125 replies to this topic

[sunnysky]

Administration insiders said the Chinese government has been mulling new subsidy plans to fuel the industry, which are expected to come out soon, most likely this month or next.

 

The expected move may largely dispel concerns and boost confidence of PV power industry investors. China's current subsidy for distributed PV power generation is set at 0.42 yuan per kilowatt-hour.

 

The recent news seems to indicate that the 0.42 DG subsidy is not likely to be raised but I hope some other measures will come out. For one thing, we know financing has taken some big steps forward. More are likely to follow:

 

"Financial innovations are really important to better underpin the recovering solar power sector in China, and we are now working on it," said Sun Hao, senior investment officer of International Finance Corp Resident Mission in China.

 

And I like the ending paragraph:

 

"The road ahead is bumpy, and difficulties will continue popping up along the way. But we are confident that the problems will be solved one by one, clearing the road for the distributed solar power industry," said Wang of the NDRC Energy Research Institute.

[sunnysky]

Rooftops, Empty Lots Offer Japan Space for Solar Panels

http://www.renewable...r-solar-panels?

[JulyWebb]

China Opens up Infrastructure to Private Capital

http://www.financeas...te-capital.aspx

[sunnysky]

With the era of 'easy oil' coming to an end, is solar energy the only option left for the ME?

http://www.albawaba....energy--571696?

 

 

Driven by an energy-hungry population and unstable oil prices, countries in the Gulf and the wider MENA region are investing in various green energy options, with a focus on in solar energy.

 

The Middle East could see more than $50 billion investment in its solar power sector by 2020, according to report by Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA).

 

The report found that new renewable projects, providing around 37,000 megawatts (MW) of energy, are to be commissioned by the end of this decade. Solar energy projects are forecast to provide around 12,000MW to 15,000MW of power.

[odyd]

Looks like local governments have not learned the lesson, the backward production on the rise in China as the process of consolidation has been retarded

http://energy.people...1-24948645.html

They are going to dig another grave for themselves again. How is this central government unable to manage this condition is beyond me. At the same time the number of unpaid dollars in accounts payable had  double.

[BIPV Investor]

Looks like local governments have not learned the lesson, the backward production on the rise in China as the process of consolidation has been retarded

http://energy.people...1-24948645.html

They are going to dig another grave for themselves again. How is this central government unable to manage this condition is beyond me. At the same time the number of unpaid dollars in accounts payable had  double.

 

Think that is what I've been saying for months. This board gave China the benefit of the doubt, while the market did not. 

[odyd]

I was saying that consolidation is too slow, for a long time. I am not happy with central government playing soft only small volume, high cost operations. At the same time, unlike you, I see no impact to business for T1s. I believe that the global market is secured for the small group.

[BIPV Investor]

If global demand this year is in the range of 45-50GW and the planed tier 1 expansions happen by acquisition and not via new manufacturing capacity, yes it won't really mater what happens with the smaller names as the global capacity/demand will be rather balanced. However, if demand comes in soft and expansion plans start happening by adding new equipment, I think oversupply is a serious concern. 

 

Solar stocks tend to need rather smooth sailing- both in terms of overall market and solar fundamentals- for them to make any progress. Investors are going to be waiting for clear signs that solar capacity/demand is truly balanced and not looking to give the industry the benefit of the doubt. I would love them to climb a wall of worry, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[sunnysky]

 

I was saying that consolidation is too slow, for a long time. I am not happy with central government playing soft only small volume, high cost operations. At the same time, unlike you, I see no impact to business for T1s. I believe that the global market is secured for the small group.  

 

Yes, agreed. It is frustrating to see some inferior players are back in production due to the recent upturn in demand but it takes time for the industry to consolidate, especially in China. As the plant sales market develops, more and more emphasis is placed on establishing standards in PV products both in manufacturing and in testing to ensure the performance and longevity of plants. We've seen many evidences that tier-1s are gaining more ground, probably not as fast as one would hope but it is surely happening. The inferior players eventually will get pushed out since they can no longer compete on low price alone.

[sunnysky]

More than 120 large-scale UK solar plants in the pipeline

http://www.solarpowe...n=news-rss-feed

 

 

More than 120 new large-scale ground-mounted solar power plants could be developed in the UK before the end of April 2015, according to market research analyst NPD Solarbuzz.

 

The group’s latest UK Deal Tracker report shows that there are currently 124 approved large-scale plants awaiting installation.

 

Many of these will be targeting connection before support under the Renewable Obligation scheme falls in April 2015.

[sunnysky]

Russia to invest $4.2 billion in solar sector by 2020

http://www.pv-magazi.../#axzz30FGEHfN7

[sunnysky]

FiT launch gets Algeria’s large-scale PV plan underway

http://www.pv-tech.o...gn=newsnow-feed

 

 

Algeria has launched a feed-in tariff (FiT) for large-scale PV power plants to support its goal of building 800MW of solar capacity by 2020.

 

The North African country will offer two different FiT rates – one for plants of between 1 and 5MW, another for over 5MW.

 

The FiTs will be available under 20-year power purchase agreements, although different rates will be paid for the final 15 years of the agreement. A limit has been set on the number of generating hours eligible for FiT payments.

[sunnysky]

Concerns escalate over fresh solar subsidy reforms

Imminent review of solar support schemes expected to tilt market in favour of large rooftop installations, but move fuels fears among solar farm developers

 

http://www.businessg...ubsidy-reforms?

[sunnysky]

DECC: UK public reaffirms strong support for renewable energy

http://www.solarpowe...n=news-rss-feed

 

 

The UK public has shown consistent support for renewable energy in the third of a series of opinion surveys published by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

 

According to the third in DECC’s series of opinion tracking polls, 80% of survey respondents said they supported the idea of UK electricity, heat and fuel being supplied from renewable sources.

 

The support is unwavering, down only slightly from 82% last year and higher than the 79% support in 2012.

 

The survey also revealed 59% of respondents were happy to have a large-scale renewable energy development in their local area. Last year’s survey reported 56% in support and 55% the year before.

[JMK]

 

Concerns escalate over fresh solar subsidy reforms

Imminent review of solar support schemes expected to tilt market in favour of large rooftop installations, but move fuels fears among solar farm developers

 

http://www.businessg...ubsidy-reforms?

 

Actually rooftop installation is the most benefitial type of PV solar distrubution.

1. There are a lot of "free" space already connected to grid.

2. You do not need to create a special infrastructure such as roads, cables, security, etc.

3. Customers immediately carry a portion of expenses 

A rough assessment tells that if in a city like Toronto or Chickago 50% of roof square are used for PV panels all residential needs in electrical power will be covered. If advanced based on nano technology ion-lithinum batteries will hit the market (with triple capacity compared to current one) almost every houselhold can become energy intependent. I'm almost certain that oil/gas/coal mafia won't let it happen in a fast manner.   

[sunnysky]

The transition of focus from solar farms to rooftops is good for UK. The concerns come from the installers who build solar farms, especially those projects already in the pipeline. It's not about the argument which one is better.

[amdee]

India may not impose anti-dumping duty on solar power gear imports 
 

Read more at:
http://economictimes..._campaign=cppst

[sunnysky]

Great news. India cannot really claim others are dumping just because its own industry is not good, large, and mature enough to compete on the quality and cost equation, especially considering its low labor cost. 

[sunnysky]

The first mega plant built in China through internet crowdfunding:

 

 

The next one is likely to be kicked off in Shanghai between May and July with more to come in other parts of the country.

 

http://solar.ofweek....-28803093.html 

[sunnysky]

TBDG Q1 result met expectations. Net income increased by 31%, mainly driven by poly sales. Even after adjusting depreciation upwards, 2014 gross margin is guided to reach 32% for poly. The combined GM for the company  is to be around 16.3%.

 

http://solar.ofweek....2-28803059.html