The latest energy auction in Chile has set a new record low for solar PV, with one bid by the local subsidiary of Italian outfit, Enel, coming in at just $US21.48/MWh The result beats the previous record low of $US24.20 set in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, although it could be beaten by Saudi Arabia’s first auction, should the early results of a tender that secured an offer of $US17.90/MWh be verified later this month. Either way, the Chile government is happy with the result, which secured an average price of $US32.5/MWh for 600MW of solar and wind capacity, expected to produce around 2,200GWh. This is a 75 per cent fall since its auction program began in 2015. The Chile government says it will mean consumer prices fall by nearly 50 per cent once all the new projects are completed and online in 2024.
Renew Economy 7th Nov 2017 read more »
New buildings to be used by the British Army are being constructed with rooftop solar PV, enhancing their sustainably and efficiency. More than 320 polycrystalline modules have been installed atop new buildings at Larkhill Garrison, constructed under the Army Basing Programme (ABP) in order to meet building regulations. So far a total of 82kWp of generation capacity has been installed, the power from which will be shared across multiple buildings.
Solar Power Portal 6th Nov 2017 read more »
The UK’s solar market is set for a rebound in the coming years but will lose ground to the rest of Europe as a result of government policy decisions, leading consultancy EY has concluded. The findings have been announced within a new report on solar jobs and economic value throughout Europe, compiled by EY in collaboration with trade body SolarPower Europe. The report has charted the substantial growth in UK solar jobs from just 149 in 2008 to more than 17,000 in 2016, forecasting them to hit nearly 20,000 (19,976) by 2021. That would account for the UK holding roughly 11% of total jobs in solar within Europe. Meanwhile the UK is expected to once again become a multi-gigawatt market for deployed solar in the 2020s, installing roughly 1.5GW per year with a forecasted capacity of 17.25GW by the end of 2021.
Solar Power Portal 6th Nov 2017 read more »