Category Archives: China

Achieving Global Consensus on PV Grid parity

Posted on February 20, 2011 | 3 Comments

Qualified Opinion Sources are kindly invited to express their opinion on a specific website: www.SolarGridParity.com

on the following debate:

By 2020 or earlier the installed costs for solar electricity systems will be reduced to US$1 per watt

Background: Due to strong incentives, mainly within the EU, global solar photovoltaic market has significantly grown during 2010, with the whole PV installed capacity having reached almost 40GW, or up 70% from nearly 23GW in 2009. The strong expansion in PV installations was mainly dominated by the European countries, with about 70% of the new solar power installations in 2010, with Germany leading the PV market accounting for almost 7GW and Italy with about 3GW, followed by Czech Republic (1.3GW), France (0.5GW), Spain (0.4), Belgium (0.25) and Greece (0.2). As for the main markets outside Europe, Japan PV market accounted for nearly 1GW, followed by the United States (0.8GW) and China (0.4GW).

The US administration and the Chinese government are both aiming at achieving price parity between solar electricity and fossil-based electricity without additional subsidies. Reaching this goal will establish the country’s technological leadership, improve the nation’s energy security, and strengthen economic competitiveness in the global clean energy race.

President Obama laid down a bold challenge to America in his State of the Union speech January 2011: “get to 80% clean energy by 2035.”

Ms. Eleni Despotou, Secretary General of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (www.interpv.net): “PV electricity would see its generation costs dropping to a range of 5 to 12 c / kWh by 2020, making it highly competitive with all peak generation technologies, and as low as 4 to 8c/kWh in 2030, making it also widely competitive with most mid-load generation technologies.”

 

On the other hand we hear every day: “Solar is too expensive” or “Variable costs related to permitting, inspection and interconnection are killing the solar industry’s ability to achieve speed and scale”.   .

Mr. Amnon Samid, CEO, The AGS group  (www.AGSpower.com):  “Encouraging investment only in PV systems will jeopardize the chances to develop a competitive solar thermal mini-grid distributed  generation solutions for electricity production, that may enjoy the advantages of PV systems, but offers also storage capabilities and hybrid, co-generation and on-site power production options, occupying less expensive land for extended use, making it competitive with base load generation technologies, representing an alternative for new generation capacity  in Sunbelt countries.”

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) SunShot Initiative aims to restore America’s once-dominant position in the global market for solar photovoltaic (PV), which has dwindled from 43% in 1995 to only 6% today. DOE estimates that if the installed costs for solar energy systems drop to $1 per watt — equivalent to a levelized cost of electricity of 5-6 cents per kilowatt hour — solar without subsidies would be competitive with the wholesale rate of electricity nearly everywhere in the U.S. The DOE intend to devote $200 million per year — to support a targeted roadmap to meet the SunShot goal by the end of the decade.

However, the “64 million dollar question” is:

Is it a realistic goal?

You are invited to express your professional opinion by answering three brief questions at: www.SolarGridParity.com

The BiPSA™ methodology aims to convert

Controversy-to-Consensus

www.BiPSA.com

 in collaboration with the AGS Group www.AGSpower.com

Promoting and enabling the incorporation of innovative clean energy technologies into the grid.

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Posted in Africa, Asia, China, Conferences, Europe, Israel, Politics, Technologies, U.S.

Evaluating whether clean energy technological breakthroughs are realistic for achieving grid parity & how can we make it happen?

Posted on February 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Key addressing on policy & implementation matters at the Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy conference Feb 2010 (*) as presented by Amnon Samid, Executive Chairman, the AGS group:

• Addressing the challenges of grid integration for renewables from the transmission perspective.

• Distributed energy generation as key to deploying advanced clean energy technologies.

• Adopting the grid to be able to integrate different unstable sources of energy, incorporate energy storage, distribution automation and distribution management systems and improving frequency stability of grids that incorporate remote clean energy sources.

• Applying smart grid vision globally – a global link which uses AC and DC transmissions.

• Is not it a shame wasting hundreds of millions during the last decade on subsidizing PV integrators, instead of investing these money in developing new technologies that will not require governmental incentives and replace all use of fossil fuel for electricity production and transportation?

• Presenting the ‘big picture’ beyond subsidies and feed-in tariffs – insight into the future of developing new technologies and evaluating whether technological breakthroughs are realistic for achieving grid parity and how we can make it happen (Manhattan-like clean energy projects).

Samid also encouraged Lenders to take the risks in financing renewable energy projects that are based on new technologies, which are not defined yet as “bankable”, while presenting the main risk factors and mitigation required:

 • Technology, which should be mitigated by proven design or tested Equipment (especially when it’s not a proven technology). • Suppliers, which should be mitigated by their references, track record, experience and financial strength and warrantees.

• EPC, which could be mitigated by performance guarantee and ongoing measurements of performance & degradation.

• Developers, especially their credibility, track record and risk profile.

• O&M, which should be mitigated by track record of the contractor, warranties for availability, performance guarantees & degradation, spare parts management and O&M budget.

• Operation strategy & Performance model for the lifetime of the project.

• Financial model, which should include exposure to risks involved in fluctuations in Interest rates, currencies rates, seasonal factors etc., while especially it’s important to make sure that low probability scenarios will still result in sufficient revenues to repay the loan.

 • Solar resources, especially the basis and accuracy of historic irradiation data and assessment of future irradiation data.

• Infrastructure, Permits and Licenses, including space constrains, access roads, availability of fossil fuels, water availability, flood protection, transmission facilities, geotechnical & environmental assessments.

• Revenue which is controlled by all the above and the Power Purchase Agreement [PPA].

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(*) The conference brought together major leaders on clean & renewable energy — technology experts, academic researchers, regulators, policy makers, consumers, financial experts, industry leaders, utilities, start-up companies along with influences from the US, Europe & Africa.

• Amnon Samid was moderating a panel with key decision makers analyzing the current situation of clean & renewable energy industry in Israel

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Posted in Africa, Asia, China, Conferences, Europe, Israel, Politics, Technologies

Clean Energy “Apollo project” (40 years to the success of the first Apollo project)

Posted on July 19, 2009 | Leave a comment

We should urgently pursue a project for developing  technologies that can make a difference, to get rid of world dependence on oil, with the same vigor that the U.S. pursued the famous “Apollo project” (tomorrow 40 years anniversary).

Every nation on this planet is at risk.  And just as no one nation is responsible for climate change, no one nation can address it alone.  ….And it is why we have gathered again here today. –President Barack Obama. 

 Al Gore:  There has never been a better time than now for making the change we need in dealing with the climate crisis …  This is truly a new era of hope and opportunity for our cause.

We welcome individuals to contribute their solutions, ideas, words, and images.

Stay alert: Details will come soon….Kick-off is expected in February 2010.

www.energysummit2010.com

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Posted in Africa, Asia, China, Conferences, Europe, Israel, Politics, Technologies, U.S.

U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue to be held July 27-28, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

Posted on July 18, 2009 | Leave a comment

Two-Day Meeting Co-Hosted by U.S Departments of State and Treasury to Focus on Addressing Mutual Challenges, Opportunities and Promoting U.S.-China Cooperation WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Treasury and State today announced that the first joint meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue will be held in Washington, D.C. from July 27-28, 2009.

The Dialogue will focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long-term strategic and economic interests. This first meeting of the Dialogue will also set the stage for intensive, ongoing and future bilateral cooperative mechanisms. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner will be joined for the Dialogue by their respective Chinese Co-Chairs, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan.

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Posted in China, Conferences, U.S.

Europe may loose PV leadership

Posted on July 1, 2009 | Leave a comment
The U.S. and China will soon pass Europe as the leading photovoltaics region. The factors determining these market dynamics will be price pressure and, in the case of the USA, political support for renewable energies, market researcher Frost & Sullivan finds.
 
MUNICH, Germany — The U.S. and China will soon pass Europe as the leading photovoltaics region. The factors determining these market dynamics will be price pressure and, in the case of the USA, political support for renewable energies, market researcher Frost & Sullivan finds.China will drive down the price for polysilicon and solar modules — with the effect that it will be able to strengthen its leading position as solar module supplier for global markets, a Frost & Sullivan study finds.

“When it comes to solar cells and modules, the Asian vendors are expanding aggressively,” said Frost & Sullivan Green Energy Research Manager Alina Bakhareva. “Low costs and increasingly technical expertise will help China to gain and increase its foothold in the global solar market. In particular European and Japanese competitors will suffer.”

Competition pressure will grow also from the side of the US which increasingly discover renewable energies as a future market. “The USA hitherto have used only a fraction of its huge potential,” Bakhareva stated. “They have all it takes to develop a strong and well diversified solar market.”

Europe clearly will lose market share, despite its advantages, the researcher said. When the competition heats up, the region can build on three important factors: A solid research landscape, competitive production and public incentives. These incentives however are decreasing, and the economy crisis with difficult access to capital will put smaller market participants such as retailers more under pressure than large projects. This will lead to what Frost & Sullivan calls a healthy slimming process. Nevertheless, the long-term trend towards renewable will remain unbroken, in particular towards solar energy.

In terms of local markets within Europe, Germany is seen to continue to have a strong position. Many large manufacturers currently are in the process of expanding their capacity or build new solar plants.

France, in contrast to Germany, tends to focus only on building-integrated PV applications since their operators are receiving the highest benefits due to the regulation situation. “While France achieved good growth rates over the past five years, we have the impression that the market would have developed better if politics would have treated all types of installations equally”, criticizes the Frost & Sullivan researcher.

While Spain also has become a major player in the solar game, public incentives have been reduced; Bakhareva estimates that the amount of new installations in 2009 will decline in comparison to 2008.

Italy and Greece are “sleeping giants”, the market sesearcher finds. The reason is that these countries have a high potential and attractive feed-in-tariffs. Administrative hurdles however keep the sleeping giants from unfolding their potential
 
 Source:
Christoph Hammerschmidt

Frost & Sullivan

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Posted in Asia, China, Europe, U.S.

First solar plane set for 30 days round-the-world trip in 2011

Posted on June 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

Jean Cai, VP Deutche Bank (China)

The plane, covered in almost 12,000 photovoltaic cells, has a wingspan of 63.4 meters, or roughly that of Airbus A340, and only weighs 1,600 kg, equivalent to that of a motor car. It is reported to be able to reach a flying speed of 70 km per hour.

A model of the Solar Impulse plane is exhibited in Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, where the Deutschland-Chinesische Promenade program, part of a Sino-German friendly exchange event, is being staged.

The prototype is to be unveiled to media on June 26 at Dubendorf airfield next to Zurich, Switzerland.

The ongoing Deutschland-Chinesische Promenade program is part of the Germany and China Moving Ahead Together, an event jointly launched by Germany and China in 2007 under the theme of “sustainable urbanization”.

The whole event is scheduled to conclude during the Shanghai World Expo next year.

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Posted in China, Europe, Technologies

$13.5 billion of new private investment went into companies developing and scaling-up new technologies

Posted on June 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

 Total transaction value in the sustainable energy sector during 2008 – including corporate acquisitions, asset re-financings and private equity buy-outs – was $223 billion, an increase of 7% over 2007. But capital raised via the public stock markets fell 51% to $11.4 billion as clean energy share prices lost 61% of their value during 2008. Investment in the second half of 2008 was down 17% on the first half, and down 23% on the final six months of 2007, a trend that has continued into 2009.

On a regional basis, investment in Europe in 2008 was $49.7 billion, a rise of 2%, and in North America was $30.1 billion, a fall of 8%. These regions experienced a slow-down in the financing of new renewable energy projects due to the lack of project finance and the fact that tax credit-driven markets are mostly ineffective in a downturn.

With developed country market growth stalled (down 1.7%), developing countries surged forward 27% over 2007 to $36.6 billion, accounting for nearly one third of global investments. China led new investment in Asia, with an 18% increase over 2007 to $15.6 billion, mostly in new wind projects, and some biomass plants.

Investment in India grew 12% to $4.1 billion in 2008. Brazil accounted for almost all renewable energy investment in Latin America in 2008, with ethanol receiving $10.8 billion, up 76% from 2007. Africa achieved a modest increase by comparison, with investments up 10% to approximately $1.1 billion.

 Source: UNEP

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Posted in Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Technologies, U.S.

“We have the largest monolithically interconnected CIGS module on polyimide”

Posted on June 18, 2009 | Leave a comment

 Dr. Prem Nath , Ascent Solar Sr. Vice President for Production Operations

 Ascent Solar Technologies a developer of CIGS thin-film PV announced 5 meter long flexible light weight module on a polyimide substrate with aperture area efficiency of 9.1%

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules with substrate materials that can be more flexible and affordable than most traditional solar panels. Ascent Solar modules can be directly integrated into electronics, military and consumer portable power products, transportation systems, building elements, and space / near-space applications resulting in market differentiated solutions. Ascent Solar is headquartered in Thornton, Colo.

[Paula Mints, Navigant Consulting]:We have to take into consideration that thin films are facing difficult times, as are crystalline technologies. The assumed price advantage (because of assumed lower manufacturing costs) continues to evaporate. In this difficult competitive environment only First Solar, with the photovoltaic industry’s assumed lowest manufacturing costs, can compete. In particular, when First Solar acts as the system integrator and designer as it often does, its module advantage (installing at cost plus transfer costs) renders other technologies non-competitive.

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Posted in China, Technologies, U.S.

“We need to recognize that if we aren’t careful, we may spend the next few years chasing China to do more, but then spend all the years after that chasing them”

Posted on June 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

Todd Stern

The top climate change envoy for President Barack Obama warned, before heading to Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterparts this week that the US could fall behind China.

The US team is pressing China to do more in terms of slowing the growth in emissions. They are right. Regardless of the massive “new energy” investment, the country will remain dependent on coal and pump out more greenhouse gas than other nations for decades to come. True to its ability to produce superlatives and contradictions, China is likely to be both a black and a green superpower at the same time.

But the new energy plans may change the perceptions and parameters of the climate debate. While a proper assesment must wait until the details are released, the stimulus package ought to force Europe and the US to be more ambitious. The world might finally start to see a race to the top rather than the bottom.

Source:  The Guardian.

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Posted in China, Technologies, Thoughts, U.S.

China makes renewable power play to be world’s first green superpower

Posted on June 12, 2009 | Leave a comment

Jonathan Watts

The State Council, China’s cabinet, will soon release the details of a staggeringly large “new energy” programme that could propel the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter past Europe and the US into a global leader in renewable energy and low-carbon technology.

The size of the energy stimulus has not yet been revealed, but reports in the domestic media and from foreign diplomats suggest between 1.4 trillion (US$200 bn) and 4.5 trillion yuan (US$600bn) will be invested over the next ten years in nuclear power plants, solar and wind farms, hydroelectric dams, “green transport”, “clean coal” and super efficient electric grids.

China already makes most of the world’s solar panels and wind turbines. Its carmakers, such as BYD, are pushing ahead faster than established Japanese and American rivals to mass produce electric vehicles. Its carbon capture technology and high-efficiency “ultrasupercritical” coal plants are close to the global cutting edge. With the new package, the government will commit itself to developing domestic markets for these “sunrise” industries. 

The speed at which the country can move has already been shown in the wind sector, where installed capacity has been doubling every year. According to Changhua Wu, director of the Climate Group’s China operations, the pace will be quicker for solar. “They are learning from best practice. It took 15 years to do it in the wind sector. They want to go more quickly now.”

The government’s targets for wind power have already risen threefold, solar is likely to go up two to fourfold and nuclear sixfold. Overall, China will raise its target for renewables from 15 per cent of total energy by 2020, possibly even surpassing Europe’s goal of 20 per cent by that date. By that time, China should also have a super high voltage grid.

Source: The Guardian.

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Posted in China, Technologies