First of all, let me put out a side note that I think is very important: every major energy source in the world has been tremendously subsidized by governments. In fact, oil, gas, coal, and nuclear continue to receive insane subsidies. Many of those subsidies are typical government subsidies. However, we also subsidies these energy sources with the health problems we suffer, premature death, and decreases in quality of life. Solar doesn’t get such subsidies.
So, when we talk about unsubsidized solar, we’re talking about a breakthrough in unsubsidized energy as a whole. This is not just new to solar. This is new to energy.
For news on the largest private rooftop solar development initiative in Latin America, an initiative in Mexico that will use unsubsidized solar, check out this Solar Love repost:
Tiendas Soriana, which is apparently Mexico’s second-largest retailer, is embarking on Latin America’s largest distributed (rooftop solar) development project.
Mexico is a hot solar market, as is Latin America as a whole. Mexico’s tremendous solar resources combined with record-low solar prices have opened the doors to strong solar growth in the country. This 31-megawatt (MW) solar project will be “completely unsubsidized and market-driven.” It will put solar panels on the roofs of 120 of Soriana’s 600+ stores. The projects will use Hanwha Q CELLS, and Hanwha Q CELLS is an equity investor. Hanwha Q CELLS reportedly has a strong pipeline of other distributed solar projects in Latin America as well.
Soriana’s solar projects are projected to cut the company’s energy bills, and locking in electricity from these solar roofs will protect the company against rising energy prices.
Construction company ILIOSS will install the rooftop solar systems and carport solar systems in Soriana’s stores in Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Jalisco, Querétaro, and 12 others.
“Solar power makes strong economic sense for many large retail and industrial energy users in Mexico, even without any government subsidies,” said Alejo Lopez, Hanwha Q CELLS Country Manager for Mexico.
“With great solar resources and a positive investment outlook, Mexico is a prime growth market for Hanwha Q CELLS,” said Moon Hwan Cha, Hanwha Q CELLS USA President. “The robust financial standing of the Hanwha Group allows Hanwha Q CELLS to establish long-term partnerships with customers in key markets like Mexico and other emerging markets in Latin America.”
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