solar

Roof-mounted solar panels to be made compulsory throughout the EU

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The EU’s new solar energy strategy, just unveiled, envisions solar panels on all residential roofs throughout Europe as of 2029, according to the REPowerEU plan.

The initiative for compulsory roof-mounted solar panel installations will begin with public and commercial buildings in 2026, followed by private homes in 2029.

As part of the plan, the EU has called for roof-mounted PV licensing procedures to be restricted to no more than three months, as well as for new buildings with specifications enabling solar-panel hosting.

EU member states will need to remove any obstacles preventing further RES expansion, while municipalities with populations of more than 10,000 will need to establish at least one energy community as of 2025. Also, low-income households and persons with special needs will need to be given access to energy communities.

The EU plan for roof-mounted solar panels is expected to add 19 TWh from the first year of development and 58 TWh by 2025.

 

 

 

Brussels promoting energy savings, consumer support extension

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The European Commission is expected to present a plan tomorrow including proposals for energy savings, an end to Europe’s reliance on Russian energy sources, as well as support measures for consumers.

The consumer support measures could need to be extended for a longer period, stretching beyond June 30, 2022, according to the proposals.

A draft of the plan, obtained by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, notes that a reduction in energy demand as a result of a voluntary change in consumer habits, as well as through energy-efficiency fast-track measures, promises to lessen the shortage of Russian oil and gas should Moscow decide to disrupt supply to Europe.

For the short term, the Brussels proposals focus on cooling options concerning households as well as transportation choices, all voluntary. Reduced reliance on private vehicles, lower driving speeds, as well as avoidance of air-conditioning system usage in rooms not in use are among the proposals.

Emphasis is also placed on the use of solar energy at buildings, now more critical than ever before, the Brussels proposals note.

The European Commission’s proposals will be discussed at an EU summit on May 30 and 31 in an effort by leaders to reach common decisions.

 

 

Freeze on new RES connection terms throughout Greece

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An energy ministry draft bill for a second round of RES licensing simplification measures will freeze, throughout Greece, RES grid connection applications accepted as well as connection terms that would otherwise be offered by distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO for pending new RES projects until RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, has approved the operator’s plan for a grid capacity increase.

However, even when this grid capacity boost is approved by RAE, very few RES projects will be able to make progress as a minimal number of existing substations currently have minimum capacities of 10 MW, a draft bill prerequisite for distribution of capacity percentages concerning grid connections of small and medium-sized projects.

RAE does not face any time limits for its approval of the grid capacity boost. Officials fear the delay could last months. Until RAE’s approval, DEDDIE/HEDNO will only accept RES project applications and offer connection terms for net-metering systems, virtual net-metering as well as roof-mounted solar panels.

Unlimited bidding system to also apply for next RES auction

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A continual bidding system offering RES auction participants an unlimited number of bids, used for previous sessions, will continue to apply for the next auction, the first to be held under a revised support framework for the sector’s wind and solar energy projects.

Prior to this decision, energy ministry officials had considered limiting bids, for project tariffs, to one per session for investors, from the next RES auction onwards. This one-off bidding system will now be reexamined at a latter date.

Other changes will be introduced as of the next RES auction, including different starting prices for wind and solar energy projects as installation costs for the two RES technologies nowadays differ.

Energy minister Kostas Skrekas recently informed that tariffs for a total capacity of 1,000 MW would be offered at the next RES auction. The ministry, he added, intends to stage one further RES auction within 2022, also for 1,000 MW.

SPEF: PV costs up 30-75%, tariff reduction thoughts must be abandoned

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Solar panel prices were up 30 percent for orders placed in March compared to a year earlier, while prices for AC cables, also used for solar panel installations, are as much as 75 percent higher compared to levels in 2019 and 2020, Dr. Stelios Loumakis, president of SPEF, the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers, has pointed out.

In response to these higher costs, the SPEF president called on authorities to abandon any thoughts of reduced tariffs for new solar energy projects currently being developed.

Installation costs for XT/MT substations have also risen considerably, up by 20 percent over the past year, according to Dr. Loumakis.

In addition, power grid operator IPTO’s connection term costs have also risen to levels double those of a few years earlier.

These connection term increases are not exclusively linked to higher-priced equipment but also to network upgrades being carried out by IPTO in order to boost capacity, projects whose cost is passed on to investors.

Solar, wind energy facility installation costs up over 30%

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Solar and wind energy park installation costs have risen considerably, internationally, since early 2021, driven higher by the pandemic’s impact on the global economy, supply chain and labor,  unfavorable market developments now exacerbated by the impact of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to a new study conducted by LevelTen Energy, monitoring RES sector transactions worldwide, installation costs last year rose by 28.5 percent in North America and by 27.5 percent in Europe, and have continued rising this year, up 9.7 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively, taking the average RES installation cost to 57 euros per MWh.

These unfavorable developments have wiped out RES sector gains achieved over the past decade or so, during which RES installation costs have fallen.

Steel prices in Europe skyrocketed to 1,650 euros per ton in March, up from 1,100 euros per ton last October, and have since eased slightly to levels of around 1,400 euros per ton.

The increased RES costs come as a challenge to the EU’s objective for major RES growth as a means of achieving climate-change targets and drastically reducing Europe’s reliance on natural gas.

Despite these price increases, the cost of RES-based electricity generation still remains far lower than that of fossil fuel-generated electricity.

 

Major RES input lowers electricity price to near zero Sunday afternoon

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Greatly increased renewable energy contributions – covering over 80 percent of demand – during yesterday’s weekend siesta hours of 2pm to 5pm pushed down the wholesale electricity price to virtually zero, or 0.09 euros per MWh.

RES input reached approximately 5 GW (wind and solar energy units), while demand was limited to just over 6 GW, enabling authorities to withdraw from the market lignite and gas-fired power stations.

On the same day, when RES input eventually fell and gas-fired power station contributions were brought back into the grid, the electricity price level rebounded to 283 euros per MWh by the evening.

The wholesale electricity price averaged 168.22 euros per MWh on Sunday, a 27 percent reduction compared to Saturday.

Similar price fluctuations were also recorded in other parts of Europe over the weekend. Negative prices were recorded in Germany and the Netherlands, at -2.49 euros per MWh, and they were even lower in Belgium, at -17.97 euros per MWh. These negative prices essentially mean that consumers are paid to use electricity.

Today, electricity market conditions are back to the ongoing energy crisis’ normal levels. The average wholesale electricity price is at 243.08 euros per MWh, up 44.5 percent compared to yesterday, despite RES input representing 51.1 percent of the energy mix.

JinkoSolar delivers over 500,000 modules for Kozani project, one of Europe’s biggest

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JinkoSolar, one of the largest and most innovative solar module manufacturers in the world, has announced that it has delivered its bifacial modules to a 204-MW Solar Power Plant in Kozani, northern Greece.

The Kozani project consists of 18 project sites adding up to a total capacity of 204 MW. JinkoSolar has delivered more than 500,000 bifacial modules to juwi Hellas Renewable Energy Sources S.A.

The Kozani project, inaugurated yesterday, will deliver up to 320 million kilowatt-hours per annum when fully ramped up, supplying electricity to more than 75,000 households. The Kozani project is one of the largest bifacial projects ever built in Europe.

Mr. Frank Niendorf, General Manager of JinkoSolar Europe, commented: “We are delighted that juwi Hellas, one of the leading renewable energy specialists globally, has once again placed their trust in the superior quality and reliable performance of our solar modules for this impressive mega project in Greece. The Kozani project has become Europe’s benchmark for renewable energy. It is also one of the largest bifacial projects ever built in Europe, and JinkoSolar is very proud to be a part of such an important milestone for our industry.”

Mr. Dimitris Varlamis, JinkoSolar Head of Sales for South Eastern Europe, commented: “We are very proud to contribute to this emblematic project which is by far the biggest solar energy project in Greece and one of the largest project in Europe featuring our high-performance bifacial modules. We would like to thank juwi Hellas, and HELPE for their trust in JinkoSolar and we look forward to a long-term strategic partnership with the juwi team.”

 

Sweden’s OX2 buys 500-MW RES portfolio, eyeing further moves

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Swedish company OX2 has acquired wind and solar energy projects in Greece with a total capacity of 500 MW, a development that serves as a reminder of the steadily growing interest of European and international investors in the country’s RES market.

OX2 already possesses an extensive past in the Greek market, having collaborated with local companies to develop RES projects offering a total capacity in excess of 4 GW, the Swedish company has pointed out.

Further details on the deal’s seller, or sellers, have not been disclosed, but it is understood OX2’s acquisition concerns projects that are currently at different stages of development in various parts of Greece.

The Swedish company is preparing to assemble a team in Greece comprised of personnel from the Greek market as well as employees already with the company, sources have informed energypress.

OX2 plans to also examine further investment opportunities in the Greek market and is eyeing offshore wind farm, energy storage and hydrogen-related investments, a top-ranked company official has told energypress.

“Greece is a very interesting market for OX2. Approximately 20 percent of energy consumed is imported and 15TWh of lignite-fired power will be replaced by 2028,” noted Paul Stormoen, chief executive officer at OX2. “The country has strong sources, serious prospects for development of green energy projects, and plans to install over 5 GW in solar units and more than 3 GW in wind units by 2030. OX2 is aiming for a long-term presence and can accelerate the energy transition by utilizing its high expertise in the development of RES projects,” he continued.

Last year, OX2 formed subsidiaries in Romania and Italy and also developed a solar energy hub in Spain. The company is active in ten European markets.

 

RES project applications over 2030 limit, halt considered

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RES investor applications submitted to power grid operator IPTO for connection terms concerning wind and solar energy facilities already greatly exceed the grid’s planned capacity for 2030, by 10 GW, taking into account prospective grid infrastructure upgrades.

This excess capacity has prompted the energy ministry to consider suspending the submission of any new applications until authorities have found solutions to manage the accumulation of project applications already submitted.

IPTO has completed its assessment of applications concerning 2020 and has offered connection terms to successfully applicants.

The operator is now preparing to process applications lodged in 2021 and during the first quarter of 2022.

The current total capacity of RES projects, either already operating or which have received connection terms up until the end of 2020, is 19.6 GW.

Applications submitted in 2021 and so far in 2022, all of which need to be evaluated, represent a total capacity of 19 GW.

Greece’s updated National Energy and Climate Plan has projected an installed RES capacity of 25 GW by 2030.

Taking into account all grid expansion projects included in the ten-year investment plans of IPTO and DEDDIE/HEDNO, the distribution network operator, as well as national and transboundary grid interconnection plans, plus anticipated energy storage projects, the country’s RES capacity will reach a maximum of 28.5 GW in 2030.

 

Brussels draft backs urgent gas storage refill for next winter

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EU member state leaders are expected to back a European Commission draft calling for an immediate refill of gas storage facilities throughout the EU, in preparation for next winter, when they meet at a summit next week, scheduled for March 24 and 25.

“Refilling of gas storage across the Union should start now. Member States and the Commission will urgently coordinate measures necessary to ensure adequate levels of gas storage before the next winter”, notes a draft prepared for the imminent summit, Reuters has reported.

The European Commission will propose rules by next month requiring EU countries to collectively ensure gas stores are at least 90 percent full by October 1 each year. The EU’s current gas storage facilities are currently 26 percent full.

The European Commission plans to present, in May, a detailed roadmap to EU member states for a drastic reduction of Russian natural gas, oil and coal imports by 2027.

A preliminary plan announced last week includes measures such as an increase of LNG imports, as well as tripled wind and solar energy capacity, installed, in the EU by 2030.

 

 

Smaller, bigger solar energy investors face differing prospects

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Smaller and major-scale solar energy investors face differing prospects amid RES investment opportunities offered by extremely higher wholesale electricity prices as these opportunities are being largely offset by higher equipment costs.

Sharply higher wholesale electricity prices have generated stronger investment opportunities for bigger RES investors, while, for smaller players, these prospects are being dampened by higher RES equipment costs, severely diminishing their more modest profit margins.

Demand for solar panels has surged around Europe in recent times, pushing up prices. The cost of solar panel mounting systems has also risen as a result of recent sanctions imposed on Russian steel exports, which have driven steel prices higher.

Solar panel prices had begun falling early in 2022 following a period of pandemic-related increases, but are now rising again with no price de-escalation seen in the short term, RES sector officials have projected.

 

RES producer certificate applications up in February

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RES producer certificate applications rebounded in the February cycle to reach a total of 221 for a capacity of 3,196 MW, more than three times the capacity of the previous cycle, last October, whose slowdown was prompted by a new regulation requiring letters of guarantee worth 35,000 euros per MWh to accompany applications.

Net-metering and green PPA prospects are believed to be the main driving forces behind this elevated RES interest.

A total of 127 RES producer certificate applications representing a total capacity of 960 MW were submitted in October.

Of the February cycle’s 221 applications, 73 concern solar energy projects representing a total capacity of 1,833 MW. These applications include a number of exceptionally big projects, such as a 300-MW solar energy park in Thessaly, central Greece, as well as a 250-MW project in the mainland.

Wind energy projects followed with 70 applications totaling 1,118 MW. A prospective 315-MW wind energy farm planned for the Peloponnese is the biggest among these applications, followed by a 147.5-MW facility in Greece’s northeast.

Small-scale hydropower unit applications also figured prominently in the February cycle, reaching 66 for a total of 52.8 MW.

The February cycle also included 7 applications for hybrid RES units totaling 124 MW, as well as 5 applications for biomass units with a total capacity of 18.5 MW.

ELPE acquires 303-MW PV project, 16 MW of units in operation

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Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) has acquired a new solar energy facility with a 303-MW capacity, currently at the licensing stage, and also added to the company portfolio 16 additional MW of RES units now in operation, both dynamic moves made as part of the energy group’s strategy for further RES growth.

More specifically, ELPE has just signed an agreement with RES development company FEN SOL for the 303-MW solar facility, consisting of two solar energy farms at Meliti, in northern Greece’s Florina area.

In its other big move, ELPE has acquired solar parks offering a total of 16 MW in the Viotia area, northwest of Athens, from Trina Solar. These projects, already functioning, have secured tariff levels at very satisfactory price levels.

In addition, ELPE is also moving ahead with licensing procedures for a further 20 MW and has completed its development of a major-scale solar energy park with a 204-MW capacity in Kozani, northern Greece. The company now expects power grid operator IPTO to soon connect this project to the grid.

The Kozani project’s addition to the grid will increase ELPE’s capacity of operating RES units to a total of nearly 300 MW, chief executive Andreas Siamisiis noted during a presentation of the group’s annual financial results.

Ministry preparing non-auction tariff deadline extension for investors

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Investors behind solar and wind energy projects planning to secure non-auction tariffs for their projects will be given extensions beyond an upcoming February 28 deadline, based on a legislative revision being prepared by the energy ministry for ratification, energypress sources have informed.

Energy minister Kostas Skrekas has decided to extended the non-auction tariff deadline for investors in acknowledgment of major project development delays prompted by supply chain disruptions on a worldwide scale, as well as construction issues that were faced by investors following problems caused by a recent extreme weather system that severely affected the country’s ability to operate.

However, the deadline extension to be granted to investors through the upcoming revision is not expected to be extensive. The energy ministry has been contemplating granting a one-month extension, but a greater time period is now considered highly likely.

 

Small-scale solar energy project interest declines

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RES project applications submitted to distribution network operator DEDDIE/HEDNO by small to medium-sized investors have dropped dramatically over the past year, following a surge in interest, subdued by lower tariffs offered for green energy, a rise in the cost of RES equipment purchases, as well the increased incidence of connection-term application rejections by the operator.

The biggest decrease in applications concerns the solar energy sector as the aforementioned factors only just make smaller-scale PV investments feasible and far less attractive prospects than in the past.

Applications submitted to DEDDIE/HEDNO concern RES projects that are to be connected to the low and medium-voltage networks and which have capacities of up to 8 MW.

It is the first time such a dip in solar project applications has occurred since a resurgence in investment interest early in 2018.

According to data provided by SPEF, Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Energy Producers, for an energypress survey, 98 percent of RES project applications submitted to DEDDIE/HEDNO between 2018 and 2021 concerned solar energy systems, 78.2 percentage of these with capacities of up to 500 kW and 98.5 percent with capacities of up to 1 MW.

 

Roof-mounted PV generation promises savings amid the energy crisis

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Investing in a household solar panel system, based on two alternatives offered by the state, the solar panels on roofs program and net metering, promises to offer consumers energy cost savings of between 5,800 and 10,000 euros.

Electricity generated by solar panels and injected entirely into the grid through the solar panels on roofs program is sold at a rate of 87 euros per MWh over a twenty-year period.

In the case of net metering, the network is essentially utilized like an energy storage system for energy not consumed the moment it is generated. Photovoltaic production injected into the grid is offset with electricity the system’s holder consumes from the network.

The solar panels on roofs program is a better option for households with small and occasional consumption patters, such as holiday homes.

 

 

 

Survey Digital, Alfen establish Field Service partnership

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“Survey Digital Photovoltaics SA (Athens, Greece), an expert company in renewable energy and power electronics, and Alfen (Almere, The Netherlands), an expert company in electricity grid and EV charging technology, have announced a Field Service partnership for the Greek territory, starting with Athens and Thessaloniki.

Survey Digital engineers have received technical training from ALFEN in order to execute Field Service activities in accordance with OEM specifications. This will mark the beginning of ALFEN’s ambitious growth throughout Greece in EV charging supported by SD’s extensive experience and knowledge of the Greek market.

“We are thrilled about our new collaboration and we are honored to enter a new era in electromobility, with a company that has such expertise and magnitude”, said Dr. Kostis Daniilidis, Managing Partner of Survey Digital Photovoltaics SA.

“Survey Digital has shown themselves as a reliable partner in this young EV-charging industry. We are looking forward to expanding the market together in Greece providing top customer support towards our Alfen customers”, said Eric Boers, Manager Global Service Operations Alfen Charging Equipment.

‘EC to announce separate support system for offshore windfarms in 1Q ‘22’

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The European Commission will announce a separate support system for offshore windfarms in the first quarter of 2022, the energy ministry’s secretary-general Alexandra Sdoukou has informed in a Euractiv interview, indicating this will facilitate Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ recently announced objective for an additional 2 GW in offshore wind farms by 2030.

Greece, which plans to withdraw all lignite facilities by 2028, will greatly depend on the addition of new RES units to replace the resulting capacity loss, Sdoukou noted.

The country plans to double its wind and solar energy capacity by 2030 so that the RES sector can represent 64 percent of Greece’s total electricity generation, the official pointed out.

A series of measures boosting the trust of local communities to host wind energy facilities will be needed, Sdoukou said, admitting resistance at local level has risen along with a growing recognition by the public of the advantages offered by wind turbines for eco-friendly energy.

Single-bid limit, different starting prices at new RES auctions

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The country’s new RES auctions, mixed sessions, which were approved last week by the European Commission for 2022 to 2025, will feature a number of key changes, including an entirely different bidding system entitling investors to just one bid for their projects instead of a succession of descending bids, as has been the case until now.

The energy ministry believes this revised bidding system will lead to a further reduction in tariff levels for projects.

In another important change, the new mixed RES auctions will feature separate starting prices for solar and wind technologies, instead of one price for both, as the two technologies have different installation costs.

The new regulations will also ensure that each of the two RES technologies will be represented by at least 30 percent of the capacity on offer as both solar and wind are considered vital for the energy mix.

In another key change, the new regulations will impose representation limits on players.

Approximately 3 GW of 4.2 GW in new RES projects are planned to be remunerated through the new mixed RES auctions.

The energy ministry is planning to announce a first auction, offering tariffs for 600 MW, by the end of the year so that it may be staged in March, 2022.

Technology-specific RES auctions have not been ruled out by the European Commission if an appropriate balance in tariffs for wind and solar energy units is not achieved through the mixed RES auctions.

Wind, solar energy tariffs for 3 GW through new RES auctions

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Approximately 3 GW of 4.2 GW in new RES projects to be remunerated through mixed RES auctions approved by the European Commission earlier this week will concern land-based wind and solar energy facilities, according to energypress sources.

The energy ministry is planning to announce a first auction, offering tariffs for 600 MW, by the end of the year so that it may be staged in March, 2022.

The ministry aims to offer tariffs for a total of 1 GW in wind and solar energy units in 2022, through mixed RES auctions, as was announced earlier in the week.

Technology-specific RES auctions have not been ruled out if an appropriate balance in tariffs for wind and solar energy units is not achieved through the mixed RES auctions, Brussels has pointed out.

 

 

Mixed RES auction in March, tariffs for 600-MW total

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Local energy authorities plan to officially announce, by the year’s end, a mixed RES auction under new terms just approved by the European Commission for an inaugural March session to offer tariffs to new land-based wind and solar energy facilities with a total capacity of 600 MW.

The new Brussels-approved terms will remain valid until 2025, the aim being to offer tariffs to RES and CCHP (combined cooling, heat and power) units totaling 4.2 GW over 20-year contracts.

It has yet to be specified how this capacity will be divided. The total cost of the remuneration plan is estimated at 2.27 billion euros.

The 600-MW capacity planned for the March session could be increased if officials deem that a sufficient number of new RES projects have reached maturity levels for tariffs.

A total of 1 GW in new RES projects are planned to receive tariffs in 2022, while, to facilitate proceedings, participants will lodge applications and supporting documents in a one-step process.

 

 

New household solar program to offer €87/MWh for 25 years

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The energy ministry has taken a first step towards implementing a new RES program dubbed “Solar Panels on Roofs”, to offer households fixed tariffs of 87 euros per MWh over 25-year contracts, by including a relevant provision to a draft bill designed to adopt EU directives concerning energy efficiency. The bill was submitted to Greek Parliament last night for ratification.

An ensuing ministerial decision will specify conditions and terms, including beneficiaries, the offer’s duration, maximum capacities per installation, the licensing process and necessary supporting documents, as well net metering details.

The program’s 87-euro tariff on offer had been announced through a ministerial decision delivered back in March, 2020.

The energy ministry appears to have decided on setting a maximum capacity of 10 kWp per installation, up from a level of 6 kWp previously noted in a ministerial decision, sources have informed.

A 10 kWp solar panel system remunerated at 87 euros per MWh would generated annual revenue of 1,200 euros. At current prices, installing such a system would cost between 10,000 and 11,000 euros, including VAT, meaning the investment would require approximately eight years to break even before offering an annual income of 1,200 euros for the remainder of the 25-year contract, roughly 17 years.

PPC Renewables, RWE set to finalize PV partnership today

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PPC Renewables, a power utility PPC subsidiary, and Germany’s RWE Renewables are expected to seal their joint venture agreement today, paving the way for the development of solar energy projects to offer a total capacity of nearly 2 GW, energypress sources have informed.

PPC Renewables will contribute 940 MW in PV projects, planned to be developed at the location of the Amynteo lignite mines in northern Greece. The company has already secured a first batch of environmental permits for these projects.

RWE will offer producer certificate licenses bought from Greek company IDEA. These licenses are for two solar farms with respective capacities of approximately 700 and 300 MW.

The joint venture plans to start with the Amynteo projects, their development expected to begin in the first half of 2022. PPC Renewables has already formed nine special purpose vehicles for these projects.

RWE Renewables, holding a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, has established a subsidiary in Greece, RWE Greece, currently being staffed.

PPC’s board had approved the agreement between the two partners in February.

Local PV market grounded by China’s sharply reduced output

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A drastic reduction in output of solar module panels by Chinese manufacturers, prompted by electricity shortages in the country as well as limited availability of PV materials, is heavily impacting RES sector investors in Greece.

Numerous local investors who had placed PV orders quite some time ago have been informed, by Chinese manufacturers, of delays for indefinite periods. Developers face the same problem.

PV prices have surge amid the extraordinary conditions making it extremely tricky, if not impossible, for Chinese manufacturers to price their products.

The energy crisis in China has forced the government to impose electricity consumption limits on industrial producers, which has hampered their operating capacity.

In response, many large-scale PV producers in China have chosen to suspend their operations, deeming as unfeasible the prospect of producing for a limited number of hours per day.

Five of the country’s PV producers, Longi, Jinko, Trina, JA and Risen, have issued a joint statement noting that, under the current conditions, their output cannot exceed 70 percent of capacity.

 

China shortages up PV prices, investment plans in jeopardy

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Solar panel prices have registered further price increases over the past week, driven higher by electricity shortages and higher coal costs in China, the world’s dominant solar module manufacturer.

The price escalation, decreased production and delivery delays are jeopardizing solar energy investment plans, including in Greece, where RES investors are in danger of missing crucial sector deadlines and face growing pressure because of the solar module price ascent.

The price of polysilicon, used as a raw material by the solar photovoltaic industry, rose by 8.6 percent in China, according to PV-Infolink, adding to the upward trajectory of the past month, which is forecast to continue.

In the Modules market, 360-370/435-445W Mono-facial Mono PERC prices were up 2.1 percent last week, while 182mm Mono-facial Mono PERC and 210mm Mono-facial Mono PERC prices rose by 2 percent.

As for glass, 3.2mm sheet prices rose by 3.8 percent and 2mm sheet prices increased by 5 percent.

PV-Infolink has projected further price increases next week, in excess of 3 percent, for all PV materials, except glass.

Solar module manufacturer Amerisolar, a US brand with production facilities in China, Taiwan and the USA, noted, in an announcement, that the current situation is expected to continue into October given the fact that China’s solar module production capacity is currently at just 50 percent.

Also, the delay in deliveries by Chinese producers is a concern ahead of the anticipated end-of-year spike in orders, a customary market trend.

 

Huawei Wins WWF Climate Solver Award 2020

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Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, was awarded the WWF Climate Solver  award 2020 for its world leading FusionSolar Smart PV solution at Climate Action Week – 2021 Zero Carbon Mission International Climate Summit, co-organized by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Phoenix TV.

This year’s Summit officially launched the annual Carbon Neutrality Action Leadership Award, which, based on the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the UN-supported Race to Zero initiative, was designed to recognize individuals, teams and projects with outstanding performance in business commitment, innovation in technology, actions that produce results, and impactful communications, with the aim of encouraging companies to take actions that help mitigate climate change, driving various industries to set up emission reduction targets, and setting an example for taking such actions.

The Carbon Neutrality Actor – Climate Solver of the Year award is a key component of the Carbon Neutrality Action Leadership Award, and is based on the WWF Climate solver program, an annual program launched in China in 2011. It aims to create favorable conditions for the promotion of climate technologies with revolutionary potential by identifying and selecting innovative low-carbon technologies, so as to contribute to the realization of the goal of keeping global average temperature rise below 2℃.

Since its launch in 2011, the award has recognized 34 innovative low-carbon technologies. Applications for the 2020-2021 Climate Solver Award opened in December 2020 and closed in March of this year. After rigorous compliance review, primary election, two rounds of evaluation by experts, accounting of emission reduction potential and on-site replies, the Huawei FusionSolar Smart PV solution was selected as the winner from a host of candidates.

This year’s selection criteria were particularly stringent. The on-site reply session examined not only the level of technical advance (20%), the economics (20%) and the maturity (15%) of the candidate technologies, but also their ecological and environmental benefits, growth potential and social benefits, accounting for 20%, 15% and 10% of the overall score, respectively.

As of June 30, 2021, Huawei Digital Power had helped customers generate 403.4 billion kWh of electricity with green energy, saving 12.4 billion kWh of electricity consumption and reducing CO2 emissions by 200 million tons, equivalent to planting 270 million trees.

The Summit, under the theme of “Global Carbon Neutrality and China’s Role”, invited more than 70 guests, including Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States; Tu Ruihe, the representative of UNEP China Office; Jia Feng, Director of the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Environmental Protection; and Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, to discuss topics including global carbon neutrality, corporate resolve for achieving climate goals, green finance, energy transformation, green building and low-carbon transportation. The event aims to bring together resources, fully mobilize corporate engagement in addressing climate change, and provide diverse guidance and services such as strategic planning, technology application, results demonstration, knowledge sharing and international exchanges for local governments and enterprises to achieve the goals for peak CO2 emissions and carbon neutrality.

Founded in 1987, Huawei has more than 197,000 employees and operates in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.

PPC Renewables, RWE set to finalize joint venture agreement

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PPC Renewables, a power utility PPC subsidiary, and Germany’s RWE Renewables are expected to finalize a joint-venture agreement at the beginning of October for solar energy projects in Greece to offer a total capacity of nearly 2 GW.

PPC Renewables plans to contribute to the joint venture 940 MW in solar energy projects at Amynteo, the northern Greece location hosting 4,360 hectares in company lignite fields to be repurposed as part of the decarbonization effort. The Greek company has already received a first round of environmental permits.

RWE Renewables is at the final stage of its search for solar energy projects to total 1 GW.

The two partners will begin their collaboration with the Amynteo project. They plan to begin its development in the first half of 2022. PPC Renewables has established nine special purpose vehicles for these projects.

RWE Renewables, holding a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, has already established a Greek subsidiary, RWE Greece, currently being staffed.

Talks between PPC Renewables and RWE Renewables have intensified since early summer. The respective company heads, Konstantinos Mavros and Katja Wünschel, discussed the prospective partnership at the recent 5th Greek-German Economic Forum, while RWE officials have also visited Athens for negotiations.

Assessment of June cycle producer certificate bids by end of month

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The assessment by RAE, the Regulatory Authority of Energy, of RES production certificate applications submitted to the June cycle is progressing and should be completed by the end of September, energypress sources have informed.

Barring no complications, such as overlapping RES property issues, applicants should receive related emails by early October requesting payment of producer certificate fees to DAPEEP, the RES market operator. Successful applicants will be given 20 day-periods to pay this fee.

A total of 743 applications for RES units representing a total capacity of 17.4 GW were submitted to RAE for the June cycle, the authority has announced. Solar energy units, totaling 302 and representing 12.8 GW, were the cycle’s dominant RES technology, followed by wind energy units, reaching 290 in total for 4.2 GW.

Meanwhile, RAE is preparing to establish a 35,000-euro letter of guarantee as a prerequisite for applications, this measure’s objective being to limit applications to RES investors with serious intentions.

The authority launched a brief public consultation procedure on Friday. It concludes tomorrow, paving the way for the energy ministry’s draft bill for the letter of guarantee measure’s implementation.

 

Longer wait for small-scale PV investors in desaturated areas

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Investors behind new small-scale PV units planned for Crete, the Peloponnese, Evia and the Cyclades, now desaturated following recent measures, will need to wait until around November, at least, to submit applications for connection terms as a pending ministerial decision needed for the launch of a DEDDIE/HEDNO distribution network operator platform accepting applications is not expected any sooner than October, energypress sources have informed.

As a result, investors behind small-scale PV units planned for Crete, the Peloponnese, Evia and the Cyclades, areas where RES capacity has become available following a legislative revision ratified in July, will need to wait for a longer period than had been originally announced.

Besides launching the applications platform, the pending ministerial decision will also provide details on letters of guarantee to accompany applications, as well as any other information or supporting documents.

July’s legislative revision made available 86 MW in the Peloponnese, 45 MW in the Cyclades, including 15 MW for net metering, 40 MW in Evia, and 140 MW in Crete, including 40 MW for net metering.

Maximum capacity levels of 400 KW have been set for PV units in these areas, except for Evia, where the limit is 1 MW.

These projects will secure tariffs based on an official price catalogue for non-competitive procedures. The energy ministry does not plan to make any revisions to this price list in the near future, meaning small-scale PVs that are operating or have declared a readiness to operate between March 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, will secure feed-in tariffs at 63 euros per MWh.