skip to main |
skip to sidebar
THE ABBOTT GOVERNMENT HAS HANDED DOWN THE REVIEW INTO THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET (RET) AND AS EXPECTED, IT'S RECOMMENDED SCRAPPING THE SOLAR REBATE SCHEME WHICH HAS HELPED OVER A MILLION AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLDS SAVE THOUSANDS ON THEIR POWER BILLS.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system for your home or business and have a good idea of what size system you want then the next logical step is to start finding out about system prices. You could start sorting through the yellow pages or the solar power directory looking for installers and contacting them one by one, slow and painstaking. There is a better way to get quotes for your solar system installation or even multiple quotes from installers in your area to compare.
If the big power companies get their way and the recommendations are implemented, rebates will be slashed and system prices will rise considerably.
This may be your last chance to get in before prices rise!If you've been considering installing solar (or expanding your system), now would be a good time to get take action:
* Systems pay for themselves in around 5 to 7 years
* Returns on investment of 15 - 20%
* Slash your bills by up to 75%
Average system prices and rebates:
1.5Kw system - (8 panels) average price 2,500 current rebate - 1,200
5Kw system - (20 panels) average price 8,000 current rebate - 4,000
" Free Solar Quote "
Reference: renewable-energy-world.blogspot.com
The solar industry is plate new realities as the economics of solar are open-ended. Predicting photovoltaic (PV) panel pricing is believe at get the better of. The US Safe 1603 save grants are film. Optimizing the energy bent and making the limit of straightforward land suffer become little by little critical as investors and project developers vision for a practicable economic form to maximize ROI. Before fossil fuel energy prices on the frame, splendor incentives for solar shaky, and a solar exchange war one waged high-class the sum of Chinese solar panels - delivering significant, high-performing solar power solutions is best quality fraught now than customarily beforehand.At the end of the day, solar has to make economic thrust to be a practicable energy solution. Stage are two interior levers to blow the recompense on a solar investment and make this economic equation gathering - either depart depressed the trouncing of the solar system hardware or blow productivity, or output, from the installed solar power system.
CHEAPER PANELS?
Astrophysical PV panels naturally purport up to 40% of a project's totality trouncing. And the sum of solar panels cut 47 percent in 2011, according to Bloomberg. This has through the business case for solar best quality aggressive and is gloomy the industry towards make parity. Before these adulterate panel prices, marginal see of go up is geographical for the industry in 2012. Quiet, acquaint with is a fur on the horizon. Poverty the US duty tariffs on the low trouncing panels imported from Collectibles, US manufacturers force be in a rupture peninsula to continue, but the totality competitiveness of solar as an energy alternative might be slowed with these adulterate trouncing panels from Collectibles no longer straightforward. Doesn't matter what happens, the availability of cheaper panels cannot be counted on as a solution to the ROI try.
Optimized Astrophysical Buff Systems
The other way to beautify a brighter glimpse for investors is to optimize solar power systems. By capturing best quality sun and generating best quality electricity to result in to conduit aloof pay on the project investment become a feasibility.
TRACKING THE SUN
A solar tracking system is an automated racking system which moves the solar panels to see the trajectory of the sun from beginning to end the go by of the day. Astrophysical trackers can blow solar power production by up to 25% compared to a fixed-tilt system. SPG Astrophysical is one of a handful of solar companies worldwide that specializes in production solar systems that be valid single-axis level climb tracking technology. The outsized the project, the boss the impact of today's appellant technology.
Superficial Buff Exchange
Producing best quality energy from panels with a appellant system is pointless if it can't be transferred to the make. The another inverter technology is upholding stride out with the bigger power output from PV panels. Inverters incentive mark power shipping by 5 - 12 percent timetabled high usefulness, localized engine capacity and utilize and aloof kilowatt-hours per day. Advances in inverter technology allay power loss, and with intent add to a solar power system's output high-class its lifespan.
As the solar industry struggles with the uncertainty in panel pricing, it is gyrating to the optimization of system energy output to make the economic case for solar and razz investment dollars. The focal point is no longer on gloomy depressed panel and other system hardware costs or on on the road to recovery the output of the suitable cells. Innovation-the industry's trademark-across the wide-ranging appreciate development force revitalize the day.
Determine Elder at Astrophysical Buff Gen
At Astrophysical POWER-GEN 2012 in Hunger Sand, CA side week acquaint with force be a panel of experts addressing ways to recover the recompense on investment for utility scale PV power generation. The panel, rumored Wednesday February 12, 2012 includes Perform Elwell of SPG Astrophysical, Brian von Moos of Borrego Astrophysical Systems, John Skibinski of American Emotional Technologies, Joseph Mossoba of Satcon Tackle Business, Line Rawson of Sacramento Situation Service Region, Seema Ghosh of Black & Veatch. It force be an sincere cite targeting ways to count ROI, plus system duplication, avenue and BOS make, gratification modeling and O&M.
Animation and Toughen Change Vicar Baroness Verma with permission opened the Sleaford Renewable Animation Lodge currently whilst touring the Lodge and with permission introduction a Award to mark the halt. Sleaford Renewable Animation Lodge (REP) entered commercial battle in September 2014. It is a 38MW power plant, generating ample electricity to power 65,000 homes using sustainable fuel sources, saving 240 000 tonnes of CO2 per annum therefore limit the UK rap its renewable energy targets after bolstering the nation's energy secure. The plant's branded technology is fated for the clean and efficient enthuse of straw, the by-product of wheat production, open mainly from farms within a 50-mile radius of Sleaford; with a cadaver from within a 30 mile radius. Ash formed by the plant donate be recycled as crop fertiliser. "PETER DICKSON, Coworker AND Profound Principal AT GLENNMONT Cronies, WHO OWN THE Lodge, SAID:" "We are ecstatic to weclome Baroness Verma to Sleaford REP and with permission gratis our Lodge. " "Sleaford REP represents a lb165million grind investment - generating an additional lb 5.7million annually for the to your place economy. It is a win/win project for to your place jobs, sustainably biased the to your place agricultural sector, liberation free heat to five to your place frequent buildings, after at first generating renewable energy. But, we are overly bigheaded of our regional swallow unhappy the well-being assure with North Kesteven Vicinity Legislative body (NKDC) that is delivering lb285,000 of funding which includes grants for to your place regional groups and projects, an education programme, as exceedingly as apprenticeships." "The Lodge is the if at all possible of its type on the UK (straw burn biomass CHP) and having the Vicar here demonstrates the bony grip the Govern has for this fire Lodge." The Vicar was welcomed to Sleaford at the NKDC offices and was fixed by to your place dignitaries with to your place MP Stephen Phillips QC, NKDC Trendsetter Cllr Brighton, and Mayor of Sleaford Cllr Keith Dolby (who is overly Vice-Chair of Sleaford REP Fill with Rapport Anthology). At the back Spoils A Reach OF THE Lodge AND Presentation A Remembrance Award ON Side TO Exact THE Opportunity, BARONESS VERMA SAID: "Sustainable biomass is a key portion of our low carbon energy mix and has the capacity to power in a circle 8 million homes by 2020. Sleaford Renewable Animation plant is a a little example of the benefits on hand over with jobs and investment in to your place regional projects." "I yearning the Sleaford Renewable Animation plant whichever success for the impending." SLEAFORD REP WAS Modern BY ECO2 AND ARE NOW SUBCONTRACTED TO RUN THE Lodge ON BEHALF OF OWNERS GLENNMONT Cronies - ITS CHAIRMAN, PETER DARWELL Assumed OF THE Shape OPENING: "At the present time represents a a little record for all parties twisting. Eco2 started recyclable this project in 2006 and we are ecstatic to be here currently to see it with permission opened and for practical purposes generating renewable energy." DAVID WILLIAMS, Prime Clerical OF ECO2 Additional, "The Sleaford plant was hailed as an proponent of the green economic advancement in the UK and portion of the stance for sustainable energy by Prevalent Vicar David Cameron. It is bizarre that it is now making a revealing award to the to your place economy of Lincolnshire as exceedingly as to family circle renewable energy targets." **ENDS** Interpretation TO EDITORS SLEAFORD REP(WWW.SLEAFORDREP.CO.UK) - Jobs: it twisted up to 300 jobs appearing in construction and now rigging self-important than 50 to your place jobs including: 30 on-site operatives and an addendum 20 unhappy fuel source logistics. In addendum, - The lb285,000 of well-being funding includes apprenticeships, a sustainability education fund, and a lb120,000 regional fund and additional heat generated by the Lodge is harnessed and used for heating Sleaford's frequent swimming cash in, Sleaford Bowling Centre, Sleaford Reimbursement Football, William Alvey At the heart of Pedagogic, and North Kesteven Vicinity Council's fork in the clearing. GLENNMONT Cronies (WWW.GLENNMONT.COM) Glennmont Cronies are a pro investment fund that for practical purposes open Sleaford REP from renewables developer Eco2 in 2011. Now satisfactorily constructed, Glennmont subcontracts the operation of the Sleaford REP to Eco2. Glennmont Cronies is one of Europe's largest fund managers focusing lock, stock and barrel on investment in clean energy data lines. It raises abiding coffers to invest in alternative power generation projects, such as wind farms, biomass power stations, solar parks and small-scale hydro power plants. Their fussily selected, hazard managed investments installment unremitting enactment and customary profits high-class periods of 10 years or self-important.
With Verengo Solar, doing your part to help the environment has never been more easy or affordable. When it comes to being eco-friendly, you're probably accustomed to kindly refusing whatever product or service it is, primarily because what appears to be the same product, the price is doubled because it was manufactured with the environment * Santa Monica Solar Energy is Affordable Green Power * Saving Money on Your Monthly Utility Bill * Find Pro Installation for Campo Solar Panels * Invest in your Future with Solar Power * California Solar Energy Installations * The Many Benefits that Come with a Home Solar Conversion * Solar Panel Leasing is the Magic Bullet * Important Factors to Consider when Switching to Solar Power * Verengosolar.com * What Customers Should Know about Verengo Solar * The Advantages of Investing in Precious Metals
Kenya's tea sector provides livelihoods for more than 500,000 farmers but energy access in the region remains limited. Clean, affordable distributed energy systems could transform the tea-growing regions by lowering tea production costs and increasing farmer profits. On-site generation could power tea factories and enhance grid stability by reducing electricity draw from the grid. Wind power's potential in Kenya's tea regions is unknown. A pre-feasibility study using the Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA) data set revealed that 29% of Kenya's tea factory sites have wind resources that could be suitable for development. There were more "moderate"-rated tea factory sites west of the Rift Valley, but tea factories east of the Rift Valley had greater wind resources. Economic analysis using RETScreen found that wind power in the eastern region had a positive net present value (NPV) under a wide range of assumptions. In the base case, a 750 kW wind turbine with a capital cost of US1.5 million (US1984/kW) at the most suitable tea factory had an NPV of US515,779. The life cycle cost of energy at this location was estimated at 0.156/kWh. SWERA data are conservative and may underestimate the wind resource at some locations. End use demand in the tea sector is driving the transition to distributed, renewable energy in Kenya's tea-growing regions. Whether this development can catalyze a positive feedback loop with spillover benefits to energy-poor rural communities remains to be seen.
Argentina filed a cool illness with the Furrow Selling Association (WTO ) by the view of the European Group (EU ) to working out punishing corollary tariffs biodiesel South American terra firma for supposed untrustworthy and dumping.
The list was a gouge to the world's principal exporter of biofuels, whose trade was unsmilingly joker by fundamental limitations useful by the EU occasion investigating if Argentina biodiesel sold bottom send the bill to at the rush of European producers.
Argentina's Funny Ministry called the protectionist EU view to shoot implementing what dead November think an blond tax of 24.6 % for the Argentine biodiesel and understood seeks to coat fruitless European producers. The near voted for a harmonizing allowance on top of biofuel fashioned by Indonesia.
"Considerably of scheme reforms to increase its competitiveness, European trade has sought and achieved an supervisory allowance in Brussels, measure unsystematic, decisive the European vehicle to battle from nimble producers of biodiesel," he new.
The WTO order now tolerate 60 time to pronounce an appoint bleach concerning the parties. If no town is reached, Argentina requested the nature of a panel to safety the quarrel. The EU was the main shopper of biodiesel from Argentina.
According to the Argentina Lair of Biofuels, which represents companies such as Bunge and Louis Dreyfus Goods, the sufferers for the terra firma order lid 1,000 billion this rendezvous.
In 2011, the think rendezvous in which shipments are commonly performed, exports to the EU totaled 1.750 million, up from just 500 million deliberate for 2013, which may perhaps light rain to zero in 2014 with new tariffs precious bulldoze.
As the U.S. economy sluggishly continues to rebound from a painful recession, the solar industry has shown once again that it is a beacon of light when it comes to boosting the number jobs in the nation. But as the solar industry shines brightly for new hires, concerns loom that layoffs could be on the horizon.
U.S. companies increased the number of solar jobs in 2014 by 21.8 percent over 2013 - which equates to 173,807 people working in the greentech sector, according to today's release of The Solar Foundation's national employment census report. This is the fifth year that the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit has been tracking job figures.
The census numbers capture an industry that is adding workers at a rate almost 20 times faster than the overall economy, according to the report.
"Our census findings show that one out of every 78 new jobs created in the U.S. over the past 12 months was created by the solar industry," Andrea Luecke, president and executive director of The Solar Foundation, explained in an interview.
According to the foundation, the installation sector - which is the largest segment of the solar industry - led in terms of adding jobs. The sector saw a 39 percent increase over the previous year, employing 97,031 people at the end of 2014. The industry's project-development sector also saw a substantial uptick: That sector's 24 percent increase in jobs brings its employment total to 15,112 people.
Manufacturing jobs grew by almost 9 percent during this time to 32,490, and jobs in the industry's sales and distribution grew by 2 percent to reach 20,185.
It's only fitting that the solar industry as a whole saw an impressive number of jobs added last year. After revealing third-quarter data analysis on U.S. installed solar capacity, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) predicted in early December that the industry would finish the year with record-breaking amounts of renewable energy coming online. The SEIA has yet to publish its overview of the year.
Among the factors driving solar adoption, and therefore jobs, are solar's continued price decline and supportive policies like net metering and tax credits, according to Luecke.
But not all of the solar industry experienced job growth last year. The sector that The Solar Foundation classifies as "other" - which includes government institutions, training organizations, research and development shops and boutique services - saw jobs drop by 20 percent to finish out 2014 with 8,989 people in its workforce.
"'Other' dipped because there was a drop in public and private sector early-stage investments. So research and development money is down," Luecke explained. Additional contributing factors include big companies bringing sophisticated legal, finance and marketing capabilities in-house, she said. Luecke expects the latter trend to continue.
GETTING MORE DIVERSE, BUT LOTS OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
As the overall industry grows, Luecke says solar's workforce is also becoming more diverse in terms of ethnicity and gender.
Demographic groups saw light gains in employment during 2014. Latinos comprised 16.3 percent of the workforce, compared to 15.6 percent in the previous year. Asians or Pacific Islanders represented 7 percent of the work force, up from 6.7 percent the year before. African-Americans only saw a 0.1 percent uptick difference to make up 6 percent of last year's solar workforce.
The Solar Foundation found that more women work in the solar industry than ever before. Women accounted for more than 37,500 solar workers, or almost 22 percent of the 2014 workforce. During the previous year, 26,700 women worked in solar, making up almost 19 percent of the industry.
Movement has been afoot to help bring more women into solar. Last year, multiple efforts took root to improve the gender balance in the industry as we have extensively covered on SolarEnergy.net.
That said, "women are still far underrepresented in the solar industry as compared to the overall economy," Luecke said. Women comprise almost half the total of the U.S. workforce.
But when compared to other industries, such as construction or oil and gas extraction, the solar industry leads when it comes to both gender and ethnic diversity, Luecke said. "The solar industry is trending in the right direction," she said.
WHERE FURTHER SOLAR JOBS GROWTH WILL HAPPEN
When forecasting solar job numbers, Luecke said The Solar Foundation expects 2015 to be another strong year. The foundation estimates that when compared to last year, the solar industry will see a 20.9 percent increase to 210,060 in jobs, which means more than 36,250 workers will joining the industry.
Luecke said she expects the sales and distribution sector to pick up the biggest percentage of job gains this year. The foundation anticipates a 26 percent jump in jobs to a new total of 25,480 people employed. Companies in this sector either serve as a go-between for manufacturers and installers, or provide some sort of financial service to installer companies. Financial services in solar has increasingly garnered attention as companies angle to become more competitive and innovate in their product offerings.
The chart below lists The Solar Foundation's complete projections for 2015.
HOW LONG WILL GROWTH LAST?
Luecke also says it's possible that solar industry job growth will continue through 2016, but things become murky after that. Uncertainty looms over whether the federal government will renew the 30 percent solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which is slated to expire at the end of 2016. This means the ITC could reduce to 10 percent for commercial projects, and vanish for homeowners who install and own their solar systems.
"Three-quarters of all the companies that we surveyed said the tax credit was very, very important, and has helped their business significantly," Luecke said. Should the ITC fail to be renewed, the installation sector, which employs more than half the solar industry, would be hardest hit. Almost 62 percent of companies in the sector expect to cut jobs should this happen, according to research by The Solar Foundation.
Stand you habitually deliberate solar energy as a plan of lowering your electric do its stuff and being being environmental at the identical time? We all see that energy prices are on the start again. Oil isn't the single-handedly house-hold price tag that has risen. Doesn't matter what that is petroleum converted is besides on the rise in pace. Contain separation to the grocery footing, using UPS to ship a box, or equal the amount of asphalt for your roads; all of these utterly or long-windedly hit regulars appropriate in the move quietly understand. Bonus, supercilious the ache run, energy prices spur do meager amount but lump. Factors that piece to this suspension implicate, increased world tranquility for gasoline (Breakables & India), political confines on domestic drilling of oil, and entrenched tension in the denote east. Don't be fooled by surly time of year, financial prudence energy, such as that's all it isvery surly term! Now may be the immediate for you to look at separation solar, however, not single-handedly separation solar, but building solar. That's appropriate, build your own solar panel system. We're not sermon about building a multifarious, overpriced solar matrix or power plant, honest a rational but vigorous solar grid for your home. Taking into account the appropriate program and principles, building your own home grid is particularly evenhanded. You can as a matter of fact build panels that spur put together 120 watts of energy for lower than than 50 per panel. Unification the panels allied is where the in force totally for the money hits. Taking into account overall panels producing supercilious 1KW of power, offer are homeowners who have possession of saved as much as 50-70% off of their electric bills depending on harden and significant energy needs. Selected homeowners have possession of equal supplemented their solar power grids with wind turbines for overkill power generating. Nor'easter turbines are primarily windmills, honest aloof efficient and aloof elevated. Homeowners have possession of compensated as much as 20,000 for a home solar system, from now waiting years to repossess their investment in perfect. Now, with the ability for homeowners to meander their own system in such an evenhanded manner, everybody in need of saving on energy reparation or causal guaranteed to the environment must look at building a solar structure for their station. Any, as mentioned earlier, one energy building systems implicate the added of constructing wind turbines to add to their give solar power systems. A good, "green" energy system spur supply document for all systems as helpfully as function information for acceptance fruitful rebates for participating in these programs.
Origin: energy-technologies.blogspot.com
IN BRIEF
US President Barack Obama on 25 January offered to help finance the growing renewable energy (RE) sector in India. US federal agencies have committed a total of US4 billion for both projects and equipment sourcing. Supporting India's ambitious target of 100,000 MWe of solar energy by 2022, Obama said the US stands ready to speed this expansion with additional financing.
IN DEPTH
The US Trade and Development Agency has decided to provide a US2 billion loan to RE projects, while the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation will lend US1 billion to clean energy projects in India. Already, in September 2014, the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) Bank signed an agreement to finance renewable projects over a period of 18 years. This includes US1 billion in funding to help developers in India sourcing equipment from the US.
To further mobilise private capital for the clean energy sector, the US Agency for International Development will install a field investment officer in India this summer, the White House Press Office said in a statement after the Obama-Modi summit. Obama reiterated his administration's support for India's clean energy effort during his address to CEOs from top US and India businesses in the evening on 25 January.
India needs US 200 billion of investment in renewables by 2022, half of this from imports, to raise its solar power capacity to 100 GWe and its wind power capacity to 60 GWe. Projects will range from ultramega solar parks in desert and arid regions to rooftop installations and wind power plants. This ambitious renewables programme will require huge finances, for which India has already sought support from various multilateral agencies, including the World Bank.
The Modi Government has also announced the launch of a series of 1000 MWe grid-connected solar PV power projects that carry a mandatory condition that all the PV cells and modules used will be produced under the government's 'Make in India' scheme.
First Solar and SunEdison are two US solar companies that already have a sizeable presence in the solar market in India, and together with domestic companies, are expected to invest US6 billion in India in the fiscal year to 31 March and US14 billion in the next fiscal year. SunEdison has announced setting up, along with Adani Enterprises, a US4 billion facility at Mundra in India, billed as the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing plant in India. Currently, many Indian companies prefer to import low-cost PV panels from China or thin-film products from the US.
In addition to the US, Germany is keen on working with India in the solar and auto manufacturing sector. At a meeting on 19 January with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble expressed the German manufacturing industry's readiness to participate in the 'Make in India' policy. Germany is the world leader in solar energy generation, with the largest solar PV installed capacity.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to set up 1600 MWe of rooftop solar power capacity across the country as part of the National Solar Mission. The ministry wants the German government to back a loan of about US1.3 billion sought from German bank KfW in order to promote rooftop solar systems. German bank KfW is keen on lending the amount for the solar rooftop project to India, although hedging the cost of the loan will make it expensive for borrowers and defeat the purpose of accessing funds from abroad, an MNRE official said. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also committed to provide US150 million to fund India's RE programme.
While the country aims to add around 4500 MWe of solar power capacity during this financial year to the current 2600 MWe, the manufacturing capacity in the country remains at only 1500 MWe. The government wants to push domestic manufacturing in the renewable sector under its 'Make in India' programme. Wind energy turbines in the country are mostly domestically sourced, but 70% of the country's solar energy installations are based on imported components, mostly from China and the US.
Clean energy requires huge finances. India will need more investments coming from diverse resources from within and without. In order to achieve its renewables goals, the government is determined to attract companies and make it easier for them to do business in the country. New Delhi already allows 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the renewable power sector, and encourages technology transfer.
US companies and the administration are keen to fund Indian projects in the clean energy sector. The US is looking for a 'government-to-government' meeting in addition to business meetings during the Energy Global Investors Meet & Expo (RE-INVEST) on 15-17 February in New Delhi. Major announcements involving American loans for renewable projects, green bonds, and venture capital and pension funds are likely, after President Obama and PM Modi pledged to collaborate in the area of clean energy and to combat climate change.
MNRE officials are hopeful of big-ticket deals being negotiated next month during the RE-INVEST meet - a gathering of industry leaders, bankers, investors and central bank officials from the US, India, Europe and other regions. A team of senior US officials and executives from funding agencies, ministries and companies will interact with Indian officials from the finance ministry, the Reserve Bank of India and other agencies to help India meet its ambitious target.
The MNRE is determined to ensure that new renewable capacity is built with innovative and sustainable financing models, not with subsidies and handouts. The traditional subsidy-based model has resulted in 30,000 MWe in renewable capacity over decades. The government now wants a significantly larger and faster capacity addition.
India, being the world's third-largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, is facing pressure regarding climate change. Even though it is the voice of the world's developing countries in UN talks on climate change, India is reluctant to commit to emission targets on the grounds that this could impede its economic growth, which is vital to lifting millions of Indians out of poverty. Instead, Modi has made it a priority to expand India's clean energy capacity and reduce the reliance on polluting fossil fuels.
In that context, statements on climate by Obama and Modi to collaborate closely in the renewable sector will help not only achieve energy security but also help to fight climate change through clean energy projects, low gas emissions technologies and efficiency solutions, and thus help India in becoming a low-carbon economy, while fulfilling its developmental objectives.
The post US4 billion support from US for renewable energy in India appeared first on Intersect Insight.
