Policy

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Offshore Wind Drives 6.1 GW Of European Wind Installations In First Half Of 2017

6.1 GW of extra wind energy capacity was installed in Europe in the first half of 2017, according to figures released by WindEurope. The figure puts Europe on course for a bumper year for installations, although hides some worrying trends. WindEurope Chief Policy Officer, Pierre Tardieu, said: “We are on track for a good year in wind capacity installations but growth is driven by a handful of markets. At least ten EU countries have yet to install a single MW so far this year. Although this won’t translate into lower installations for another few years, the industry needs clarity on volumes for the post-2020 period to maintain the current cost reduction trend”.

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35% Of German Electricity Consumption Now From Renewables: Grid Challenges Ahead

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research in Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and the German Association of Energy and Water Industries (BDEW) have stated in an initial assessment that electricity generated from clean energy accounted for 35% of Germany’s consumption in 1H 2017. It’s the first time that this mark has been reached. The total share of electricity generated from renewables was up 2% from last year. The growth from onshore wind was 13.6%; offshore wind saw the steepest growth at 47.5%; growth from biomass increased by 2.2%, whilst the growth from PV systems was 13.5%, compared with the 1H 2016.

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Solar Power Exceeds Wind Installations; Can Surpass 80GW In 2017, 1TW In 2021

SolarPower Europe (SPE) has launched the ‘Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2017-2021.’ The report confirms 2016 as another record year for solar, with global annual additions for solar growing by 50% with 76.6 GW installed. There’s now a total worldwide solar power generation capacity of 306.5 GW. James Watson, CEO of SPE said: “When looking at solar, the cost reductions experienced and predicted outstrip all other power generation technologies. Today, utility-scale solar is already cheaper than new gas, coal and nuclear power plants.”

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Digital, Smart, Connected: A New Energy World Emerges At Intersolar Europe 2017

With a total of 40,000 visitors and 1,100 exhibitors from 51 countries present at the Intersolar Europe and at ees Europe 2017; the topic of smart renewable energy took centre stage, propelling the industry ever onward. Annual global deployment of PV installations cracked the 80 gigawatts(GW) mark for the first time in 2017 with 2016 already seeing a 50 percent increase in deployment over the previous year; a renewable energy future is arriving at a breathtaking pace. “Our vision of ‘24 hours of sunshine’ clearly foresees an energy future in which all energy is generated by renewable sources,” says Martin Hackl, Global Director of the Solar Energy Division at Fronius International GmbH. “We will achieve this vision by observing the four pillars of this future – intelligent and efficient generation, distribution, storage and consumption of energy.”

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Intersolar Europe 2017: A Meeting Point For The Solar Industry

Intersolar Europe, the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners, is now open. This year’s exhibition focuses on the new energy world. One of the highlights is the special exhibit Smart Renewable Energy. Other topics include new financing and business models for photovoltaics (PV), large-scale PV power plants and the operation and maintenance of PV installations. Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the solar industry will be in Munich until June 2. Once again, ees Europe – Europe’s largest and most visited exhibition for batteries and energy storage – is taking place at the same time.

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Russia: Abundance Of Renewables Can Fuel Growth; Quadruple Clean Energy By 2030

Russia can increase the share of renewables in its energy mix from roughly 3 percent today to more than 11 percent by 2030, according to new findings by IRENA. The growth in renewable energy use would represent nearly a fourfold increase in the share of renewables between 2014 and 2030. To implement the study’s recommendations, an annual investment of approximately USD 15 billion per year between 2015 and 2050 is required, but IRENA shows that the benefits can exceed costs when externalities related to human health and climate change are considered. According to current estimates Russia has the largest wind potential in the world.

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US Wind And Solar Surge: Providing Majority of New Generating Capacity Q1 2017

According to the latest issue of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) “Energy Infrastructure Update” (with data through March 31, 2017), wind and solar provided 50.84% of the new electrical generating capacity added to the U.S. grid during the first quarter of 2017. Significantly, renewables power sources are now almost 20% of the total US electrical generating capacity. If current growth rates continue, renewables should top 20% before the end of this year. Generating capacity from renewable sources is now more than double that of nuclear power (9.10%) and rapidly approaching that of coal (24.25%).

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Today, Every Fifth Utility Company In Germany Offers Photovoltaics To Households

The energy transition is changing the face of the energy market and its stakeholders. For utilities, this process also means a restructuring that will affect all areas. The energy transition involves products and services in the energy efficiency, mobility, electricity and heat sectors. It, therefore, creates numerous opportunities for utilities to grow by coming up with innovative solutions, but it also brings many risks. Customer relationships are changing. Simple power delivery is being replaced by more complex prosumer relationships. The portfolio of utility companies now consists of products such as photovoltaic installations and electrical storage systems, as well as new services in the mobility sector.

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India’s Solar Objectives Get Major Boost with 750MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park

India’s State Government of Madhya Pradesh has signed agreements making Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Park a reality and helping India get closer to its 100 GW solar energy goal by 2022. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the lead transaction advisor for the project that will mobilise $550 million in private investment and avoid a million tonnes of GHG emissions. The 750 MW capacity project was auctioned in three packages of 250 MW each and will be one of the biggest single site solar projects in the world.

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Intersolar North America In Its 10th Year: Blazing a Trail Where Others Follow

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Intersolar North America will once again be the first major solar event of the year. It takes place July 11-13 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco and is co-located with ees North America and SEMICON West. These combined events bring together professionals from the solar, energy storage and semiconductor industries to share knowledge and innovation, network, and accelerate business goals. With its consistent growth to 18,000+ attendees in 2017, Intersolar North America is the most-attended solar event in North America.

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Large-Scale PV Finance Amongst Hot Topics At Intersolar Europe Conference 2017

The increasing number of investments in large-scale PV plant constructions worldwide are raising new questions about the industry. What options are available for financing PV power plants? Which markets will be relevant in the future? What is the role of smart renewable energy, i.e. combining energy generation, storage, and management? Experts are set to discuss these at the Intersolar Europe Conference, taking place in Munich (May 30–31). The event runs alongside Intersolar Europe, the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its partners, (May 31–June 2).