Solar Subsidies & Financing Posts

PV installations with storage are now encouraged in Czech Republic

PV installations with storage are now encouraged in Czech Republic

Until end of May, Czech companies can apply for funding if they are planning a PV installation with a storage option. This is meant to increase the available storage capacities, as 5 kw/h of battery storage is required for every kilowatt of PV power.

Bilateral PPAs: the rising stars on the PV sky

Bilateral PPAs: the rising stars on the PV sky

There is a variety of ways to invest in, make use of and benefit from renewable energies. An up-and-coming option are bilateral PPAs: power-purchase agreements that allow a consumer to buy and use power from a project developed by a third party. We have looked at bilateral PPAs from all angles.

EU Member States vote against extension of solar trade sanctions

EU Member States vote against extension of solar trade sanctions

Last week, trade experts of the EU Member States congregated in order to discuss the European Commission’s suggestion to extend the current trade measures for solar panels and cells that are imported from China, Taiwan and Malaysia, which was then decided against.

China might end solar subsidies by 2025

China might end solar subsidies by 2025

China has been funding its solar sector for years in order to fuel its success. Now grid parity is expected to be reached by 2025, which might be the end of the subsidies.

Nigeria, a future major solar energy producer?

Nigeria, a future major solar energy producer?

By far the most populous country of Africa (with 177 million inhabitants in 2014), and consequently the first GDP of the continent, Nigeria is a member of the OPEP and has a large amount of oil resources, which represents the major part of its economy. The rest of the GDP is mainly divided between the agriculture sector and artisanal production. The electrification rate of the country is rather low: in 2012, only 55.6% of the population had access to electricity. The lack of infrastructure affects mainly the rural and poor populations. To overcome the inexistence and the low reliability of the electricity distribution in several areas of the country, the rural populations invest in diesel generators, which are expensive and polluting.

In Algeria, a new Program for the Development of Renewable Energy

In Algeria, a new Program for the Development of Renewable Energy

Algeria was the very first country in Africa to apply a Feed-in Tariff scheme for renewable energy. In August 2004, a national program for the promotion of renewable energy was launched: it obliges Sonelgaz, the national public energy operator, to buy energy from renewable sources through a commercial contract. However, this policy failed: it did not lead to any renewable power plant construction.