Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 30, 2016
Fwd: Renewable Resources Set New Records in US Electricity Generation in 1Q16 - Renewable Energy World
From: "Rebecca Nichols" <rvan@tnag.net>
Date: May 31, 2016 2:26 AM
Subject: Renewable Resources Set New Records in US Electricity Generation in 1Q16 - Renewable Energy World
To: "Monty Bannerman" <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>
Cc:
Renewable Resources Set New Records in US Electricity Generation in 1Q16
Defying all projections, wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources set a series of records for domestic electrical generation during the first quarter of 2016.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) latest, just-released "Electric Power Monthly" report (with data for the first three months of 2016), net U.S. electrical generation from non-hydro renewables (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) increased by 22.9 percent compared to the first quarter of 2015. Output from conventional hydropower also rose by 6.5 percent. Combined, generation from all renewable sources increased by 14.60 percent in January-March 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.
Further, utility-scale electrical generation from renewable sources hit an all-time high of nearly 17 percent (16.89 percent) of total generation. During the first quarter of 2015, renewable energy's share of net generation was only 14 percent.
Electrical generation by wind rose 32.8 percent and set a new record of 6.23 percent of total generation. In the first quarter of 2015, wind power's share was only 4.46 percent.
Huawei FusionSolar Day successfully held in Thailand
On April 29th, HUAWEI and BSP Solemnly held the FusionSolar Day in the Peninsula Hotel, the Peninsula Hotel of Bangkok. More...
Similarly, electrical generation from utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaics grew by 31.4 percent to 6,690 thousand megawatt-hours and comprised 0.69 percent of total electrical output. However, EIA also estimated that distributed solar photovoltaics (e.g., rooftop solar systems) expanded by 35.2 percent and accounted for an additional 3,146 thousand megawatt-hours. Combined, utility-scale and distributed solar accounted for over one percent (1.01 percent) of generation. A year ago, solar's share was only 0.72 percent.
Among renewable energy sources, only biomass and geothermal experienced declines at 1.4 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.
In stark contrast to the stunning growth rate of renewable sources, nuclear power remained essentially stagnant — registering growth of only 1 percent; electrical generation fueled by natural gas was up by 6.7 percent, while that from coal plummeted by 24.2 percent.
Inasmuch as electrical output from wind and hydropower sources tend to be highest in the first quarter of each year, renewable energy's share of net electrical generation for the balance of 2016 may dip a little. Nonetheless, data for the first quarter appears to be swamping EIA's earlier forecast of just 9.5 percent growth by renewables in 2016.
Lead image credit: Andrew Ima
Fwd: China Expected to Outperform Germany in Solar PV Capacity - Renewable Energy World
From: "Rebecca Nichols" <rvan@tnag.net>
Date: May 31, 2016 2:25 AM
Subject: China Expected to Outperform Germany in Solar PV Capacity - Renewable Energy World
To: "Monty Bannerman" <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>
Cc:
China Expected to Outperform Germany in Solar PV Capacity
China is expected to add new solar PV installation capacity of more than 19 GW this year, bringing the total PV installation capacity to above 60 GW, outperforming Germany to become the world's largest country in terms of the aggregate PV installation capacity.
The country is forecast to maintain the position as the world's largest PV cell product producer this year, with exports for PV cells and components rising about 5 percent year on year to more than US$15.0 billion.
China recorded combined exports and imports of solar PV cells amounting to US$17.9 billion for 2015, a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.3 percent. Of the total, US$14.7 billion accounted for exports, up 1.9 percent from a year earlier while US$3.18 billion were imports, down 17.7 percent year on year.
Specifically, the country recorded solar PV cell exportsin the form of general trade amounting to US$8.18 billion for the same period, representing a year on year increase of 28.8 percent and accounting for 55.7 percent of the country's total exports. Processing trade of the cells amounted to US$5.92 billion for the same period, down significantly by 21.9 percent year on year and accounting for 40.4 percent of the country's total.
Huawei FusionSolar Day successfully held in Thailand
On April 29th, HUAWEI and BSP Solemnly held the FusionSolar Day in the Peninsula Hotel, the Peninsula Hotel of Bangkok. More...Regionally, China exported US$2.24 billion worth of solar PV cells to Europe during the year, decreasing 20.4 percent compared to the previous year and accounting for 15.3 percent of the country's total. Exports of the cells to Asia rose to US$8.86 billion during the same period, increasing 12.8 percent from a year ago and accounting for more than 60 percent of the total. Exports to emerging markets in Latin America surged to US$900 million during the same period, up 84.2 percent compared to the previous year, representing the largest growth among the country's major export destinations.
Of note is the export of US$3.86 billion worth of PV cells to Japan during the year, accounting for 26.3 percent of the total and representing a year-over-year decrease of 20.8 percent. India accounted for US$1.38 billion in PV cell exports, up significantly by 163 percent year on year and accounting for 9.4 percent of the country's total. Exports to the U.K. dropped to US$570 million during the same year, down 36.4 percent from a year earlier and ranking sixth among the country's export destinations.
China produced 43 GW of PV components in 2015, accounting for 71.7 percent of the world's total production volume and ranking first worldwide for the seventh consecutive year.
China now exports over 60 percent of its PV cell products to overseas markets, showing a relatively higher degree of dependence on foreign trade. Although the government has put in place a series of policies and measures to invigorate the PV industry, the country still faces many hurdles, including difficulties in obtaining sufficient financing, high construction costs, disputes over property rights and long payback periods.
Lead image credit: Photovolts | Flickr
Fwd: Enel starts production at its largest PV solar power plant in Chile
From: "Rebecca Nichols" <rvan@tnag.net>
Date: May 30, 2016 9:25 PM
Subject: Enel starts production at its largest PV solar power plant in Chile
To: "Monty Bannerman" <mbannerman@arcstarenergy.com>
Cc:
Enel starts production at its largest PV solar power plant in Chile
Enel, through its subsidiary Enel Green Power Chile Ltda. ("EGPC"), has completed and connected to the grid Finis Terrae, the company's largest PV solar park in Chile.
The facility is located in the municipality of MarÃa Elena in the Antofagasta Region, around 1,300 km north of Santiago, has an installed capacity of 160 MW and can generate more than 400 GWh yearly, equivalent to the annual consumption needs of around 198,000 Chilean households, while avoiding the emission of more than 198,000 tonnes of CO2 per year into the atmosphere.
Enel invested approximately 270 million US dollars in the construction of the project in line with the Group's strategic plan. The investment was financed through Enel's own resources. Finis Terrae is supported by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), and the power generated by the plant will be delivered to Chile's Northern Region Transmission Network, SING (Sistema Interconectado del Norte Grande).
Enel, through its subsidiary EGPC, currently operates a portfolio of plants in Chile that have a combined installed capacity of over 880 MW, of which 364 MW comes from wind power, 430 MW from PV solar and 92 MW from hydropower. In addition, EGPC currently has 300 MW of projects in execution, which when completed will bring the company's total installed capacity in Chile to about 1,200 MW. Among these projects is Cerro Pabellón, which will have a gross installed capacity of 48 MW and will be South America's first geothermal plant.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
FW: Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone | Environment | The Guardian
Renewables are now proven to be past the inflection point where demand expands geometrically. Rising tides lift all boats. Some more than others.
Portugal runs for four days straight on renewable energy alone
Zero emission milestone reached as country is powered by just wind, solar and hydro-generated electricity for 107 hours
As recently as 2013, renewables provided only about 23% of Portugal's electricity. By 2015 that figure had risen to 48%. Photograph: Pete Titmuss/Alamy Stock Photo
Wednesday 18 May 2016 09.59 EDTLast modified on Friday 20 May 201610.20 EDT
Portugal kept its lights on with renewable energy alone for four consecutive days last week in a clean energy milestone revealed by data analysis of national energy network figures.
Electricity consumption in the country was fully covered by solar, wind and hydro power in an extraordinary 107-hour run that lasted from 6.45am on Saturday 7 May until 5.45pm the following Wednesday, the analysis says.
News of the zero emissions landmark comes just days after Germany announced that clean energyhad powered almost all its electricity needs on Sunday 15 May, with power prices turning negative at several times in the day – effectively paying consumers to use it.
Wind power generates 140% of Denmark's electricity demand
Read more
Oliver Joy, a spokesman for the Wind Europe trade association said: "We are seeing trends like this spread across Europe - last year with Denmark and now inPortugal. The Iberian peninsula is a great resource for renewables and wind energy, not just for the region but for the whole of Europe."
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James Watson, the CEO of SolarPower Europe said: "This is a significant achievement for a European country, but what seems extraordinary today will be commonplace in Europe in just a few years. The energy transition process is gathering momentum and records such as this will continue to be set and broken across Europe."
Last year, wind provided 22% of electricity and all renewable sources together provided 48%,according to the Portuguese renewable energy association.
While Portugal's clean energy surge has been spurred by the EU's renewable targets for 2020, support schemes for new wind capacity were reduced in 2012.
Despite this, Portugal added 550MW of wind capacity between 2013 and 2016, and industry groups now have their sights firmly set on the green energy's export potential, within Europe and without.
Solar power sets new British record by beating coal for a day
Read more
"An increased build-out of interconnectors, a reformed electricity market and political will are all essential," Joy said. "But with the right policies in place, wind could meet a quarter of Europe's power needs in the next 15 years."
In 2015, wind power alone met 42% of electricity demand in Denmark, 20% in Spain, 13% in Germany and 11% in the UK.
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In a move hailed as a "historic turning point" by clean energy supporters, UK citizens last week enjoyed their first ever week of coal-free electricity generation.
Watson said: "The age of inflexible and polluting technologies is drawing to an end and power will increasingly be provided from clean, renewable sources."
• This article was amended on 19 May 2016. An earlier version said that in 2013 Portugal generated 27% of its electricity from nuclear, 13% from hydro, 7.5% from wind and 3% from solar, according to Eurostat figures. In fact those figures are for the whole of the EU; Portugal does not have any nuclear power plants.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Schmid Group to set up 200 MW module factory in Iran
Schmid Group to set up 200 MW module factory in Iran
24.5.2016: The Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) and German PV equipment maker Schmid Group are planning to set up a solar module factory in Iran. The factory will produce everything from polysilicon to modules and will have an initial annual capacity of 200 MW. IDRO plans to expand the factory's capacity at a later stage. More details about the facility were not provided.
Schmid CEO Christian Schmid said: »We are proud to start collaboration with a respected organization like IDRO and consider this agreement as an excellent opportunity to establish a long term partnership in an important PV future market. The fully integrated manufacturing facility together with the excellent academic infrastructure in Iran will enable an ideal PV research and development hub in Iran and the joint R&D collaboration will be an integral part for our partnership with IDRO.«
© PHOTON
Monty Bannerman
ArcStar Energy
+1-646-402-5076
www.arcstarenergy.com
Monday, May 23, 2016
Renesola and UCK Group to develop 116 MW of PV projects in Turkey
Renesola and UCK Group to develop 116 MW of PV projects in Turkey
23.5.2016: Chinese solar manufacturer and developer Renesola Ltd. announced it will partner with Turkish solar company Uck Group on the development of several PV projects totaling 116 MW in Turkey. All the plants will be built under the country's FIT scheme and will be entitled to sell power at a rate of $134 per MWh. Under the terms of the agreement, UGK's unit Berak Enerji will build the plants, while Renesola will supply modules and inverters for the projects. The facilities will be owned by a 50/50 joint venture. The companies expect to complete the first 70 MW of projects by early 2017.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Is First Solar Stock a Buy? -- The Motley Fool
Friday, May 20, 2016
Bloomberg: Vegas Casinos Plan to Leave Warren Buffett’s Nevada Utility
Now you are seeing serious chunks coming out of regulated utility skin as solars' truly disruptive phase begins.
Bloomberg - Vegas Casinos Plan to Leave Warren Buffett's Nevada Utility http://bloom.bg/20gRx8L
Massive California Solar Plant Briefly Sets Itself On Fire
Most troubled CSP development in US suffers another very public setback.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Bloomberg: Not Much Worries Bond Traders as Term Premium Falls to 1962 Lows
It takes a lot to rattle Treasuries traders these days.
To read the entire article, go to http://bloom.bg/1TsOkCu
Sent from the Bloomberg iPad application. Download the free application at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloomberg-for-ipad/id364304764?mt=8
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Fwd: Ontario Posts Final Cap and Trade Regulation
From: "Ontario News" <newsroom@ontario.ca>
Date: May 19, 2016 3:35 PM
Subject: Ontario Posts Final Cap and Trade Regulation
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Follow Us On TwitterWednesday, May 18, 2016
Fwd: Ontario Passes Landmark Climate Change Legislation
From: "Ontario News" <newsroom@ontario.ca>
Date: May 18, 2016 12:10 PM
Subject: Ontario Passes Landmark Climate Change Legislation
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