R&D Mag
Building cubes or towers that extend the solar cells upward in 3D configurations. Amazingly, the results from the structures they've tested show power output ranging from double to more than 20 times that of fixed flat panels with the same base area. The biggest boosts in power were seen in the situations where improvements are most needed: in locations far from the equator, in winter months and on cloudier days. The new findings, based on both computer modeling and outdoor testing of real modules, have been published in Energy and Environmental Science. (...) "Even 10 years ago, this idea wouldn't have been economically justified because the modules cost so much," Grossman says. But now, he adds, "the cost for silicon cells is a fraction of the total cost, a trend that will continue downward in the near future." Currently, up to 65% of the cost of photovoltaic (PV) energy is associated with installation, permission for use of land, and other components besides the cells themselves.
Check the original paper for details.
terça-feira, 27 de março de 2012
quarta-feira, 21 de março de 2012
US tariffs on Chinese solar panels
NYTimes.com
The Commerce Department said on Tuesday that it would impose tariffs on solar panels imported from China after concluding that the Chinese government provided illegal export subsidies to manufacturers there.
Grentech Media
The Department of Commerce's preliminary verdict on unfair subsidies for Chinese solar panels was handed down today, along with what amounted to surprisingly low tariffs. The preliminary determination indicates the DOC’s intention to impose a duty of 4.73 percent on U.S. imports from Trina Solar, 2.9 percent from Suntech, and 3.59 percent from all other remaining Chinese manufacturers.
These tariffs should not have a significant impact on the price of solar panels, although SolarWorld can contest the figures between now and the final determination. The other shoe to drop will be the dumping finding and any potential tariffs related to that finding, the announcement of which is scheduled for May. Any additional tariffs will be added to the unfair subsidies tariff.
PV magazine
Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) is calling on all seven members of the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), including the four remaining anonymous companies, to disclose a complete list of the government (state, federal and foreign) subsidies they have received over the past decade [since] public records show that SolarWorld, Helios Solar Works, and MX Solar have together received hundreds of millions of dollars in government subsidies.
The Commerce Department said on Tuesday that it would impose tariffs on solar panels imported from China after concluding that the Chinese government provided illegal export subsidies to manufacturers there.
Grentech Media
The Department of Commerce's preliminary verdict on unfair subsidies for Chinese solar panels was handed down today, along with what amounted to surprisingly low tariffs. The preliminary determination indicates the DOC’s intention to impose a duty of 4.73 percent on U.S. imports from Trina Solar, 2.9 percent from Suntech, and 3.59 percent from all other remaining Chinese manufacturers.
These tariffs should not have a significant impact on the price of solar panels, although SolarWorld can contest the figures between now and the final determination. The other shoe to drop will be the dumping finding and any potential tariffs related to that finding, the announcement of which is scheduled for May. Any additional tariffs will be added to the unfair subsidies tariff.
Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) is calling on all seven members of the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), including the four remaining anonymous companies, to disclose a complete list of the government (state, federal and foreign) subsidies they have received over the past decade [since] public records show that SolarWorld, Helios Solar Works, and MX Solar have together received hundreds of millions of dollars in government subsidies.
quinta-feira, 8 de março de 2012
Thousands march as political cracks appear in German FIT plan
Recharge
Backed by Germany’s largest trade union, thousands of people marched to Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate today in protest at impending cuts to the country’s solar feed-in tariff (FIT). The protest highlights the political resonance of the issue and comes amid a growing schism within Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government. The Bavaria-based Christian Social Union (CSU) – the sister party to Merkel’s own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – is breaking away from a plan that would impose a new round of FIT cuts from 9 March.
Sunny Bavaria has reaped huge economic benefits from Germany’s generous solar support. In particular, CSU parliamentarians oppose the swiftness with which the FIT cuts would be imposed – they were only announced in late February – as well as a measure that would see all support eradicated for arrays larger than 10MW.
Backed by Germany’s largest trade union, thousands of people marched to Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate today in protest at impending cuts to the country’s solar feed-in tariff (FIT). The protest highlights the political resonance of the issue and comes amid a growing schism within Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government. The Bavaria-based Christian Social Union (CSU) – the sister party to Merkel’s own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – is breaking away from a plan that would impose a new round of FIT cuts from 9 March.
Sunny Bavaria has reaped huge economic benefits from Germany’s generous solar support. In particular, CSU parliamentarians oppose the swiftness with which the FIT cuts would be imposed – they were only announced in late February – as well as a measure that would see all support eradicated for arrays larger than 10MW.
PV outlook darkens in Europe
chinadaily.com.cn
The European Union will probably launch an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imports of Chinese photovoltaic solar panels soon, said Li Zhi, director of the Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports & Exports of the Ministry of Commerce. (...)It is estimated more than 80 percent of China's solar cell-related exports go to the European market. In 2010, shipments of Chinese solar panels reached $30.5 billion.
The European Union will probably launch an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imports of Chinese photovoltaic solar panels soon, said Li Zhi, director of the Bureau of Fair Trade for Imports & Exports of the Ministry of Commerce. (...)It is estimated more than 80 percent of China's solar cell-related exports go to the European market. In 2010, shipments of Chinese solar panels reached $30.5 billion.
terça-feira, 6 de março de 2012
Dia aberto
No âmbito do Dia Aberto da FCUL, o grupo de Energia nas Escolas da Comissão de Alunos do mestrado integrado em Engenharia da Energia e do Ambiente vai dinamizar uma sessão sobre Energias Renováveis que inclui palestras, visitas a laboratórios de investigação e campo de ensaios de sistemas solares e um workshop sobre carrinhos solares.
Esta iniciativa também faz parte dos Dias Europeus do Sol que vão estar a decorrer nessa semana.
Para inscrições e outras informações ver isto.
Esta iniciativa também faz parte dos Dias Europeus do Sol que vão estar a decorrer nessa semana.
Para inscrições e outras informações ver isto.
France adds 10% premium to feed-in tariff for PV modules made in EU
SolarServer
The government of France has announced that a 10% premium will be added to rates paid through its feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, when 60% of the value of the PV modules used are representing European manufacturing, beginning in April 2012.
The government of France has announced that a 10% premium will be added to rates paid through its feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, when 60% of the value of the PV modules used are representing European manufacturing, beginning in April 2012.
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