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.
Japan’s about to become the next major economy to implement a solar feed-in tariff, and from the looks of it, it’s going to be a generous one. (I can see a herd of solar companies migrating over to Japan now.) Wind and geothermal feed-in tariffs are also on their way … [continued]
This special guest post is from James Hawkins, a UK solar energy industry employee, and gives us some more inside information on the recent changes,.. and challenges,.. and changes in the UK solar feed-in tariff policy. Enjoy! In April 2010, the UK government launched a flagship feed-in tariff policy … [continued]
Solar News 1. Fort Hood and Universal Services Fort Hood Inc. have turned on a solar field of nearly 3,000 photovoltaic solar panels. “The four-acre solar field, near Liberty Village community, will generate one million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually for 300 single-family homes.” Photo above. 2. The 230-megawatt photovoltaic … [continued]
Solar energy is a quickly growing field in many countries, as we’ve pointed out many times here on CleanTechnica. The United Kingdom, however, finds itself in a position of hobbling growth in the PV sector, as feed-in tariffs for photovoltaics have been cut roughly in half. While arrays completed … [continued]
A common statement we hear in discussions about solar energy evolution and solar energy incentives in the U.S. is that the solar industry just needs a few more years of government incentives and it can be broadly cost-competitive without any government support. While this is likely to be true, … [continued]
The following is an excellent short history of solar panels and solar power from guest contributor Dane Cross. I think you’ll thoroughly enjoy it — I did! What do Archimedes, Einstein and Arnold Schwarzenegger all have in common? Answer: They’ve all contributed to the development of solar power. From the 3rd Century BC when Archimedes … [continued]
A utility backlash against solar as a result of electricity price competition has resulted in a win for German utilities. German environment minister Norbert Roettgen announced a cut of up to 29 percent in solar feed-in tariffs on all solar installed after March 9th 2012, followed by monthly reductions until … [continued]
The price of solar is dropping fast, opening new opportunities for community-scale renewable energy across the country. But despite the improving economics and tremendously sunnier skies, the United States lags far behind Germany in installing new solar power.
The biggest difference is policy. The U.S. has two major federal incentives (a 30% tax credit and accelerated depreciation) for solar power, and a few state programs for solar power. Germany and most other developed countries use a feed-in tariff for renewable energy, a policy responsible for three-quarters of the world’s solar power capacity.
China has implemented it’s first nationwide feed-in tariff scheme for solar power.
