Markets

According to the Taiwanese analysts, the solar PV module market is still stable. However, EnergyTrend expects a new price war to erupt with the end of minimum import tariffs (MIPs). In particular, Taiwanese manufacturers will have to cope with increasing price pressure.

Wrapping up the year in which it established its wholly-owned manufacturing facility in Thailand, the Brisbane-based battery supplier says it is negotiating contracts with a number of customers, sharpening its focus on key target markets in Australasia, Asia Pacific and South Africa.

While it took 60 months to reach the first million electric vehicle (EV) sales, in late 2015, it took the fourth million just six months. China is driving this development. Meanwhile, as first generation EVs batteries are reaching their end-of-life, interest in second-life use cases is growing. The volume of retired EV battery packs is set to be 108 GWh by 2029 – representing a third of the expected storage capacity market at that time.

The new control room located in Bangkok will help the German renewable energy developer to keep tabs on its growing APAC portfolio.

The new federal Energy Minister has revealed his thinking, although few details, as to the measures the government will take in pursuit of its new “laser like” focus on electricity price reduction. While denying that he is a climate sceptic, emissions reduction clearly has no place in proposed policy measures.

Rumor has it industry lobbying has persuaded the government to agree to 300-500 MW of distributed PV in each of the populous nation’s 34 local government areas, with a reduction in “non-technical costs” making up for a lack of guaranteed payment.

The trademark all-in-one product of the Austrian inverter specialist is now compatible with the LG Chem storage solutions.

In its 2018 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO), the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of a heightened risk of power failure during summer peak-demand periods, based on refinements in weather forecasting and reduced reliability of ageing fossil fuel generators.  

According to Wiki-Solar, around 16 GW of new solar PV parks were brought online worldwide in the first half of this year. In the same period of 2017, newly installed utility-scale PV capacity totaled around 20 GW.

The Berri Barmera Council has invited expressions of interest for the construction and operation of a 10 MW solar farm which will contribute to delivering a predictable and cost-effective renewable energy supply within the region.