Spain retroactively cuts feed-in tariffs, yet again

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:48 (Solarserver)

The government of Spain has again introduced retroactive cuts to the nation's feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, under the banner of “electricity market reform”. The nation's cabinet approved the package of measures on July 12th, 2013. Read more

Financing India's Small Hydro Capacity

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:35 (Renewable Energy World)

India's scope for hydropower development is vast. Close to 150 GW of theoretical potential exists in the country today, with an estimated 84 GW of economically exploitable capacity, according to figures from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Simultaneously, there is a large population of rural poor with no access to grid electricity, an existing peak load deficit estimate at around 10 percent and a rapidly growing economy — and with it an associated increase in power demand. Read more

APS tries to kill net metering for residential solar PV system owners

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 20:38 (Solarserver)

On July 12, 2013 utility Arizona Public Service Company (APS, Phoenix, Arizona, US) filed a request with the Arizona Corporation Commission to modify the rules for net metering for its residential electricity customers. Read more

Is Solar Cheaper than Grid Electricity? Yes and No

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 17:44 (Renewable Energy World)

The word "parity" is to the solar advocate as the word "abracadabra" is to the magician.  Through it, all things are possible.  But there's really two kinds of solar parity with electricity prices, and the difference is significant. Take this article from Renewable Energy World last month.  It claims that solar installations in New Mexico are at gr Read more

China Confirms Goal for 35 GW of Solar Capacity by 2015

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 16:32 (Renewable Energy World)

China, the world’s biggest maker of solar panels, plans to increase fivefold its installed solar capacity to more than 35 gigawatts by 2015 to support an industry faced with declining profits, slowing exports and a supply glut. Read more

600 Homes on NM’s Holloman Air Force Base Going Solar With SolarStrong

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:15 (Renewable Energy World)

SolarStrong strikes again — and it’s a good thing. SolarCity’s partnership with U.S. Renewables Group Renewable Finance and Bank of America Merrill Lynch to install solar on military housing units at bases across the country is making rapid progress this year. On July 3, it announced that it will install solar at more than 600 houses at New Mexico’ Read more

600 Homes on US Holloman Air Force Base Going Solar with SolarStrong

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:15 (Renewable Energy World)

SolarStrong strikes again — and it’s a good thing. SolarCity’s partnership with U.S. Renewables Group Renewable Finance and Bank of America Merrill Lynch to install solar on military housing units at bases across the country is making rapid progress this year. On July 3, it announced that it will install solar at more than 600 houses at New Mexico’ Read more

Investors Pair Up for Chilean Wind-Solar Projects

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:09 (Renewable Energy World)

In May of this year Chile exceeded 1 GW of installed capacity of renewable energy, and is on track to possibly achieve 1.3 GW by year’s end, according to the Centro de Energías Renovables (CER). More than half of that comes from biomass and nearly a third from hydro. Chile has a growing appetite for renewables, though, with roughly 10.5 GW of projects approved or under assessment. Read more

July SRECs: Falling prices in most states

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 14:54 (Solarserver)

SRECTrade (San Francisco, California, US) has released results of its July 2013 solar renewable energy credit (SREC) auction, reporting a fall in prices for the majority of SRECs traded. The auction closed on July 2nd, 2013. Read more

Voltalia connects first national tender solar plant

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 14:29 (PV-Tech)

European renewable energy producer Voltalia’s has connected itMW Le Castellet PV plant, said to be the first project to be grid-connected under France’s national solar tender scheme. Read more

Georgia votes for 525MW of new solar projects

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 13:55 (PV-Tech)

Georgia’s Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a new programme requiring local energy generator and distributor, Georgia Power, to build 525MW of new solar capacity in the state by 2016. Read more

Risen Energy and China General Nuclear Power Group plan 100MW of solar projects

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 13:46 (PV-Tech)

PV manufacturer Risen Energy and CGN Solar Energy Development have announced joint plans to develop 100MW of solar power projects in China. Read more

Downing funds 9MW solar installation in Lincolnshire

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 13:43 (Solarpowerportal)

London-based asset manager, Downing LLP, has recently funded a 9MW solar farm development in Lincolnshire. Read more

China to target 35GW of solar by 2015

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 12:35 (PV-Tech)

A target of 35GW of installed capacity for solar power generation by 2015 has been set in China. Read more

Lightsource purchases 12.5MW of projects from juwi Renewable Energies

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 12:15 (Solarpowerportal)

Lightsource Renewable Energy has expanded its operational portfolio after purchasing two solar farms from juwi Renewable Energies. Read more

India's MNRE to no longer accept applications for channel partners

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 11:28 (Solarserver)

On July 11th, 2013 India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced that it will no longer accept new applications for Indian solar companies to become channel partners under its Off-Grid and Decentralized Solar Applications program. MNRE states that current applications for channel partners will be processed by the end of July 2013, and existing partners will be eligible for renewal. This comes as MNRE reported a significant decline in the number of channel partners as of July 1st, 2013. Read more

One week left to enter the Solar Power Portal Awards

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 10:25 (Solarpowerportal)

There is just one week left to submit entries for the inaugural Solar Power Portal Awards. Read more

Solar thermal “breakthrough”: UK DECC publishes domestic RHI tariff levels

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 6:06 (Solarserver)

After more than two years of delays, the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published tariff levels for residential installations under the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The program will open in Spring 2014, but systems installed since July 2009 will be eligible to participate. Solar thermal installations will be paid at least GBP 0.192 (USD 0.290) per kWh, higher than ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers or air source heat pumps. The Solar Trade Association (Milton Keynes, UK) called the announcement a “breakthrough”. Read more

NRG Solar commissions 40 MW-AC of PV plants in California

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 6:02 (Solarserver)

NRG Solar LLC (Princeton, New Jersey, US) has commissioned two solar photovoltaic (PV) plants totaling 40 MW-AC in Southern California. The Kansas South and TA-High Desert have a capacity of 20 MW-AC each, and are located near Lancaster and in Kings County, respectively. NRG acquired the plants from Recurrent Energy LLC (San Francisco, California, US) earlier in 2013. Kansas South was commissioned in March 2013 and the TA-High Desert in June 2013. Read more

DOE Launches Geothermal Regulatory Roadmap

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:07 (Renewable Energy World)

In hopes of reducing one of the more costly and time consuming steps in geothermal project development, the U.S. Department of Energy issued its Geo- thermal Regulatory Roadmap to “help developers navigate regulatory requirements at every level of government.” The DOE charged the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with the task of rounding up key industry representatives and federal, state and local officials to pinpoint areas where development may be streamlined. Read more

Kingspan appoints new training manager for renewable courses

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:21 (Solarpowerportal)

Kingspan Environmental has appointed Simon Pattison to oversee its renewable energy training courses. Read more

The Cost of New Renewable Power Generation: Approaching Parity?

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 15:21 (Renewable Energy World)

Are renewable energy technologies really less competitive than non-renewables? And, given the recent uptake of renewables, is there still a business case for other forms of power generation? Read more

Spain announces €2.7 billion cuts to clean energy support

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 11:40 (PV-Tech)

The Spanish government has announced a series of cuts to renewable energy subsidies totalling €2.7 billion (US$3.5 billion) as part of widespread reforms to its energy policy. Read more

Spain's Energy Reform To Hit Renewables

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 11:34 (Renewable Energy World)

Spain has slashed profit for renewable energy companies and the electric grid operator, part of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s effort to eliminate a €4.5 billion deficit forecast this year for the industry. Read more

Further Spanish Energy Reform Could Mean "Nasty Revenue Cut" for Renewables

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 11:34 (Renewable Energy World)

Spain has again reformed feed-in tariffs for renewable energy installations, potentially hitting profits for renewable energy companies and the electric grid operator. The move is part of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s effort to eliminate a €4.5 billion deficit forecast this year for the industry. Read more

What Next for the EU’s Renewable Energy Targets?

Monday, 7.15.2013 - 10:03 (Renewable Energy World)

Europe has been working towards legally binding renewable energy 2020 targets instituted by the European Union (EU) 20-20-20 package since 2009. The EU is now proposing further renewable energy targets through to 2030. Read more