Europe’s led worldwide growth in solar PV but a confluence of factors threatens ongoing progress. Solar PV potential is tremendous in the US and emerging markets around the world, and the right policy mix can assure grid parity for solar PV, according to the European Photovoltaics Industry Association’s market analysis and forecast.
Marine power – generating clean, renewable electricity primarily from ocean waves and tidal currents – has been high up on the energy policy and political agenda across the UK, particularly in Scotland. Proposed increases in government investments and subsidies is boosting investment, start-ups and attracting growing interest on the part of multinational energy and engineering companies.
A key to sustaining renewable energy economic & jobs growth in the wake of the “Great Recession,” the US Treasury 1603 grant program is due to expire at the end of 2011. A study conducted for the SEIA indicates that extending it for one year would create an additional 37,394 solar industry jobs and some 2,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar installations.
Ohio’s commercial-scale wind farm went live today. EDP Renewables North America’s $175 million, 99-megawatt (MW) Timber Road II Wind Farm will supply electricity to more than 27,000 homes when operational. In addition to generating affordable clean, renewable power from a plentiful natural resource, Timber Road II has produced jobs, income for more than 100 landowners and tax revenue for the local government. More than 60% of the products used to build the wind farm were manufactured in the US.
The US market for solar PV will double in 2011 despite the hard economic times, as plunging prices and policy incentives underpin growth. A strong project pipeline, and growing demand from utilities, driven by the need to meet Renewable Portfolio Standard targets, will result in constant annual growth rates of 47% out to 2015, according to research from Solarbuzz.
