Student organization advocates for UW to switch to renewable electricity

A pledge to implement 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 at UW-Madison could be on the table after The Climate Reality Project recently opened a new branch on campus.
Founded by former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Laureate Al Gore, The Climate Reality Project is a worldwide organization dedicated to mobilizing action for climate change. The organization’s goal is to “spread the truth about the climate crisis and building popular support for clean energy solutions,” according to their mission statement.
The Climate Reality Campus Corps at UW-Madison has been focusing on “raising a lot of student awareness and support, and faculty support for the 100% Committed campaign,” according to Mary Pierce, a member of the group. The organization has had success at smaller universities, but bringing the cause to UW-Madison is part of their goal of spreading awareness on a larger scale.
“Especially because we are part of the Big Ten, we should be a leader, not a follower, for this cause,” Lydia Stiegman, also a member of the group, said. “If a campus like ours can sign on to this, we can help other campuses become a part of this too.”
UW-Stevens Point, Colorado State University and Hampshire College in Massachusetts are among those that already took the pledge to have their universities operate on 100 percent renewable electricity.
Members of the UW-Madison chapter have been petitioning at dining halls and elsewhere on campus to raise awareness for the campaign. Other student volunteers have been working on gaining endorsements from faculty and other student organizations.
The club is working to get signatures on a petition to bring to Chancellor Rebecca Blank.
“We want to show that there are thousands of students here who want an environmentally conscious campus,” Pierce said.
source: http://www.dailycardinal.com

Tesla’s Kauai solar facility will offset 1.6M gallons of fuel use per year

 

Tesla’s Kauai solar power facility is officially open for business as of Friday, with a 13 MW SolarCity solar farm installation providing power to a Powerpack storage facility with 52 MWh of total capacity. The beauty of the new facility, in terms of the specific needs of the sun-soaked island in the Pacific, is that it can capture energy from the sun during peak daytime production hours, and then keep that power ready for peak consumption hours at night.
This is a relatively new reality for solar power generation, made possible by Tesla’s Powerpack tech, which is essentially the commercial version of its Powerwall home storage batteries. Hawaii is already a big solar power consumer, which makes sense for the same reason it makes sense that the state is such a draw to tourists, too. But Tesla’s initiative is the first to answer the problem of peak production time overlapping almost exactly with times where need for power is at its lowest.
Tesla’s new solar facility in Kauai isn’t going to completely reduce its dependence on fossil fuels — the island will still rely on diesel shipped in to provide some of its power requirements. But the new facility will offset some of that use of dirty burning fuel, reducing overall usage of fossil fuels for power needs by around 1.6 million gallons per year.
The new energy project was developed by Tesla for the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, and it’s the biggest solar storage facility in the world, according to KIUC president and CEO David Bissell. It occupies a field that was once used to grow sugarcane. The project is a key part of Hawaii’s goal of using 100 percent renewable energy by 2045, and for Tesla, it’s the perfect way to demonstrate how it can deploy these kinds of facilities to fit similar needs around the world

 

KIUC’s Tesla solar plant uses Powerpack 2, Tesla’s second-generation commercial storage, which is made at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada. The project began with an RFP issued by KIUC in 2014, which led to a year of discussions between itself, Tesla and Grove Farms, which owns the land upon which it’s built. In 2016, the companies struck a deal and Solar City brought Tesla in as its storage supplier — then later that same year, Tesla acquired the solar energy provider.
Tesla’s hoping that the example of what it’s done in Kauai will act as a roadmap for what it can do for other commercial energy providers around the world. It’s also a key proof point for why it made sense to tie up Tesla and SolarCity via their merger last year.
Tesla CTO JB Straubel said that the unique aspect, and the most important, with this facility is that it’s the first time that a solar facility can deliver really reliable power delivery 24 hours a day, and operate when it’s needed most. It’s also a necessary step toward achieving 100 percent renewable energy sourcing, he says, since without the ability to defer power delivery the most you can ever hope for is 20 to 30 percent. He added that it’s a sign that they’re ready to truly deliver fully scalable facilities to suit the increasing size of demand across markets.
It can easily scale the other way, too, according to Straubel. He said at the launch that they’re seeing more customers who are looking to Powerpack for single-site energy backup, and also highlighted Powerwall, which offers the same to residential customers.
Straubel also stressed that Tesla wants to provide an “integrated, collaborative approach” to energy production and supply along with utilities, rather than espousing an “either/or approach,” which is a very sensible stance to take when you’re presenting alongside a utility company partner and client.
Hawaii governor David Ige also spoke at the event, highlighting the Hawaiian people’s commitment to renewable energy sources, which he says they see clearly “are the future.” He added that “storage is the challenge” for the state, despite abundance of renewable sources, including geothermal, solar and more. “The challenge is making energy available when the consumer needs it,” Ige said, which is why the project is something that the state found so attractive.
Ige said that he truly believes companies like Tesla who are willing to raise and invest funds in the task of making renewable energy affordable for everyday consumers are the way forward in achieving the state’s 100 percent renewable power goals
source: https://techcrunch.com

Tesla built a huge solar energy plant on the island of Kauai

Islands in the Pacific Ocean are some of the most practical places to install solar panels. Since there’s no natural gas pipeline or rail line to haul in coal, islands like Kauai in Hawaii have traditionally generated electricity by shipping in many barrels of diesel fuel.

These days, because so many residences and businesses have installed solar power, there’s a greatly reduced need to burn fossil during the day — but at night, the generators kick in. Tesla wants to change all that, with a massive new solar farm and energy storage project on the island.

Much of renewable energy generation is intermittent: wind and solar power generation peaks are often around times of low demand. So Tesla (which changed its name from Tesla Motors last year largely because of projects like this) offers the Powerpack, a massive battery that can store electricity during the day when supply is abundant, and discharge it when demand goes up after the sun goes down.

The Kauai project consists of a 52 megawatt-hour battery installation plus a 13 megawatt SolarCity solar farm. Tesla and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, the power company that ordered the project, believe the project will reduce fossil fuel usage by 1.6 million gallons per year.

Like with the solar/battery microgrid installed on the island of Ta’u in American Samoa last year, the KIUC project uses Tesla’s Powerpack 2 battery system, built at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Nevada.

Tesla is now in the business of selling electricity

KIUC didn’t purchase the solar panels and battery system from Tesla outright. Instead, the utility contracted with Tesla to purchase electricity. There’s a 20-year contract in place to buy the solar-generated power for 13.9 cents per kilowatt hour — in effect, Tesla is now in the power generation business.

It’s the first major solar-plus-storage project for Tesla since its $2.6 billion acquisition of SolarCity last year, and Tesla said in a statement that it “will work with energy providers around the world seeking to overcome barriers in the way of building a sustainable, renewable energy grid of their own.”

Stationary storage is "something I think will probably be as big as the car business long term," Tesla CEO Elon Musk said during a tour of the Gigafactory last year. "And will actually have a growth rate probably several times that of what the car business is per year. The growth in stationary storage is really under appreciated. That’s a super-exponential growth rate."

Earlier this year, Tesla opened a massive energy storage facility in Ontario, California that was designed to reduce the need for “peaker plants,” or pricey electricity generators that only run when demand is particularly high. Use of Tesla’s Powerpacks both as replacements for peaker plants and to time-shift renewable power generation appears to be growing in popularity, and the company has a number of projects underway at the commercial, industrial, and utility levels.

Tesla also offers a residential power-storage solution called Powerwall that uses the same technology as Powerpack. In fact, a Powerpack is simply 16 Powerwall battery pods encased in a weatherproof box.

source: http://www.theverge.com

Hawaiian island gets a huge renewable energy boost thanks to Tesla

Hawaiian island gets a huge renewable energy boost thanks to Tesla Batteries could also help utilities to harness the collective power of thousands of rooftop solar systems. Across the Hawaiian islands, utilities are required to get 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2045 — the most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard of any U.S.

The Long: Perhaps most importantly, it includes over 270 of Tesla's Powerpack batteries, which will store some of the solar power created during the day and supply those electrons to the grid in the evening. Batteries could also help utilities to harness the collective power of thousands of rooftop solar systems. With "virtual power plants," utilities can digitally aggregate solar-battery systems in an area to utilize their power all at once, simulating the flow from a singular power plant. Across the Hawaiian islands, utilities are required to get 100 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2045 — the most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standard of any U.S. The Kapaia project will allow the utility to operate at 100 percent renewables more often, and with greater stability, in the middle of the day, Tesla said.

source: http://linkwaylive.com

Agreement reached to explore adding 2 MW of hydropower at New York’s Rockbottom Dam

The Mayor of Binghamton, N.Y., and Gravity Renewables are exploring feasibility and designs for adding a 2-MW hydroelectric powerhouse to Rockbottom Dam on the Susquehanna River.
According to a press release from Gravity Renewables, Mayor David will enter into an agreement with the company that will involve feasibility and designs for a 2-MW powerhouse
“Rockbottom Dam has long been an important part of our City’s water infrastructure,” said Mayor Richard C. David. “For decades, people have talked about the concept of hydropower at Rockbottom Dam, but were never able to initiate a plan, let alone complete a project. That changes today. I’ve always believed Rockbottom could do more for the City. We’re harnessing the power of our rivers and investing in renewable energy. Binghamton is fast becoming a national leader utilizing new technology to embrace clean energy and smart green development.”
Rockbottom Dam was built in 1828 to power a gristmill, and the city purchased the dam in 1931 to provide consistent water levels so the city’s water treatment facility could draw water from the river. The dam is 9 feet tall and spans 460 feet across the river.
Gravity Renewables received a preliminary permit for the site from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in December 2015.
The city would use the electricity produced by the facility and estimates about $8 million in energy savings over 20 years.
Gravity Renewables owns 10 hydroelectric plants, five of them in New York. The company has more than 40 MW of hydropower operating and under development across the U.S.
source:http://www.hydroworld.com

Solar Energy Station to Power Hawaiian Island

 
One of Hawaii's islands may soon be powered by solar energy, at least during the night.
In the biggest project since it acquired the solar cell giant SolarCity, the Tesla company will build a 13-megawatt solar farm on the island of Kauai, covering more than 44 acres (18 hectares). The solar cells will charge a 53-megawatt hour battery station able to provide most of the island's power at night.
The batteries, called Powerpacks, will be built by Tesla's new Gigafactory.
Right now, Kauai residents are paying very high prices for energy, so the plan is to gradually transition to renewable sources, including wind and biomass.
Kauai plans to generate 70 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030 and to completely wean itself from fossil-generated electricity by 2045.
Tesla says that once it's in full production, the Kauai solar energy plant will lower the fossil fuel burn by over 6,000 metric tons a year.
source: http://www.voanews.com/

FG to power 9 universities with solar energy

THE Federal Government on Thursday stated that it would power nine tertiary institutions with solar energy in line with the Nigeria’s nationally intended contributions to the reduction of carbon emissions in line with global best practices.
Minister of State for Environment, Mr Ibrahim Usman Jibril, announced this during his working visit to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Solar Energy Ltd (NSEL) Plant located in Karshi, Abuja.
This step, according to him, was part of government`s efforts to ensure a clean and healthy environment.
He maintained that the issue of solar energy would encourage the use of local content which would in turn help the country to save foreign exchange as well as create employment for the teeming youths.
Conducting the minister on the facility tour of the plant, the Executive Vice Chairman, NASENI Solar Energy Ltd, Professor Mohammed Sanni Haruna noted that the plant was the first Solar PV Module/Solar Panel manufacturing company in Nigeria.
He also revealed that the Plant has a 7.5mw capacity and it could produce all sizes and capacities of Solar PV module.
Professor Haruna explained that it was established by the Federal Government to primarily reduce cost of quality solar panel by producing solar panels that were 100 per cent made in Nigeria.
He further said company’s products could compete favourably with any imported solar panel in Nigeria.
source: http://tribuneonlineng.com

SolarPower Europe elects new president and 10 new board directors

 

Following the Board elections of SolarPower Europe (Brussels) on March 8^th, 2017 Dr. Christian Westermeier, Vice President of Sales, Marketing & Application Engineering of Wacker Chemie AG, has been elected as the new President, replacing the outgoing Oliver Schaefer of SunPower.

“President Westermeier is a perfect choice to continue the work of the association following the last 3 years of re-invigoration and animation of the association,” comments James Watson, CEO of SolarPower Europe.

“It is an honour to lead the Board of the association at this crucial time for solar, I will make building a new framework for solar in the post 2020 period the key objective for us at this stage,” added President Westermeier.

“We will also continue our efforts to finally get rid of the unnecessary trade tariffs on solar panels and will work with the Commission to build an industrial strategy for solar in Europe.”

The New Directors of the Board are: 1st Vice President: Riccardo Amoroso, Enel Green Power 2nd Vice President: Jodie Roussell, Trina Solar (Schweiz) AG 3rd Vice President: Jochen Hauff, BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH Director: Seb Berry, Solarcentury Stefan Degener, First Solar Gmbh Jean-Pascal Pham-Ba, Engie Solar Alison Finch, Huawei Technologies Arnaud Chaperon, Total Patrick Monino, ENI SpA Alexander Peter Naujoks, SMA Solar Technology AG. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

GCL-SI completes the biggest commercial rooftop solar PV project in Tlalim, Southern Israel

 

Solar energy company GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. (GCL-SI, Suzhou, China) completed a 200 kW commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project on Feb 14th, 2017 with Israeli energy company Enerpoint. This project is the biggest commercial rooftop solar project in Tlalim so far, GCL-SI emphasizes.

In this project, GCL-SI provided the solar PV modules, while Enerpoint was responsible for the installation and will help maintain the entire PV system's operation in the future.

This latest commercial project is a crucial step for GCL-SI as it aims to continue expanding its global footprint, particularly in middle-east region, the company notes. Previously, GCL-SI already had initiatives in Vietnam, Mexico and India. 

source:http://www.solarserver.com

 

Chemists create molecular 'leaf' that collects and stores solar power without solar panels

The new molecule employs a nanographene complex (on left) to absorb light and drive the conversion of carbon dioxide (upper center) to carbon monoxide (on right). Image courtesy Ben Noffke and Richard Schaugaard, Indiana University.

An international team of scientists led by Liang-shi Li at Indiana University has achieved a new milestone in the quest to recycle carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere into carbon-neutral fuels and others materials.
The chemists have engineered a molecule that uses light or electricity to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide - a carbon-neutral fuel source - more efficiently than any other method of "carbon reduction." The process is reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
"If you can create an efficient enough molecule for this reaction, it will produce energy that is free and storable in the form of fuels," said Li, associate professor in the IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Chemistry. "This study is a major leap in that direction."
Burning fuel - such as carbon monoxide - produces carbon dioxide and releases energy. Turning carbon dioxide back into fuel requires at least the same amount of energy. A major goal among scientists has been decreasing the excess energy needed.
This is exactly what Li's molecule achieves: requiring the least amount of energy reported thus far to drive the formation of carbon monoxide. The molecule - a nanographene-rhenium complex connected via an organic compound known as bipyridine - triggers a highly efficient reaction that converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide.
The ability to efficiently and exclusively create carbon monoxide is significant due to the molecule's versatility.
"Carbon monoxide is an important raw material in a lot of industrial processes," Li said. "It's also a way to store energy as a carbon-neutral fuel since you're not putting any more carbon back into the atmosphere than you already removed. You're simply re-releasing the solar power you used to make it."
The secret to the molecule's efficiency is nanographene - a nanometer-scale piece of graphite, a common form of carbon (i.e. the black "lead" in pencils) - because the material's dark color absorbs a large amount of sunlight.
Li said that bipyridine-metal complexes have long been studied to reduce carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide with sunlight. But these molecules can use only a tiny sliver of the light in sunlight, primarily in the ultraviolet range, which is invisible to the naked eye. In contrast, the molecule developed at IU takes advantage of the light-absorbing power of nanographene to create a reaction that uses sunlight in the wavelength up to 600 nanometers - a large portion of the visible light spectrum.
Essentially, Li said, the molecule acts as a two-part system: a nanographene "energy collector" that absorbs energy from sunlight and an atomic rhenium "engine" that produces carbon monoxide. The energy collector drives a flow of electrons to the rhenium atom, which repeatedly binds and converts the normally stable carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide.
The idea to link nanographene to the metal arose from Li's earlier efforts to create a more efficient solar cell with the carbon-based material. "We asked ourselves: Could we cut out the middle man - solar cells - and use the light-absorbing quality of nanographene alone to drive the reaction?" he said.
Next, Li plans to make the molecule more powerful, including making it last longer and survive in a non-liquid form, since solid catalysts are easier to use in the real world. He is also working to replace the rhenium atom in the molecule - a rare element - with manganese, a more common and less expensive metal.
source: http://www.solardaily.com

Solar PV developer ReneSola announces plans to construct over 550 MW in 2017

Fully-integrated solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer ReneSola Ltd (Shanghai, China) on March 8^th, 2016 provided an updated outlook for its project business.

According to the company, ReneSola currently has approximately 335 MW of PV projects that are under construction and plans to construct over 550 MW in 2017.

During the construction phase, the projects will be financed by construction loans and also funded by the payment installments from the buyers.

In the U.S., the Company plans to construct 108 MW of PV projects in 2017, of which 70 MW are community solar projects. The projects are located in California, North Carolina and Minnesota.

In the U.K., the Company intends to construct approximately 14 MW of projects this year, of which 10 MW are under the 1.2 Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) program and expected to be connected to the grid in March 2017.

In January 2017, the Company won 13 solar utility projects in southern Poland, each with an installed capacity of 1 MW. The projects are eligible for a guaranteed tariff of PLN 408.8/MWh under a 15-year power purchase agreement and are expected to be connected to the grid by December 2017.

In Canada, the Company plans to construct approximately 9 MW of small-scale utility projects under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) 3.0 in the current calendar year.

In Turkey, the Company intends to construct 13 MW of projects this year. All of the projects are unlicensed, thus qualifying for the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) of $134/Mwh.

As of January 31st, 2017, the Company had over 393 MW of solar rooftop PV projects in "shovel-ready" stage in China. All of the projects have been filed with National Development and Reform Commission, and the Company has obtained legal rights to develop these projects. The projects are located in Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, Hubei, Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Fujian and Guangdong Provinces. The Company plans to commence construction of all of these projects within the current calendar year. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

New study: Iran and Middle East could adopt 100 % renewable electricity systems

According to a new study, Iran can transition to a fully renewable electricity system and financially benefit from it by 2030.

Researchers at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) show that major oil-producing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region could turn their abundant renewable energy resources into lucrative business opportunities in less than two decades.

According to the study, a fully renewable electricity system (100% RE) is roughly 50-60 percent cheaper than other emission-free energy options for the MENA region.

For example, new nuclear power costs around EUR 110 per megawatt hour. Fossil-CCS option costs around EUR 120 per megawatt hour. But the cost of the fully renewable energy electricity is around EUR 60 - 40 per megawatt hour, based on financial and technical assumptions of the year 2030.

The cost of wind and solar electricity would reduce further to EUR 37 - 55 per megawatt hour if different energy resources were connected with a super grid that allows the transmission of high volumes of electricity across longer distances, the study finds.

For Iran, the price could go as low as EUR 40 - 45 per megawatt hour. Such low costs show that the transition of the current fossil-based electricity system towards a fully renewable electricity system can cover all electricity needs in the decades to come.

“The low cost renewable electricity system is a driver for growing standards of living, continued economic growth, in particular also for energy intensive products, and finally more peace,” emphasizes Professor Christian Breyer.

Transforming the electricity system fully to renewables for Iran requires 49 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaics (PV), 77 GW of wind power and 21 GW of hydropower.

Most of the hydropower already exists, but the solar and wind capacities would require new investments. Wind power can be installed in many parts of the country and solar PV systems in all parts of Iran for an attractive cost.

Both technologies can be easily added to the existing energy infrastructure, which is mainly based on flexible fossil natural gas fired power plants plus hydropower.

“The picture that emerges from that study is that the fossil fuel industry can transform its business to meet the COP21 target of a net zero emission energy system. This requires fundamental change in how we think carbon, but it could potentially open major new business opportunities,” says Breyer.

The results were published at the 11th International Energy Conference held in Tehran, Iran, and presented during COP22 in Marrakech to official representatives of the MENA region.

The study was done as part of the Neo-Carbon Energy research, which is funded by the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, Tekes, and is carried out in cooperation with Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. and University of Turku, Finland Futures Research Centre. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

drop in emissions in Australia, study shows

 
A sharp drop in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions at the end of last year came courtesy of a spike in renewable energy generation in a single month, according to a new study.
Australia’s emissions fell by 3.57m tonnes in the three months to December, putting them back on track to meet quarterly commitments made in Paris after a blowout the previous quarter.
The fall is the largest for the quarter since the government began recording emissions in 2001. The report’s authors said this was entirely due to record levels of hydro and wind generation in October. This brought emissions for the year to December to below the year to December 2015.
But projected emissions for the December quarter were still 6.89m tonnes over levels demanded by scientifically based targets set by the government’s Climate Change Authority.
And, long term, the results show Australia is set to run more than 300m tonnes over what is required to meet its Paris targets in 2030.

How is Australia tracking

The analysis was produced by Ndevr Environmental, which analyses data for all Australia’s major emissions sources and compares the results with the government’s commitments made in Paris and the cuts recommended by the Climate Change Authority.
It aims to produce a more timely account than the government’s, which is six to nine months behind.
In the four years to December 2016, Australia emitted 20.7% of its share of what the world can emit between 2013 and 2050 if it intends to maintain a good chance of keeping warming to below 2C.
If Australia continues to emit carbon pollution at the average rate of the past year, it will spend its entire carbon budget by December 2031. Projected to the current second, the graphic shows how much of the carbon budget has been spent.
Matt Drum, the managing director of Ndevr Environmental, said the figures showed renewable energy was “the only thing that’s keeping us in the ballgame” of meeting climate commitments.

Australia's carbon clock

Wind power supplied 6.4% of all national electricity market generation in October. The contribution of hydro electricity was “due in big part to all the rainfall around the Snowy mountains catchment area in NSW, which saw NSW emissions intensity figures drop significantly”, Drum said.
With the electricity sector the largest and most variable factor in Australia’s emissions, these October spikes in renewables were alone enough to drive the quarter “under the trajectory we need for Paris”, he said.

where the emissions come from

But Drum said this was likely an aberration, with the return to power sector reliance on black coal, particularly for NSW, set to push the trajectory up again over a summer with record temperatures across the east coast.
“We’re still churning through our carbon budget pretty quickly and, if you run a trend line from when we made our Paris commitment, we’re still way over and getting further and further behind,” Drum said.
He said renewable energy was the single key factor driving down Australia’s emissions profile, ironically at a time when the sector was under attack from the federal government.

Big Australian banks invest $7bn more in fossil fuels than renewables, says report

Coalition government figures have sought to blame renewables for blackouts in South Australia, despite others pointing to energy market failures.
Government figures including the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, have attacked more ambitious state renewables targets as unfeasible and talked up the benefits of new coal-fired power stations and channelling “clean energy” funding towards them.
Drum said the government was “undermining the only policy lever that’s having any impact on our emissions trajectory”.
“The only thing that’s keeping us in the ballgame at all is our renewable energy generation,” he said. “This makes sense when there’s no other feasible carbon policy on the table at the moment. ERF [the emissions reduction fund] isn’t doing it. Direct Action more broadly isn’t going anywhere near it …
“But if they want to peel back renewables, there’s nothing left.”
An independent review of the state of Australia’s environment released on Monday found the impacts of climate change were increasing and some could be irreversible.
The environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, in a column for Guardian Australia, said the report “makes clear that, for the world to meet its Paris goals, there is much more to do”. He noted carbon emissions per capita had declined from 24.1 tonnes in 2011 to 22.2 tonnes in 2015.
But the report showed Australia needed to “put in place a coordinated, comprehensive, well-resourced, long-term response” or risk leaving “a legacy to future generations that is inferior to the one we have inherited”, Frydenberg said.
Late last year the government began a review of its Direct Action climate policy, which has been widely criticised by experts as inadequate if Australia is to meet its Paris targets.

Great Barrier Reef could face another big coral bleaching event this year

Shortly afterwards Frydenberg was forced to rule out converting Direct Action to a form of carbon trading after an internal Coalition revolt. Many experts and institutional investors argue carbon trading would allow Australia to cut emissions in line with Paris commitments at the least cost to households and businesses.
The carbon budget recommended by the Climate Change Authority, which it described as “equitable and feasible”, was never agreed to by the government but represents the authority’s view of Australia’s fair share if global warming is to be kept under 2C.
Direct Action is the federal government’s primary carbon reduction tool, which pays polluters to pollute less through a reverse auction – the emissions reduction fund.
There is no evidence the emissions bought through that fund, now largely spent, reduce overall emissions and many of the emissions the government pays to avoid are unlikely to have occurred anyway.
source: https://www.theguardian.com

Stuart to leave Scots Renewables

Chief executive will step down in August to set up consultancy

 

Scottish Renewables chief executive Niall Stuart is to step down in August to set up a consultancy focused on strategic communications, policy development and regulatory affairs.

Scottish Renewables chairman Patricia Hawthorn said the directors would start the process to identify a replacement in the coming weeks.5

She said: “Niall has led our staff team during an incredibly important time for our sector, and played a leading role in our work to deliver ever-more ambitious targets for the industry – and the policies to deliver these.”

Stuart (pictured), who has been in post since September 2009, said: “I have greatly enjoyed my time with Scottish Renewables, and it is clear that we have all achieved a huge amount over the last seven years.
“We have grown our sector to become the country’s main source of electricity – more than doubling capacity since 2009 – and recently secured government support for a new renewable energy target for 2030.”
source: http://renews.biz

GTM: US solar market poised to triple in next five years

Following its biggest ever year in 2016, the cumulative US solar market is expected to nearly triple in size over the next five years, according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) latest report.
As PV Tech previously reported, the US solar market nearly doubled its previous record last year, installing more than 14GW of solar PV.
For the first time ever, solar ranked as the number one source of new electric generating capacity brought online on an annual basis, representing 39%. On average, a new megawatt of solar PV came online every 36 minutes in 2016 and this momentum is set to continue.
Despite a slight dip expected in installed capacity this year, the market is still forecast to install an impressive 13.2GW of solar PV in 2017, a 10% drop from last year, but still 75% more than was installed in 2015. The dip will solely occur in the utility-scale segment; in response to an unprecedented number of utility-scale projects coming online in the latter half of 2016 in the aftermath of the ITC extension rush. This segment is expected to rebound by 2019 however, with year-over-year growth across the board.
“Though utility PV will reset from an origination perspective starting in 2017-2018, distributed solar is largely expected to continue to grow over the next few years due to rapid system cost declines and a growing number of states reaching grid parity," said Cory Honeyman, associate director of GTM Research. "That said, ongoing NEM and rate design battles - in conjunction with a declining incentive environment for non-residential PV - will continue to present risks to distributed solar growth."

US PV Installations, 2010-2022E (MWdc). Source: GTM Research / SEIA U.S. Solar Market Insight report

The market will nevertheless be riding on the success of last year, that saw an almost 20% decrease in PV system pricing. This is the greatest average year-over-year price decline seen thus far.
“It would be hard to overstate how impressive 2016 was for the solar industry,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “Prices dropped to all-time lows, installations expanded in states across the country and job numbers soared. The bottom line is that more people are benefiting from solar now than at any point in the past, and while the market is changing, the broader trend over the next five years is going in one direction – and that’s up.”

Residential

The report forecasts the residential segment to grow 9% this year. California, which has historically accounted for nearly half of the residential market, is expected to decline in 2017; however, 36 of the 40 tracked states will grow year-over-year.

Commercial and industrial

The commercial and industrial (C&I) segment is expected to grow 11% year-over-year and install a record 1,756MW of solar PV in 2017. This is largely due to a growth in community solar in the nation – which has nearly quadrupled from 2015 to 2016 due to major installations in Minnesota and Massachusetts. This market is expected to represent 30% of the C&I segment in 2018.
By 2019, the US solar market is expected to resume year-over-year growth across all market segments. And by 2022, 24 states will be home to more than 1GW of operating solar PV, up from nine today.
source: http://www.pv-tech.org

Solar industry pioneers and IoT specialists to bring PV to the digital age with Solnet Group

European solar industry pioneers Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, Philip Wolfe, Dr. Tapio Alvesalo have joined the Board of Directors of Solnet Group B.V., a company headquartered in Amsterdam offering utility-scale smart solar photovoltaic (PV) solutions for corporate customers across Europe. 

Solnet Group B.V. is expanding the business model of Finlands leading solar company Solnet Green Energy Ltd., a company focusing on smart solar, energy storage, and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and has installed 20% of Finlands total grid connected solar PV capacity. 

”Solnet Group is a company focusing on the digitalization of solar electricity production and management. Redundancy, remote management, low O&M costs, system integration to building automation, energy procurement and utilizing production statistics in marketing; these are all benefits of IoT and the Smart Solar solutions we offer,” says Arttur Kulvik, CEO of Solnet Group B.V.

Dr. Winfried Hoffmann is a solar industry veteran with 30+ years of experience. He had a leadership role with the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) and was a long time board member and President of EPIA (today Solar Power Europe).

Philip Wolfe is a pioneer of the renewable and community energy sectors. He was the first Chief Executive of BP Solar; and a founding director and former president of both the European Photovoltaic Industry Association and Community Energy England.

Dr. Tapio Alvesalo is the founding pioneer of Finland's solar electricity business. He is a new energy technologies & environment professional who has previously acted as founder and CEO of NAPS International, Vice President, Corporate Technology Officer at Fortum PLC the Secretary General of the Millennium Prize Foundation. He has also acted as the President of EPIA. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

 

Light up Your Homes and Offices With MTN Mobile Electricity

Staying in darkness while the neighbors on their generators every night is one of the childhood memories that I will never forget in haste. Staying in darkness became a part of us that we almost didn't remember what the joy and shouting of both kids and adults felt like, whenever the lights were restored. 

But gladly, the story is no longer the same. Though there isn't no steady electric supply in Nigeria yet, but surely, gone are the days when we have to endure the pain of not having stable electricity. And also dealing with noisy generators as MTN is set to light up our lives with MTN Lumos Mobile Electricity, which gives/adds more value to life with its 24/7 solar electricity that is safe, noiseless, reliable and affordable.

MTN Lumos Mobile Electricity, which was launched last month is brought to you by MTN in partnership with Nova-Lumos and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). MTN Mobile Electricity is geared towards making modern electricity available to millions of homes and businesses in Nigeria through reliable solar systems on a per-use plan.

MTN Lumos Mobile Electricity can power up both households and business equipment such as bulbs, mobile phones, fans, hair clippers, computers, TVs and other small electronic devices daily and all at once. For as low as NGN200 per day which you can conveniently pay with your airtime from your MTN line, which can be paid the same way you pay for your data bundle subscription.

Taking a peek under the hood of the MTN Lumos Mobile Electricity, it is made up of a large solar panel linked to an indoor storage unit which allows customers to access significant amounts of power (electricity) 24/7 on-demand, whether day or night. Large 80W solar panel unit and cables, Solar indoor unit, USB mobile phone charger, 2 powerful led bulbs and DC to AC converter

The Mobile Electricity gadget and its service are provided to customers on lease to own basis, and the cost is spread over a 5-year term, so customers can choose a suitable plan from the plan options and pay for usage in small installments.

source: http://www.techvillz.com

Azuri PayGo Solar Sales Surpass 100,000

Off-grid solar company Azuri Technologies announced Tuesday that it has reached the mark of 100,000 sales of its PayGo solar home systems in sub-saharan Africa.
Since initially breaking into the market in 2011, Azuri has offered affordable, clean energy for off-grid towns and communities across 12 countries.
News of Tuesday’s sales milestone comes shortly after Azuri announced that it secured a US$5 million debt facility provided by Standard Chartered Bank in February 2017, as well as the completion of an US$11 million equity funding round in December 2016 — all of which supports Azuri’s efforts to spur solar across Africa.
This new financing will also help Azuri grow in new markets, highlighted by a program announced in January 2017 to provide power to 20,000 homes in Nigeria.
The Azuri PayGo solar product portfolio includes the first complete PayGo satellite TV package targeting households without electricity — launched in Kenya in December 2016. In addition, the product range includes solar lighting systems that incorporate Azuri’s HomeSmart technology, which ensures households have light all night, even after cloudy weather.
Simon Bransfield-Garth, chief executive of Azuri, said: “The milestone of 100,000 systems sold marks the next phase of Azuri’s journey. Coupled with the recently completed funding announcements, we look forward to continuing to grow our presence and serve the millions of customers that still lack access to modern electrical services.”
Jamie Vollbracht, director, cleantech at IP Group, a founder investor and major shareholder in Azuri, added: “These milestones reinforce the great strides Azuri is making in providing PayGo solar solutions for this rapidly growing market. We expect that Azuri’s innovative approach and world-class team mean that many more significant milestones are to come as Azuri further expands, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Africa.”
 source:http://www.nigeriaelectricityhub.com

NAPTIN Partners Local Firm on Renewable Energy

The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has disclosed that it would set up a National Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC) in partnership with an indigenous technology firm, Tido Tech International, to promote green energy technology in Nigeria.

According to a statement from the Acting Director General of NAPTIN, Mr. Ahmed Nagode, in Abuja, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the climate innovation centre was recently signed with Tido Tech International, which was represented by its head, Prof. Olugbemiga Olatidoye.

The statement explained that with the MoU, NAPTIN and Tido Tech International will work together to set up the framework for the establishment and implementation of centre.

It said the main objective for the establishment of the centre would be to foster a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework in the promotion of green energy technology in Nigeria.

The statement further stated that within the framework, “both parties would identify key stakeholders that could work with it in the establishment and effective operation of the centre, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the project, undertake a feasibility study on the operations of the centre with a view to identify a suitable business model for its operation, as well as identify sources of funds for the operation of the centre”.

The centre is expected to encourage increased collaboration between tertiary institutions in Nigeria and industries in green energy technology and business.

It also described the partnership as part of efforts by the Nigerian government to fulfil its commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Energy for all (SE4All) initiative.

Nagode, in the statement expressed his delight with the partnership, and said that NAPTIN has similar partnership with reputed organisations like Schneider Electric, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

He added that the institute would continue to explore beneficial partnership that will enable it fulfill its mandates of providing capacity building services for the country’s power sector.

Similarly, Olatidoye, a United States-based professor said he was pleased with the partnership which he noted would ensure Nigeria would not be left out as part of nations making strides and efforts to fulfill their global commitments to carbon reduction and safe environment.

He said the establishment of the centre would equally ensure sustainability in the transfer of knowledge on green energy technology deployment, especially mini-grid renewable energy systems.

source: https://www.thisdaylive.com

Japanese Apple manufacturing partner pledges 100% renewable energy use

Apple manufacturing partner Ibiden is Apple's first supplier in Japan to pledge the use of 100 percent renewable energy, spread across 20 new energy facilities.

"We're proud to partner with suppliers like Ibiden who recognize that renewable energy investments are good for the environment and good for business," said Apple's vice president for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson. "As we continue our push to power our global operations with 100 percent renewable energy, it is more important than ever that we help our manufacturing partners make the same transition to cleaner sources, and set an example for other companies to follow."

Ibiden technology is used to "bring together the integrated circuitry and chip packages in Apple devices" according to Apple. The company is headquartered in Ogaki, Gifu prefecture, and specializes in printed circuit boards and integrated circuit packaging.

Ibiden will deliver over 12 megawatts of solar power, with a large portion coming from an array floating in a body of water in a converted lumberyard. The power generated is more than sufficient for the company's needs to construct products for Apple.

In part as a result of Ibiden's commitment, Apple and its manufacturing partners will generate over 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours per year by the end of 2018.

Apple has consistently scored well in green energy rankings. In January, Apple scored 83 percent on Greenpeace's Clean Energy Index, thanks to low usage of conventional energy sources like coal, nuclear, or natural gas. The company also scored top marks in categories like energy transparency and renewable procurement, with a B in advocacy.

While the 12MW generated by Ibiden is noteworthy, and stands above most east asia suppliers, it pales in comparison to Apple's efforts in the U.S. Most recently. Apple and NV energy forged a deal to build a 200MW solar farm in Nevada, scheduled to be completed in 2019.

source: http://appleinsider.com

Budget 2017: Solar industry facing devastating 800% tax increase

 
Britain’s solar industry is facing devastation and consumers could see energy bills rise after the Chancellor Philip Hammond refused to listen to pleas to cancel a planned tax hike of up to 800 per cent on rooftop solar schemes.
The Solar Trade Association described the Government’s refusal to bend over the increase – due to come into force in April – as “nonsensical” and “absurd”.
Bizarrely, state schools with solar panels will be forced to pay, while private schools will remain exempt.
Mr Hammond barely mentioned the energy sector in his speech – apart from a promise to help the oil and gas industry “maximise exploitation” of the remaining reserves in the North Sea.
According to the Government’s own figures, solar power is expected to become the cheapest form of electricity generation sometime in the 2020s.

But the UK solar industry lost 12,000 jobs last year and there has been an 85 per cent reduction in the deployment of rooftop solar schemes.
So the sector had hoped the Government would listen to their request to drop the huge increase in business rates affecting rooftop solar from next month.
Some 44,000 solar 'microgenerators' who are currently exempt from business rates could be faced with a bill of hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Speaking after reading the detail of the Budget in Treasury documents, Leonie Greene, of the Solar Trade Association, told The Independent: “Fair to say we are dismayed. We are facing an extreme business rate rise of up to 800 per cent.
“Listening to what he [the Chancellor] said today, there was no mention of energy apart from oil and gas.

“I have to say we are astonished because deployment [of solar] is at a six-year low.
“This is slightly less than helpful for the British solar industry … it’s absurd. Energy tax policy is going in the opposite direction to how we know energy needs to change and how it is changing.
“What he is doing is advantaging old technology and disadvantaging new ones. It’s nonsensical.”
The tax hike affects businesses which install solar panels and use the electricity themselves.
But Ms Greene stressed consumers would end up paying more for their energy because of the overall downturn in the industry, which she said was also being “shut out” of the wholesale power market.
“That is crazy because it is the cheapest and most popular source of energy. What that means is consumers are paying more. We are taking away the competitive pressure solar has put on other technologies.
“We need something to change for the solar industry. We are just trying to get a level playing field with fossil fhilip Hammond made a litany of gags in his Budget 2017
James Court, head of policy at the Renewable Energy Association, said technologies like solar “are unstoppable”.
But he warned: “The UK is going to be left behind while the rest of the world is steaming ahead with renewable deployment.
“Solar and onshore wind are potentially already cheaper than new gas and certainly cheaper than new nuclear, so we are locking ourselves into an overly ‘fossilised’ and more expensive energy future.”
In his speech, Mr Hammond made no mention of the solar industry, climate change, the environment or air pollution. There had been hopes that he would increase taxes on polluting diesel vehicles.
But he did say he had “heard … the calls by North Sea oil and gas producers and the Scottish Government to provide further support for the transfer of late-life assets”.
“As UK oil and gas production declines it is essential that we maximise exploitation of remaining reserves and so we will publish a formal discussion paper in due course,” Mr Hammond said.

Other key decisions affecting renewable energy, such as the price levied on carbon emissions by big companies after Brexit, were also put off until later, creating uncertainty that could dissuade potential investors.
ClientEarth, a group of environmental lawyers which has twice successfully taken the Government to court to force it to come up with an effective plan to reduce air pollution, said the Budget showed Mr Hammond had “failed to grasp the severity of the UK's air quality crisis”.
James Thornton, ClientEarth’s chief executive, said the Government should have imposed a new charge on new diesel vehicles to send “a strong signal” that it planned to deal with the public health problems caused by air pollution.
“Despite being ordered twice by the courts to take urgent steps to tackle the country’s air pollution crisis, it seems the Treasury has still not grasped the urgency of the situation,” he said.
“We fear that Government plans [on air pollution], which are due out next month, may well fall short of what is needed.”
A Treasury document issued in support of the Chancellor’s statement to the House of Commons said the Government was “committed to improving air quality” and would “continue to explore the appropriate tax treatment for diesel vehicles”.
source:http://www.independent.co.uk

Mali to receive US $25m loan to build solar photovoltaic plant

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors has approved a senior concessional loan of $25 million to fund the Segou Solar PV Project, Mali’s first utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant. The project, one of the first in Sub-Saharan Africa, consists of the design, construction and operations of a 33 MW Power Plant. The transformational project will lead to a direct increase in the country’s installed capacity from a renewable resource and will generate 52.7 GWh annually (approximately 10% of the current generation capacity) over 25 years for a lifetime output of 1,316.75 GWh. The project will be funded by the Program for Scaling Up Renewable Energy in Low Income Countries (SREP) of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), with co-financing from the AfDB (US $8.4 million) and International Finance Corporation (US $8.4 million). This loan will help Mali firmly set its energy path on a climate-smart footing while ensuring more sustainable basic energy services to its citizens. The project will also create a replicable business model for private investment in solar PV markets across West Africa.
The project will be implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle that will be fully owned by the private sector under a 25-year Build, Own, Operate & Transfer Concession Agreement with the Government of Mali and a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with Mali’s national utility, Énergie du Mali.
“Introducing utility-scale solar PV as an energy source will enable Mali to harness its abundant solar energy potential, diversify the country’s energy mix, and increase access to cleaner energy for its citizens,” said Anthony Nyong, AfDB’s Director of Climate Change and Green Growth. “The project’s specific business model is a potential energy game-changer for Mali and indeed for all of West Africa. The project is a demonstration of the significant role that concessional climate finance can play in mitigating project specific risks and in addressing barriers that would otherwise hinder private sector involvement in renewable energy projects. This structure not only allows the Government of Mali to allocate valuable resources to other sectors of the economy, it also smoothens the way for private sector investments. It has ultimately opened the door for the industry to begin to flourish in West Africa.”
While solar PV is a technology that can be deployed in a flexible, scalable and rapid manner, first-movers face significant market barriers. Such barriers include high transaction costs, limited ability to raise financing, lack of capacity and challenges linked to the learning curve, permitting and regulatory compliance, weak transmission network and/or unreliable grid, and off-taker and country risk. Project preparation support, concessional support, and technical expertise are examples of the instruments still needed to help demonstrate the bankability of solar PV projects.
“SREP is uniquely designed to help low-income countries like Mali find ways to break down barriers to private sector engagement in renewables,” said Leandro Azevedo, Co-task Manager and Senior Climate Finance Officer at the AfDB. “SREP is helping low-income countries like Mali establish bankable solar PV projects under sound regulatory frameworks and lower power generation costs, and it will ultimately contribute to reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports and subsidies in power generation.”
About the Climate Investment Funds (CIF)
Established in 2008 as one of the largest fast-tracked climate financing instruments in the world, the US $8.3-billion CIF provides developing countries with grants, concessional loans, risk mitigation instruments, and equity that leverage significant financing from the private sector, MDBs and other sources. Five MDBs – the African Development Bank (AfDB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and World Bank Group (WBG) – implement CIF-funded projects and programs.
source: http://africanheraldexpress.com

Brookfield to acquire controlling stake in Terraform Power

 

TerraForm Power, Inc. (Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.), an owner and operator of clean energy power plants, and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (New York), a global alternative asset manager, on March 7^th, 2017 announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Brookfield will assume the role of TerraForm Power’s sponsor and Brookfield will become the controlling shareholder with 51% ownership.

“With the successful completion of the Board’s strategic alternatives process, the TerraForm Power Board and management team are confident that Brookfield’s sponsorship will enable our company to deliver cash to shareholders while strengthening our operations for future value creation,” said Peter Blackmore, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of TerraForm Power.

“This agreement with Brookfield is the culmination of our efforts to separate our operations from SunEdison and to position TerraForm Power for future success.”

“We are confident that our significant renewable power operating experience, financial resources and global institutional relationships will provide TerraForm Power with strong financial flexibility and an attractive pipeline for growth moving forward,” added Sachin Shah, Senior Managing Partner of Brookfield.

Support by SunEdison

“SunEdison is supporting this transaction, which it believes maximizes potential proceeds for the estate and aligns Brookfield with the interests of TerraForm Power in the future to create value,” said John Dubel, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of SunEdison Inc.

The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of TerraForm Power by all directors voting upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Conflicts Committee of TerraForm Power and has also been approved by the Board of Directors of Brookfield. The transaction also has the support of SunEdison.

TerraForm Power enters settlement agreement with SunEdison

As part of its strategic alternatives process, TerraForm Power also announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with SunEdison in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of SunEdison. This agreement is subject to the approval of the U.S. bankruptcy court overseeing the SunEdison Bankruptcy. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

 

Solar power summit: PV is one of the lowest-cost power generation sources for Europe

 

300 solar industry and policy leaders are meeting on March 7^th and 8^th, in Brussels at the SolarPower Summit 2017, the annual flagship event of the European solar sector association SolarPower Europe, to discuss the needs of the solar industry in Europe to be able to contribute to the EU's goal of becoming a leader in this field.

"Solar is one of the lowest-cost power generation sources today, and this is true for Europe. The European Union is not harvesting the sun as much it could and should - it's time to change that!,” said James Watson, CEO of Solar Power Europe.

US demand for new solar capacity was more than twice as large as in Europe

While annual global solar installations grew by around 50% to an all-time record number of 76.2 GW in 2016, European demand decreased by over 21% to 6.7 GW last year, according to the latest market research from SolarPower Europe.

Led by China, Asia's solar PV market share was over 66% in 2016, US demand for new solar capacity was more than twice as large as in Europe.

"The European solar industry is ready to take a larger share of the global market, but we need an open trade policy that supports the growth of solar in Europe and a clean tech industrial policy that supports the growth of solar jobs," emphasized Watson.

German Solar power bid at 6ct/kWh

Solar power prices in Europe have reached unprecedented low levels - and continue to decrease. In German PV tenders, average solar power prices have reduced by around one quarter in only 1.5 years. The lowest winning bid even reached 6ct per kWh in February.

3ct per kWh of solar power in southern Europe

"Southern European countries could generate solar power at around 3ct per kWh in 2017/18 - that's a level hardly any other technology can meet, but we need a reliable governance system to steer investment into solar power plants,” said Michael Schmela, Executive Advisor and Head of Market Intelligence at SolarPower Europe.

With the Clean Energy Package for all Europeans, the EU has the chance to make its energy supply fit for the future. Alexandre Roesch, Policy Director at SolarPower Europe stated, "The European Commission's proposed Clean Energy Package is a good starting point. If it will result in market rules that support the energy transition and enable a flexible system that puts prosumers at its core, then we have the grounds for making solar great again."

On March 8th, the second day of the SolarPower Summit, the Task Forces of SolarPower Europe are inviting attendees to discuss their work and policy asks in the fields of solar & storage, digitalization, trade, eco-design or corporate sourcing in regards to the Clean Energy Package.

Bruce Douglas, COO of Solar Power Europe said, "In our new corporate sourcing campaign we see the commitment of a quickly growing number of corporations to switch to 100% renewables. We believe that a goal of at least 35% renewables by 2030 is adequate for the EU, rather than the 27% proposed."

  source:http://www.solarserver.com

Nigeria plans broader energy mix to guarantee accessibility

Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said yesterday that the country would broaden its energy mix to guarantee accessibility by all Nigerians.
Onu said this in Abuja when he received Dr. Urban Rusnak, Secretary-General, International Energy Charter, and his team in his office in Abuja.
“Renewable energy will occupy a very prominent part in that energy mix and the Energy Commission of Nigeria and other research institutes within the ministry of science and technology are working on different aspects of energy.
“We are working in the area of renewable energy, solar energy, wind energy, bio-energy and also small hydropower energy.
“The research is very useful because, as the knowledge is transferred, the technology is used in our ministry of power. We believe that many Nigerians in the rural areas can benefit from these areas,” he said.
Onu stated that Nigeria was doing a lot to increase power generation and a number of measures were being put in place in this regard.
On the International Energy Charter, Onu stressed that it was important that Nigeria becomes a member of the charter for a number of reasons: “Just as the world is in transition in terms of renewable energy, Nigeria is also in transition.
“We are also confident that, from tomorrow, we will be benefiting more from the charter you have done a lot of work for over one quarter of a century.
“And that is a lot of experience we will be tapping into as a country to help us to meet many of our needs.”

source:http://sunnewsonline.com

KenGen announces that construction for the Olkaria V geothermal power plant will start at the end of March 2017 with an expected start of operation in 2019

Kenya’s KenGen is planning to launch construction Kenya plans to begin construction of a 158 MW geothermal power plant at the end of March, according to Managing Director Albert Mugo.
He made the statement at an investors briefing in Nairobi today, saying that Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) has “already secured funding and we expect construction works to be completed by mid 2019,”
Earlier plans talk about 2×70 MW, while the statement now talks about 2×79 MW.
KenGen has also received funding from the European Investment Bank and the German Development Bank to construct another 70 MW geothermal power plant which should be connected to the national grid in 2019.
The power producer plans to add 743 MW of electricity by the year 2022 out of which 653 MW will comprise of geothermal power while 90 MW will consist of wind power.
source: http://www.thinkgeoenergy.com

Panasonic's Photovoltaic Module HIT™ adopted for Toyota Motor's New Prius PHV

 

Panasonic Corporation today announced that it has recently developed the "HIT™ Photovoltaic Module for Automobile", which was adopted for the new Prius PHV released in February 2017 by Toyota Motor Corporation (hereafter Toyota Motor).
In addition, Panasonic's automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries were adopted for the drive batteries, as with the Prius PHV that was released in 2012.Panasonic Corporation has worked on the development of new applications of solar cells through the effective use of high performance and high reliability technologies and know-how that have been accumulated through the development, manufacture, and sales of photovoltaic modules for residential, public and industrial use.
Panasonic's solar cells have a unique structure that combines a crystalline silicon substrate and an amorphous silicon film, and feature high conversion efficiency and excellent temperature characteristics. Conventional automotive solar cells can output up to several tens of watts and have been used only for the auxiliary charging of 12 V batteries and ventilation power sources for parked cars; however, the use of the features of Panasonic's solar cells allow a high output (approx.180 W) in a limited area on a car's roof, enabling the charging of the drive lithium-ion batteries as well as 12 V batteries, resulting in a possible extension of an EV's travel distance and increased in fuel economy.
Furthermore, Panasonic has developed technologies to laminate three-dimensional curved glass to match the new Prius PHV's elegant body design, achieving the installation of modules on the roof without impairing the advanced design. This will eventually contribute to the improvement of the vehicle's environmental performance.
Panasonic will make efforts to expand the use of the "HIT™ Photovoltaic Module for Automobile" and contribute to the achievement of an environmentally friendly society in the automotive as well as the housing and industrial fields.

< Features >

1. A high output allows the charging of the drive and 12 V batteries.
2. Photovoltaic modules that are compatible with three-dimensional curve processing match the elegant body design.
3. As with the 2012 model, Panasonic's automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries are mounted.

• *HIT is a registered trademark of the Panasonic Group.

[Features]

1. A high output allows the charging of the drive and 12 V batteries

Although photovoltaic modules were installed as an option in the previous Prius HV, their applications were limited to areas such as ventilation for in-vehicle air-conditioning. The currently developed dedicated automotive modules have achieved a high output of approx. 180 W, three times or more the conventional output, which not only easily turns them into a power source for in-vehicle accessories but also allows the drive battery charging. Electrical energy generated from solar cells can be applied to the charging of driving power sources, thereby extending travel distance per charge.

2. Photovoltaic modules that are compatible with three-dimensional curve processing match the elegant body design

The new Prius PHV has an extremely novel and complex body design that enables it to achieve a graceful style, sense of quietness based on aerodynamic control, and low fuel consumption. In particular, the gradual curve design is applied to the overall roof, creating a complex structure made of three-dimensional curves from the windshield and pillars to around the hood. Panasonic developed a unique lamination technology that conforms to this complex three-dimensional curved roof. This technology features the thermal compression bonding of the upper and lower module surfaces with flexible material and is groundbreaking in that it allows the manufacturing process to address three-dimensional curves in addition to conventional flat surfaces. The development of this technology enabled the practical use of automotive modules.

"HIT™ Photovoltaic Module for Automobile" presenting a curved contour

3. As with the 2012 model, Panasonic's automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries are mounted

As with the Prius PHV that was released in 2012, Panasonic's automotive prismatic lithium-ion batteries have been adopted for the drive batteries of the new Prius PHV. These batteries achieve a good balance of elements required for automotive batteries, including high capacity, high output, and high safety levels, and charge regenerated energy and electrical energy that has been generated by solar cells to contribute to the extension

source: http://news.panasonic.com