ARPA-E to fund exotic solar research

http://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=arpa-e-news-item/arpa-e-announces-30-million-research-projects-develop-breakthrough-technologies

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Three in Four New Rooftop Solar Installations in California are Now Leased, not Purchased « CPI

http://climatepolicyinitiative.org/press-release/three-in-four-new-rooftop-solar-installations-in-california-are-now-leased-not-purchased/

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

The Lesson in Renewable Energy Development from Spain

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/a-lesson-in-renewable-energy-development-from-spain?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-July31-2013

--
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Rank 'Em: The Most Solar-Friendly States in the US

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/rank-em-the-most-solar-friendly-states-in-the-u-s?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-July31-2013

--
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Mexican systems begin to get financed and implemented

Suniva commissions 500 kW rooftop PV system in central Mexico

29.07.2013: US solar cell and module maker Suniva Inc., along with project partners Radiance Solar and Grupo Metal Intra (GMI), has commissioned a 500 kW rooftop PV system in central Mexico. The grid-connected system, installed atop a GMI manufacturing facility in the state of Queretaro, relies on 1,632 Suniva OPT300 monocrystalline modules, which have a module conversion efficiency of more than 16 percent. The US Export-Import Bank and its affiliate UPS Capital provided financing for the system and installation. Suniva recently ramped up production at its module assembly plant in Norcross, Georgia to meet increased demand. The company hired nearly 100 new employees so it could run its module lines 24/7. Suniva has been running its monocrystalline cell production lines 24/7 since it began cell production in 2008. Suniva expanded its Norcross cell and module production facility to 170 MW in July 2010 and expects to increase capacity further this year. The company also has 500 MW of production capacity in Asia. © PHOTON

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Solar still just a small amount of overall capacity

The Western US and Canadian electric grid hosts 2.1 GW of utility-scale solar

The Western Electricity Coordinating Council grid spans most of 11 US states, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, and a small section of Baja California, Mexico. © Western Electricity Coordinating Council 29.07.2013: More than 2.1 GW of utility-scale solar capacity is estimated to be operating on the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) grid, which spans most of 11 US states, the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, and a small section of Northern Baja California, Mexico. According to the WECC's 2012 State of the Interconnection report, the WECC grid has a 2013 summer expected maximum generation capacity of 233,083 MW. Just 2,124 MW – or 0.91% – is estimated to come from utility-scale PV and CSP plants. The majority of generation capacity on the WECC grid will instead come from gas (90,879 MW), hydropower (61,570 MW), coal (38,798 MW) and wind (19,753 MW). With 956 MW, Southern California has the most solar generation capacity of any of the 9 WECC regions. In this region, solar accounts for nearly 2.6% of total generation capacity. The Desert Southwest region, made up of Arizona, New Mexico and small sections of Nevada and Texas, comes in second with 520 MW of solar generation capacity, followed by Northern California with 503 MW. Neither of the Canadian provinces have any utility-scale solar, according to WECC, and the Mexican segment of the grid has just 5 MW. According to the report, actual peak summer demand for the WECC region in 2012 reached 150,913 MW. Winter peak demand reached 124,369 MW. © PHOTON

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Lawmakers to start with no tax breaks and add them back in one at a time!

SEIA urges US lawmakers to include solar incentives in new tax code

29.07.2013: The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has launched a campaign to encourage US lawmakers to include renewable energy incentives in any new tax code and to advocate for the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). »Congressional leaders are approaching tax reform from a blank slate perspective,« the SEIA explains. »They will eliminate all tax incentives – for energy, for businesses, everything – and force lawmakers to advocate on behalf of the ones they think are important.« Senators are being asked to provide input on which tax expenditures should be retained or improved in a reformed tax code. The SEIA is asking constituents to contact their state senators to urge them to include the solar ITC in any new tax code. The ITC is a 30% tax credit for solar systems installed on residential and commercial properties. The ITC has been instrumental in removing market barriers, spurring innovation and creating jobs. According to the SEIA, the solar ITC has helped US annual solar installation grow by over 1,600% since being implemented in 2006 – a compound annual growth rate of 76%. Under current law, the ITC will remain in effect through December 31, 2016. © PHOTON http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6422/p/dia/action3/common/public/?ac tion_KEY=8280 http://www.seia.org/policy/finance-tax/solar-investment-tax-credit

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Fwd: World energy consumption to increase 56 percent by 2040 | SiliconBeat

http://www.siliconbeat.com/2013/07/25/world-energy-consumption-to-increase-56-percent-by-2040/

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Wind, the 'workhorse' of renewable energy - SiliconValley.com

http://www.siliconvalley.com/news/ci_23731607/wind-workhorse-renewable-energy

Germany: power from coal is booming, solar energy stagnates

Germany: power from coal is booming, solar energy stagnates

26.07.2013: Electricity from fossil fuels experienced a renaissance in Germany in the first half of 2013 due, in part, to declining prices for CO2 certificates. According to new figures from the German Association of Energy and Water (BDEW), lignite, coal and gas power plants produced a total of 120,198 GWh of electricity in the first 6 months of 2013, a 12.4% increase over the previous year. The increase in fossil fuel production was enabled by a drop in the price of CO2 certificates, which fell 41.3% year on year in the first half of 2013. Meanwhile, solar power production stayed flat year on year at 14,157 GWh despite the fact that installed solar capacity has grown by several gigawatts since last year. Solar power production was particularly disappointing in January and February, when, on average, 36% less solar power was injected into the grid compared to last year. However, green energy is still having an impact on energy prices. Prices for 1-year futures for baseload power decreased by an average of 20.3% year on year in the first 6 months of 2013. At the same time, prices for power on the spot market for power supply for the following day decreased by approximately 12%. © PHOTON

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

646.402.5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

El Salvador to issue 100 MW renewable energy RfP in September. Note funders

El Salvador to issue 100 MW renewable energy RfP in September

26.07.2013: El Salvador’s National Energy Council (CNE) will issue a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the installation of 100 MW of wind and solar power plants in September, according to local newspaper El Mundo. The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) will assist CNE to develop the bidding process for the RfP. In May 2012, El Salvador approved new regulations aimed at encouraging the deployment of renewable energy generation projects up to 20 MW in size. The RfP is one element of this new strategy. Currently, there is just one utility-scale PV project under development in El Salvador. In February, Salvadorian public energy company Lempa River Executive Hydroelectric Commission (CEL) published an RfP for the construction of a 14.2 MW PV power plant. The project, due to be located on land owned by CEL, is expected to be completed in mid-2014. The project requires a total investment of $50 million, about $20 million of which will be covered by a loan from German government-owned development bank KFW. CEL, Banco de Desarrollo (BANDESAL) and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) will provide the remaining funding. Additionally, in late April, CNE issued a call for tenders for renewable energy power supply contracts totaling 15 MW. CNE and its partners are seeking 6 MW of PV power, 4 MW of small hydropower, 4 MW of biogas and 1 MW of residential distributed systems that generate power for self-consumption. Supply contracts will be valid for 15 years. © PHOTON http://www.cne.gob.sv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=355 :destacados-avances-en-la-diversificacion-de-la-matriz-energetica-de-e l-salvador&catid=1:noticias-ciudadano&Itemid=77 http://elmundo.com.sv/cne-espera-115-mw-renovables-para-el-ano-2015 The complete press release can be viewed in PHOTON's archive using the fo

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

646.402.5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

Euro politicians foolishly put a floor price on Chinese panels

China and EU to reach deal on solar trade dispute

26.07.2013: China and the EU are close to striking a deal that would avert punitive duties on Chinese solar products imported into the EU, reports Reuters, citing unidentified Chinese and European sources. According to Reuters, China's envoys have agreed to central elements of a deal with the EU that's been in the making since June 21. After 6 weeks of talks, China and the EU are close to agreeing on a minimum price at which Chinese solar panels must be sold in the EU and on an annual quota for Chinese imports. In recent weeks, the EU has been pushing for a minimum solar panel price of 55 euro cents (72¢) per W and an annual quota equal to 60% of EU demand. A compromise is expected to be announced soon. In an effort to defuse the escalating trade conflict resulting from the EU's decision to apply antidumping duties on wafers, cells and modules imported from China, the EU and China began official talks to discuss a compromise on June 21. The two parties have until August 6 to reach a deal. If the parties fail to reach a compromise by then, a punitive tariff of 47.6% will be applied to Chinese solar imports, which would effectively prevent Chinese companies from selling solar products on the European market. Chinese solar manufacturers exported €21 billion worth of wafers, cells and modules to the EU in 2012. © PHOTON

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

646.402.5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

Antidumping duties on Chinese modules will lead to higher PV prices, fewer EPC providers in Europe

Antidumping duties on Chinese modules will lead to higher PV prices, fewer EPC providers in Europe, IHS

24.07.2013: In Europe, »the era of low-cost Chinese modules is now over,« according to Henning Wicht, senior director of solar research at market research firm IHS. »This will have a negative impact on solar installations, and is likely to cause many companies engaged in the EPC of solar systems to go out of business this year.« Antidumping duties on Chinese-made solar products have led to an increase in the price of solar modules in Europe, signaling the end of a period when inexpensive modules enabled rapid growth of PV installations in the region. Average prices for Chinese multicrystalline modules in Europe rose in June for the first time in 48 months (excluding a seasonal uptick in February 2013), reports IHS in a new report entitled PV Price Tracker-Modules. The average price of multicrystalline modules rose 4% in June to €0.54 ($0.71) per W, up from €0.52 in May. IHS expects prices to continue climbing in the next few months, with the average price reaching €0.55 per W by the end of September. On June 5, the EU imposed provisional antidumping duties on wafers, solar cells and modules imported from China. The duties are valid for a period of 6 months from June 6. The Commission decided to introduce the duties according to a phased approach starting with an 11.8% tariff for the first 2 months. Following that, the tariff will be raised to 47.6% for the remaining 4 months. The Commission stated that the provisional antidumping duties will counteract unfair trade practices that have harmed the European solar industry. In an effort to defuse the escalating trade conflict resulting from the EU's decision to apply the provisional duties, the EU and China began official talks to discuss a compromise on June 21. The two parties have until August 6 to reach a deal. If the countries fail to reach a compromise by then, a punitive tariff of 47.6% will be applied to Chinese solar imports, which would effectively prevent Chinese companies from selling solar products on the European market. Antidumping duties on Chinese-made solar products have already claimed at least one victim: German solar project developer Gehrlicher Solar AG said the introduction of antidumping duties was responsible for the company's decision to launch insolvency proceedings on June 8. © PHOTON http://www.isuppli.com The complete press release can be viewed in PHOTON's archive using the following link: http://www.photon-international.com/newsletter/document/78863.pdf

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

646.402.5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

World Bank energy strategy cuts financing to coal power - Pennenergy

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2013/07/world-bank-to-limit-financing-of-coal-power.html?cmpid=EnlWeeklyPowerJuly192013

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Saudi Arabia aims to be world's largest renewable energy market | RenewablesBiz

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/13/07/saudi-arabia-aims-be-worlds-largest-renewable-energy-market&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=RB_DAILY2&utm_term=Original-Member

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Ontario ground projects sold

Fiera Axium Infrastructure acquires 42 MW of PV power plants in Ontario 19.07.2013: Fiera Axium Infrastructure Canada II LP, managed by Canada-based Fiera Axium Infrastructure, a joint venture of Fiera Capital Corp. and Axium Infrastructure Management, has acquired four PV projects totaling 42 MW from Ontario Solar PV Fields Inc., a joint venture of Q-Cells SE and Photowatt, a subsidiary of ATS Automation Tooling Systems. The value of the transaction was not disclosed. Hanwha Q Cells Canada, a subsidiary of Hanwha Q Cells USA, will build the four projects for Fiera Axium. Construction of the projects is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2014. Once constructed, the four projects will sell their output to the Ontario Power Authority under 20-year power purchase agreements. The four projects are located in Ontario in the towns of Ramore, Hearst, Kapuskasing and Wainwright. In conjunction with the acquisition, financial close was achieved on a $175 million senior debt financing facility that will partially fund construction of the projects. The senior debt financing was provided by a syndicate of three international project finance banks comprising Natixis, Nord/LB and Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

The Cost of New Renewable Power Generation: Approaching Parity?

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/costing-renewable-power-generation?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-July17-2013

California's Cap-and-Trade Program Has Learned From Europe | EnergyBiz

http://www.energybiz.com/article/13/07/californias-cap-and-trade-program-has-learned-europe&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=EB_DAILY2&utm_term=Original-Magazine

Fwd: [Ontario Solar Advocates] Each degree of global warming might ultimately raise global sea levels by more than 2 meters - PIK Research Portal

http://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/jedes-grad-erderwaermung-koennte-den-meeresspiegel-auf-lange-sicht-um-mehr-als-2-meter-erhoehen

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Posted By Monty to Ontario Solar Advocates at 7/16/2013 04:42:00 PM

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Fwd: Fuel cells overtake engines in micro CHP scene

Fuel cells may be reaching the tipping point.

http://www.cospp.com/topics/device/mobile/t/78158689/fuel-cells-overtake-engines-in-micro-chp-scene.htm?m_n=true

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com

Another cut to Spanish FIT payments: pv-magazine

http://www.pv-magazine.com/index.php?id=9&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=12040&cHash=0c174a3ef6aed2096324f8acd432d3f2#axzz2Yl8zMSeZ

Renewables to Surpass Gas by 2016 in the Global Power Mix

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/russtech-inc/news/article/2013/07/renewables-to-surpass-gas-by-2016-in-the-global-power-mix?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July12-2013

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

US Joins 10-GW Solar PV Club, Prepares For Liftoff

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2013/07/us-joins-10-gw-solar-pv-club-prepares-for-liftoff?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July12-2013

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

Delivering Stability in the Renewable Energy Transition

The real threat from renewables as the utilities, coal and gas lobbies see it.

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2013/07/delivering-stability-in-transition?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July12-2013

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

» Worldwide Solar PV Market Will Surpass $134 Billion in Annual Revenue by 2020 Navigant Research

http://www.navigantresearch.com/newsroom/worldwide-solar-pv-market-will-surpass-134-billion-in-annual-revenue-by-2020

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

EU climate chief urges banks to end support for fossil fuels - Power Engineering International

http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/2013/07/eu-climate-chief-urges-banks-to-stop-lending-to-fossil-fuels.html

Gulf states plan $155 billion solar energy projects | RenewablesBiz

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/13/07/gulf-states-plan-155-billion-solar-energy-projects&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=RB_DAILY2&utm_term=Original-Member

Mexico switches to US natural gas for electricity generation

https://mail.google.com/mail/?account_id=mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com&shva=1#inbox/13fad88d34aea2c7?compose=13faa4d1275c04ce

Fwd: FW: OPA announces 951 contract offers under the Small FIT

Fyi

Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Cherie Brant" <cbrant@willmsshier.com>
Date: Jul 4, 2013 9:45 AM
Subject: FW: OPA announces 951 contract offers under the Small FIT
To: "Monty Bannerman" <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>, "Charles Wassell" <cwassell@arcstarenergy.com>, "Francisco Solchaga" <solchaga@araozyrueda.com>, "Alfredo Torres" <alfredo.torres@luzentia.com>
Cc:

Hello All,

 

Please see the summary information on the Small FIT. Set out below:  Essentially, 1/3 of total 146MW issued were Aboriginal projects.   

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this percentage of 1/3 Aboriginal is maintained in the Competitive RFP. This is the theme that is emerging and it works optically for all stakeholders.

 

 

Cherie L. Brant

Recipient of The Lexpert® Rising Stars: "Leading Lawyers Under 40"

 

Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP
416-862-4829
Visit our website at http://www.willmsshier.com

 

This email is confidential and for the use of the intended recipient.  If you receive this email in error, contact the sender immediately and delete.  Please consider not printing.

 

 

 

From: Ontario Sustainable Energy Association [mailto:info=ontario-sea.org@mail67.wdc03.rsgsv.net] On Behalf Of Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
Sent: July 4, 2013 9:37 AM
To: Cherie Brant
Subject: OPA announces 951 contract offers under the Small FIT

 

Yesterday the OPA announced 951 Small Feed-in Tariff renewable energy contract offers representing 146.5 MW. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.   Good Morning OSEA Members, Friends and Supporters,   Yesterday the OPA announced 951 Small Feed-in Tariff renewable energy contract offers representing 146.5 MW.  Here are some fast facts: 825 MW of applications were received 98% of the successful applications received municipal council support resolutions 934 projects are solar PV, 16 bio-energy and one water power The projects are expected to bring $750 million in investment and create 2,200 jobs in Ontario 46 MW (219 projects) have aboriginal participation 27.8 MW (136 projects) have community participation OSEA continues to work to secure the Ministry of Energy and OPA's commitment to: 1.      Provide rejected applicants with a detailed breakdown of the reasons for their rejection. 2.      That applications rejected in this round retain their timestamp priority for resubmitted applications during the Fall window. OSEA's earlier recommendation that unfilled capacity in the previous 200MW application window following the TAT/DAT testing be allocated to the Fall 2013 application window has been adopted.   To read the full OPA press release please visit: http://www.powerauthority.on.ca/news/ontario-power-authority-offers-951-small-fit-renewable-energy-contracts   Thank you for your ongoing support of OSEA and efforts to work with us to transform Ontario's energy system, driving Ontario's prosperity.   Regards,  Kristopher Stevens Executive Director Ontario Sustainable Energy Association

Copyright © 2013 Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive email updates from the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association. Our mailing address is: Ontario Sustainable Energy Association 156 Front Street West, Suite 201 Toronto, ON M5J 2L6 Canada Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

EIA looks at history of energy use in the U.S. since 1776 - Pennenergy

http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2013/07/eia-history-of-us-power-generation-consumption-since-1776.html

Uranium shortfall may threaten national nuclear strategies - Power Engineering International

http://www.powerengineeringint.com/articles/2013/07/uranium-shortfall-may-threaten-national-nuclear-strategies.html

Canadian Solar finalizes sale of 10 MW solar park to Transcanada for $52.2M

Canadian Solar finalizes sale of 10 MW solar park to Transcanada

03.07.2013: Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., subsidiary of the Chinese-Canadian solar company Canadian Solar Inc., has completed the sale of a 10 MW solar plant to the Canadian energy infrastructure company TransCanada Corporation. According to the company, the PV plant, named Brockville 1, has been sold for a purchase price of $52.2 million. The PV plant is located in Brockville, in the Canadian region of Ontario, and is the first of nine solar power plants with a combined capacity of 86 MW that Canadian Solar agreed to sell to Transcanada in late 2011. All nine solar parks will benefit from Ontario’s feed-in-tariff program. © PHOTON http://www.canadiansolar.com http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196781&p=irol-newsArticle_ print&ID=1834738&highlight= The complete press release can be viewed in PHOTON's archive using the following link: http://www.photon-international.com/newsletter/document/78208.pdf

 

 

Monty Bannerman

ArcStar Energy

646.402.5076

www.arcstarenergy.com

Hydrogen may hold key to storing wind power | RenewablesBiz

http://www.renewablesbiz.com/article/13/06/hydrogen-may-hold-key-storing-wind-power&utm_medium=eNL&utm_campaign=RB_DAILY2&utm_term=Original-Member

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Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
646.402.5076
www.arcstarenergy.com