Photovoltaic Overview Posts

Scottish DNO agrees to easier and cheaper grid connection for small installations

Scottish DNO agrees to easier and cheaper grid connection for small installations

STA, the Scottish Solar Trade Association, have proven to the Distribution Network Operator that solar installations under 200 kW have a much smaller impact on the grid than previously assumed. Hence the DNO could be persuaded to simplify the connection procedure for these projects.

British government reaches financial settlement with installers after feed-in tariff court case

British government reaches financial settlement with installers after feed-in tariff court case

After the British government decided to cut back the feed-in tariffs for new solar installations in 2011, five outraged installers took the matter to court, seeking a 140 million GBP compensation. Now the government reached an out of court settlement with them.

How to maximise the efficiency of your rooftop solar panels

How to maximise the efficiency of your rooftop solar panels

Going solar has many advantages. But once you decide to take this big step, how can you be sure you will get the best possible results? We have collected some advice on how to maximise the efficiency of your rooftop solar panels so that you can fully enjoy the benefits.

U.S. solar market increases steadily

U.S. solar market increases steadily

The U.S. solar market continues to grow, albeit slowing down slightly. Remarkably low prices for utility-scale systems have encouraged this and led to an additional 2 GW of solar capacities in the first quarter of 2017 alone.

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.