Utilities are increasingly planning for energy storage (w/ charts)
GTM Research reports that utilities in 15 states are incorporating energy storage into their long-term plans, as energy storage deployment reached a relatively even keel during Q3 2017.
EIA: US solar output increases 47% in 2017
The latest monthly report from the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Agency shows that U.S. PV output in the first nine months of 2017 grew 47% over the same period in 2016, with market growth across the nation. PV represented 1.9% of total generation during this period.
Germany opens 2018 auction for large-scale PV, announces joint wind/solar auction
The deadline to submit project proposals is February 1. In addition, the Bundesnetzagentur has scheduled the first joint auction for large-scale wind and solar projects for April 1, 2018.
India: Siemens announces large-scale inverter plans
Having reportedly ended its relationship with SMA Solar, Siemens has announced it will be manufacturing and supplying 5 MW inverters to the Indian market.
Lebanon’s 180 MW solar tender moves forward
Overall, 42 bids were submitted to Lebanon’s Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) for 180 MW of tendered PV capacity. The LCEC will now start the evaluation process in two weeks.
Goa approves new solar policy
Under the new policy, the government of India’s smallest state is aiming to install around 150 MW of PV capacity by 2022.
Netherlands sets €12 billion budget for 2018 SDE+ program
The first window to submit solar projects will be opened in the so-called “Spring Round” on March 19. The program is open, among other renewable energy projects, to solar plants over 1 MW and projects ranging in size from 15 kW to 1 MW.
UK could reach 12 GW storage capacity within five years, report finds
Lessons learned from solar failures could propel battery storage market to 12 GW by 2021, argues report by All-Party Parliamentary Group on Energy Storage, which implores government to be “on the front foot” when it comes to seizing ways to ensure energy security for the nation.
Brazil launches $154 million fund for residential PV in the Amazon basin
The funds will be used to provide financing for residential PV projects across all of the nine states that form the so-called Amazônia Legal.
Nicaragua extends fiscal incentives for renewables by another five years
The tax benefits for renewable energy generation projects, which were set to expire at the end of this year, have been extended until the end of 2022.
