Milk the sun Blog

Crowdfunding for Solar PV: An interview with Abundance Generation

Apr 29, 2014 Milk the Sun Team

Crowdfunding has been traditionally associated with the development of new software tools or online applications. Only in the past year has this innovative investment tool started to gain traction within the infrastructure field, with Solar PV being seen as a prime candidate for this diversified source of funding. The Milk the Sun blog spoke to Abundance Generation’s Tom Harwood on how their platform is seeking to blend the often challenging nature of Solar PV project financing with an open crowdfunding platform. Continue

Guest Article: The German Direct Marketing Framework and Potential Benefits for your Assets

May 16, 2013 Milk the Sun Team

In the introductory blog post, I highlighted “tuning” options for your German renewable energy assets considering the nuances of the legislative framework. Next, I will elaborate on the first alternative mentioned: obtaining a slightly higher price for each kWh generated by, and exclusively available to, your (on- and offshore) wind or solar park. This is the so-called “direct marketing”, also commonly referred to as the “Market Bonus Scheme”. Background [caption id="attachment_6040" align="alignleft" width="225"] Martin Supancic discusses the opportunities for renewable energy asset owners under the EEG[/caption] The German Renewable Energies Act (EEG) of 2012 allows renewable energy assets to generate...

Guest Article: How to Tune Your German Green Energy Asset Without Getting Sun Burnt in the Attempt

May 6, 2013 Milk the Sun Team

How can the returns on green energy assets be amplified without refinancing? What can be done to eliminate those “love handles” on wind or solar parks? For some readers, what follows will probably be a review of the basics of managing a renewable energy asset in general, however, I will highlight a few focus areas that can generate further value, considering nuances of the German renewable energy regime (Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz - EEG). Perhaps as a backdrop, I have been focusing on the photovoltaic (PV) business (particularly large parks), yet, the EEG itself covers a much broader spectrum of technologies...

Photovoltaics in Canada – An Introduction

Apr 9, 2013 Milk the Sun Team

Canada is one of the highest energy consumers per capita in the world. Due to its geography, Canada is currently the world’s second largest producer of hydroelectricity and is sixth in wind power generation. Nevertheless, solar energy is also expanding rapidly in Canada and especially, in Ontario. In 2011, there was 289 MWDC photovoltaic (PV) capacity installed throughout the country representing 335 GWh annually. Canada has a significant amount of annual solar radiation, much greater than that of Germany’s the leader in solar energy. Ontario, Quebec, and the Prairies are leading the country in solar resources. Solar potential tends to...

Mainstream utility generation ‘trending’ in the PV sector

Mar 13, 2013 Milk the Sun Team

Utility-scale applications have doubled in a year to 12GW, while growth in other parts of the PV sector has slowed. Philip Wolfe, whose book on solar power stations was published recently, explains why these applications will continue to march on.Continue

Photovoltaic in the United Kingdom – an overview

Nov 29, 2012 Milk the Sun Team

Country: United Kingdom (UK) Area: 244,820 km2 Population: 61.8 Million Language: English Government: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy Electricity Consumption: 341,918 GWh/Year Electricity Import: 5,234 GWh/year Percentage Renewable Energy: 5.1% Percentage Photovoltaic: 0.07% Installed Photovoltaic Output: 1 GW Solar Irradiation: 750kWh/m2 to 1,100kWh/m2 [caption id="attachment_10290" align="alignleft" width="300"] © Katarzyna Chojnacka[/caption] Electricity and PV in the United Kingdom The largest energy sources in the UK are Coal, Gas and Oil, comprising over three quarters of the country’s total energy production. Renewable energy is receiving more and more government support, however, due to the UK’s geographic location photovoltaic plays only a minor role in...