Solar UK News

Is UK Government Turning its Back on Solar in favour of Nuclear?
Following recent proposals from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to dramatically reduce the tariff paid to those with solar PV (photovoltaic) energy schemes generating more than 50kW, power experts at IMS Research are questioning the viability and future of solar energy in the UK. Instead the UK government is making it clear that nuclear energy is definitely part of the plan for power generation in the UK.

Regen SW report says UK PV growth is at risk
Regen SW’s annual renewable energy report has revealed a rapid growth in the number renewable electricity projects in the south west of the UK over the past year. The majority of these installations were dominated by domestic solar photovoltaic installations. However, the report also highlights that Government’s recent policy reviews have the potential to put a stop to this growth.

Renewable energy surge at risk from Government policy changes
A new report, launched today, reveals a rapid growth in the number of south west renewable electricity projects over the past year, dominated by small solar photovoltaic (PV panel) installations. However, it warns that changes in government PV policy are putting broader growth at risk. Despite this three projects (see next) are continuing, in haste.

OVESCO – Community owned solar roofing
The Ouse Valley Energy Services Company Ltd (OVESCO Ltd) is in the process of installing a large scale solar PV installation in Lewes, in which locals will be able to invest. The project is believed to be one of the first projects of its kind in the country and is designed and costed to be self-sustaining over its lifetime. The electricity generated will be fed into the National Grid and the exported electricity will be bought by Good Energy.

Another 5MW solar park ploughs on despite FiT review
The Royal Bath & West of England Society has announced that it plans to carry on with work on its 14ha (approximately 5MW) solar photovoltaic park, despite Government’s recently announced feed-in tariff review.

A-Sun built the first large PV project in UK (1.16MW)
The British company A-Sun announced that a 1.16 Megawatt commercial solar farm is being installed in Somerset representing an important investment over the last nine months, which is the biggest commercial photovoltaic installation in England so far. The project, made viable thanks to the new Feed-In Tariff that brings an income for the power produced, is being commissioned.

National Government PV projects stopped by FiT cuts
According to a report in Business Green, the government has shelved its own plans to install solar PV across hospitals, council buildings and other government owned land due to the proposed cuts in the solar feed-in tariffs announced last month.

Local Government reacts to FiT review
Since the launch of the fast-track feed-in tariff review, Solar Power Portal has had several meetings with ‘disgruntled’ industry members. According to the Solar Power Portal, most of these gatherings have been constructive, none more so than this week’s get-together with local authority members at Eversheds in London.

Solar Industry Summit UK 2011
12th – 13th May, London
The STA and REA are both speaking and partnering with this event. To find out more information about this event please follow the link to the Solarpraxis website, where you can also book your delegate places.
STA Member companies: please note that there is a discount of £100 when booking your place(s).

Solar Power UK Conference and Exhibition
26th – 28th October 2011, ICC Birmingham
Organised by Solar Media Ltd and supported by REA Solar Power. Over 3,000 solar industry participants, 30% of which will be overseas visitors, are due to descend on Birmingham during the conference following sell-out events in Munich and London in 2010. This is the first & only UK dedicated PV event.

Europe Solar News

Italy to unveil solar subsidy cuts next week
The Italian government will reveal its new solar feed-in tariff scheme early next week, according to quotes in Reuters from the Ministry for Economic Development under-secretary Stefano Saglia. The outcome of the bill has been eagerly anticipated amongst industry figures and investors alike and is likely to see the reining in of Italy’s generous solar subsidies.

Fukushima nuclear crisis adds new dimensions to PV growth potential in Germany and Italy
Government reactions to rapid PV installation growth in key European markets such as Germany and Italy, as well as reactions to installations in once- emerging markets such as the UK and Czech Republic have often been criticised by the PV industry. However, the knee-jerk reaction to the Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan could potentially be a new and highly welcomed positive influence to the industry, according to market research firm IHS iSuppli.

German PV market: Moving toward a sustainable growth pattern
The German PV market experienced an extraordinary year of growth in 2010, with a substantial peak in June, the month before the largest cuts in Germany’s feed-in tariff (FiT) program became effective. According to the Federal Network Agency, Germany saw an annual increment of 7,400 MW newly installed PV power last year. After such a great year, the expectations for 2011 are not enthusiastic. Companies in the German market are careful in their expectations of the development of the domestic market and believe that Germany will likely reach its maximum market volume in the course of the year.

China Solar News.

Suntech becomes world’s leading solar module supplier, according to IMS Research
Suntech has usurped First Solar as the world’s leading PV module supplier after topping IMS Research’s 2010 module sales table. The switch in positions was inspired by Suntech’s 130% year-on-year rise in module shipments; First Solar saw sales rise by less than 50% despite the total market value more than doubling.

USA Solar News

General Electric (GE US) to build new thin film solar panel plant
General Electric announced on Thursday that it will construct a 400-megawatt manufacturing facility by 2013. The solar plant, which will be the largest in the United States, will create about 400 direct jobs and will bring GE’s total investment in the sector to about $600m.

Nanoparticles Improve Solar Collection Efficiency
Using minute graphite particles 1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, mechanical engineers at Arizona State University hope to boost the efficiency — and profitability — of solar power plants

US DOE pledges US$170 million for advancement of solar PV technology
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled its latest investment in its SunShot Initiative with Energy Secretary Steven Chu publicising the nearly US$170 million that will be made available over three years for the advancement of solar PV technologies. As the DOE’s SunShot program looks to reduce the total cost of energy systems by 75% before 2020, this latest investment will help further its goal by supporting four areas of investment, which include: the improvement of efficiency and performance in solar cells, creating new installation, or balance of system, technologies, progressing solar energy grid integration and researching new materials and processes for solar PV technologies.