing costs, not solely a reflection of stock liquidation and other short-run factors.
• Commonly used estimates for PV power’s competitiveness – including the concept of “grid parity” – are often misleading, given the complex realities of the electricity system.

The paper was written by 10 authors with exceptional insight into the economics of solar power. They are Morgan Bazilian and Ijeoma Onyemi of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization; Michael Liebreich and Jenny Chase of Bloomberg New Energy Finance; Ian MacGill of the University of New South Wales; Jigar Shah of KMR Infrastructure; Dolf Gielen of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IITC; Doug Arent of the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis; Doug Landfear of AGL Energy; and Shi Zhengrong of Suntech Power Holdings.

ABOUT BLOOMBERG NEW ENERGY FINANCE

Bloomberg New Energy Finance is the world’s leading independent provider of news, data, research and analysis to decision makers in renewable energy, energy smart technologies, carbon markets, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear power. Bloomberg New Energy Finance has a staff of 200, based in London, Washington D.C., New York, Tokyo, Beijing, New Delhi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town, São Paulo and Zurich.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance serves leading investors, corporates and governments around the world. Its Insight Services provide deep market analysis on wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal, carbon capture and storage, smart grid, energy efficiency, and nuclear power. The group also offers Insight Services for each of the major emerging carbon markets: European, Global Kyoto, Australia, and the U.S., where it covers the planned regional markets as well as potential federal initiatives and the voluntary carbon market. Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s Industry Intelligence Service provides access to the world’s most reliable and comprehensive database of investors and investments in clean energy and carbon. The News and Briefing Service is the leading global news service focusing on clean energy investment. The group also undertakes applied research on behalf of clients and runs senior level networking events.

New Energy Finance Limited was acquired by Bloomberg L.P. in December 2009, and its services and products are now owned and distributed by Bloomberg Finance L.P., except that Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries distribute these products in Argentina, Bermuda, China, India, Japan, and Korea. For more information on Bloomberg New Energy Finance: http://www.bnef.com.

ABOUT BLOOMBERG

Bloomberg is the world’s most trusted source of information for businesses and professionals. Bloomberg combines innovative technology with unmatched analytic, data, news, display and distribution capabilities, to deliver critical information via the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL® service and Multimedia platforms. Bloomberg’s media services cover the world with more than 2,300 news and Multimedia professionals at 146 bureaus in 72 countries. The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION® 24-hour network reaches more than 240 million homes. BLOOMBERG RADIO® services broadcast via Sirius XM Radio and 1worldspace™ satellite radio globally and on WBBR 1130AM in New York. BLOOMBERG MARKETS® magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek magazine and the BLOOMBERG.COM® Web site provide news and insight to business leaders and financial professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.bloomberg.com .

Article source: http://www.altenergymag.com/news/2012/05/17/research-paper-shines-light-on-competitiveness-of-solar-pv-power/24680

NRG 60 solar PV panels manufactured by Eclipsall in their Toronto, ON facility have been ranked first overall in operational tests carried out this past winter by the Kortright Centre for Conservation’s Photovoltaic Performance Verification Program.

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) May 17, 2012

NRG 60 solar PV panels manufactured by Eclipsall in their Toronto facility have been ranked first overall in operational tests carried out this past winter by the Kortright Centre for Conservation’s Photovoltaic Performance Verification Program.

Owned and operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Kortright Centre for Conservation is Ontario’s premier environmental and renewable energy education and demonstration centre. The public facility is located on 325 hectares of woodlands, northwest of Toronto.

The recent testing period started January 1st of 2012 and is ongoing.

Solar panels from five manufacturers were measured for the following: Module Power (per second), independent flash testing under Standard Test Conditions (STC), on-site total global insolation and plane of the array insolation data and on-site ambient and module temperature data.

Ambient temperatures during the testing period ranged from a low of -5.5 Celsius (22.1 F) to a high of 25.6 Celsius (78.08 F). Eclipsall panels performed exceedingly well in these winter conditions.

“We are pleased that our NRG 60 panels performed so well in this independent measurement program”, said Eclipsall CEO Les Lyster. “Our customers and consumers in general are interested in comparative data that demonstrates product effectiveness and this test provides it. Our entire manufacturing team at Eclipsall takes great pride in the solar panel products we are producing in Toronto.”

About Eclipsall

Eclipsall Energy Group is a vertically integrated solar company. Already established as a manufacturer of high performance 60 and 72 cell PV modules, the company has since added an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) division, Eclipsall Solar, as well as a project development and financing division, Eclipsall Development. The Eclipsall Energy Group has projects under development in North America, South America, Africa, India, and Europe.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9515609.htm

Article source: http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2012/05/17/eclipsall-solar-pv-panels-ranked-first-overall-performance-verification-program

London (Platts)–17May2012/723 am EDT/1123 GMT

The UK government may delay a second round of cuts to its solar PV
feed-in tariff subsidy scheme, UK energy secretary Ed Davey said in a House of
Commons meeting Thursday morning.

The decision to delay the July 1 start date of the next tariff regime
followed an industry backlash over its first round of cuts which halved the
rate from 43 pence/kWh to 21 p/kWh for units up to 4 kW in size. However
questions were raised over whether the delay was because the department
missed a deadline to inform the UK parliament of the next cut.

UK energy secretary Ed Davey told the House of Commons meeting that the
government was considering “tweaking the start date” of the next tariff cut
but that it would “not be a massive change.”

Davey denied claims that the government’s delay in implementing the
tariff cut was a result of incompetence over missing the due notice deadline.

Article continues below…

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It echoed a statement given by UK climate change minister Greg Barker
Wednesday evening via Twitter.

“Having listened carefully to industry we are looking at scope for
pushing back a little the proposed reduction in the solar tariff,” Barker
said.

The FITs scheme aims to subsidize investment in small scale renewables,
but was strongly criticized as tariff rates were prematurely cut late last
year following an “overwhelming” uptake amid falling technology costs.

This resulted in a prolonged legal dispute against DECC and increasing
industry uncertainty which critics argued would stifle the UK’s solar
industry.

But Davey denied assertions made within the meeting that the previous
“chaotic” cut to solar tariffs threatens to leave the UK’s solar industry
“strangled at birth”.

Around 6,000 people within the solar industry were made redundant since
last summer, while the number of solar PV installations in the UK during the
month of April plummeted to 2,380 solar PV panels, compared with around
39,900 in March prior to the cut.

Davey conceded that “there was a downturn in installation” following the
cut but added that installations are “already increasing” and over the 10
weeks since the tariff came into effect has returned to the rate of
installation seen in August last year.

“The solar industry is back in business,” Davey said.

–Jillian Ambrose, jillian_ambrose@platts.com
–Edited by Martin O’Rourke, martin_orourke@platts.com

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Article source: http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/8299694

Thursday, May 17, 2012

NANJING, China, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — ET Solar Group Corp. (“ET Solar”), one of the global leading solar PV one-stop solution providers, today announces completion of two ground-mounted PV power plants in Germany with total installed capacity of over 9.6MW.

The plants are both ground mounted and are 4MW and 5.6MW by size.

They are located in Oberröblingen, 100 kilometers west of Leipzig, and Rätzlingen, 100 kilometers from Hamburg respectively. ET Solutions AG, ET Solar’s wholly owned subsidiary, performed full engineering, procurement and construction tasks with all PV modules sourced from ET Solar’s China plant.

Mr. Dennis She, President and Chief Executive Officer of ET Solar, commented: “We are very pleased that our business relationship in the past three years has evolved so strongly and we look forward to further growing with Wattner with the solid track record we have built up.”

Mr. Guido Ingwer, Managing Partner of Wattner, added: “Our relationship with ET Solar in the past few years has been more than satisfactory and the firm has really proven to be an excellent partner that provides both strong EPC services. We look forward to working with ET Solar to develop more large scale PV projects in the future.”

About ET Solar

ET Solar is one of the global leading solar one-stop solution providers. With local sales and marketing subsidiaries and offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, ET Solar has provided solar modules, turnkey solutions services and PV balance of system components to its customers in over 50 countries. To learn more about ET Solar, visit http://www.etsolar.com.

Source: ET Solar

Article source: http://www.yourindustrynews.com/et+solar+announces+completion+of+9.6mw+of+pv+plants+in+germany_77778.html