Showing posts with label harness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label harness. Show all posts

Event - Venture Summit West

This event will take place on February 12, 2014, at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. The summit content will include discussions and educational tracks focused on cleantech. The Second annual Venture Summit West, presented by youngStartup Ventures, is the premier industry gathering connecting venture capitalists, corporate VCs, angel investors, technology transfer professionals, senior executives of early stage and emerging growth companies, university researchers, incubators and premier service providers.

Whether you are an investor seeking access to new early stage deals, or a CEO or Founder of a new venture looking for funding, visibility and growth, Venture Summit West is one event you won’t want to miss.

Venture Panels

Hear more than 40 top tier VCs, Corporate VCs and Angel Investors on the key issues facing Investors and Startup CEOs alike. Industry experts will provide updated analyses and share their experience with the audience. Company Presentations Discover more than 50 of the hottest early stage and emerging growth technology, life sciences and clean-tech innovators as they present live to leading investors. High-level Networking: Connect with investors, startups and potential partners.

Audience Profile

Venture Capitalists, angel investors, corporate VCs, CEOs, CFOs and other senior management of early stage and emerging growth ventures, technology transfer professionals and premium services firms.

To register click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
America Surpasses a Solar PV Milestone and Keeps Going
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
How the West can Capitalize on the Growth of Chinese Cleantech in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Event - Clean and Cool 2013

This event will take place from November 30 to December 7, 2013 in Colorado. Clean and Cool Mission Colorado is an entrepreneur mission to help the UK’s most promising early stage and innovative cleantech SMEs do business in the US faster.

A total of 16 of the UK’s most innovated clean technology companies have been selected for the 2013 Clean and Cool Mission in Colorado. Among the delegation are companies whose innovations address some of the most pressing climate challenges in the country and worldwide, including increasing transport pollution, improving energy efficiency in residential homes and easing reliance on peak grid supply. These companies will showcase their innovations and explore business opportunities associated with tackling climate change. The Mission will help these companies to develop quality contacts with investors and partners, gain unique insight, profit from fresh stimulus, and improve pitch and profile. There have been eight previous missions, supporting the most promising UK entrepreneurs and early stage businesses working in web innovation, future health and clean technology.

Colorado has been selected as the focus because it is rapidly establishing its US and global prominence as a cleantech innovation ecosystem. Colorado is the number one U.S market for renewable energy, the second best state for entrepreneurship and innovation, and with over 300 cleantech and 1600 support companies the state is currently 3rd for US cleantech vc financing.

In 2013, the Clean and Cool Mission will coincide with The Industry Growth Forum, the premier event for clean energy startups to maximize their exposure to receptive venture capital, corporate investors, and strategic partners.

Clean and Cool Mission is run by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs in partnership with the Technology Strategy Board, UKTI and private sector sponsors. The Technology Strategy Board (TSB), a business-led UK government body which works to create economic growth by ensuring that the UK is a global leader in innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy.

The following fields are part of the mission:

· Clean or green transportation fuels for aviation and motorcycles
· Electricity & other Energy conservation
· Smart meters and smart grids
· Thermal sciences
· Climate change
· Wind Solar Power
· Cutting emissions and pollution

UK Cleantech Startups Selected for the innovation Mission

· Agility Global has blended Formula 1 and aerospace design with advanced engineering and electric technology to manufacture the world’s first high-performance, clean tech motorcycle. Saietta, is a premium, electric urban sports motorcycle that more than lives up to its name. Strikingly designed, fast and powerful, it is also clean and green.

· Alquist has pioneered an award-winning Data Center temperature management system, targeted to become the new world standard for a $17bn industry segment growing at 28% per annum. Alquist’s monitoring system enables Data Center operators to manage risk and reduce energy spend, resulting in reduced carbon emissions.

· Arcola Energy is a developer, manufacturer and retailer of fuel cell-based low carbon energy solutions, converting chemical energy from a fuel, such as hydrogen, into electricity. Ultimately, this makes electricity more accessible and cost-effective for consumers and businesses. Arcola’s technology can be used in the home and within the construction, entertainment, education and automotive industries.

· To support the continued roll-out of smart grids throughout the U.S., Each For All Productions has developed the Merismus micro-grid which is plugged into a smart meter to automatically manage grid and microgeneration energy usage to lower energy bills through very little effort.

· Energy created through the roof which could eliminate heating, cooling and hot water bills is the aim of a new product from Flint Engineering which blends a photovoltaic and solar thermal collector in a roofing/cladding material to be used on both new and refitted domestic and commercial buildings.

· The energy output of the sun is about 386 billion megawatts, presenting a free and inexhaustible power source that can be captured and converted into electricity. Fullsun Photovoltaics is doing exactly that by using High Concentrated Photovoltaic (HCPV) technology in a lightweight solar module designed for utility and commercial/industrial rooftop markets.

· Current technology is incapable of realistically meeting future demand for sustainable aviation biofuels. The mission of Green Fuels Research, a new venture building on 10 years’ CleanTech heritage, is to develop enabling technologies at every step in the value chain from primary producer to airplane

· In the US, a massive $7.4 billion is spent on cooling datacentres annually. Iceotope supports these applications by providing massive processing power, memory and storage in an integrated computing system cooled with liquid, which saves energy and lowers costs.

· Magnifye superconducting permanent magnets can be used to improve the efficiency of any electrical machine. Ten times stronger than conventional magnets, they are small enough to fit into the palm of the hand and large enough to power a train or a cruise liner. With almost limitless applications, Magnifye could transform the way the world powers electrical machines.

· Moixa Technology plans to put millions of smart batteries into customer premises to reduce peak period demand on the grid and improve the energy efficiency of essential Direct Current (DC) devices such as lights and mobile phones. Use of Moixa’s technology helps to significantly reduce bills and improves energy security by enabling the storage of energy at off-peak times.

· PJH Partnership has developed an innovative and domestically applicable solar power storage unit. The system is targeted to address grid-scale storage and balancing needs resulting from the continual growth of electricity generation from domestic houses.

· Renovagen has developed a transportable solar power solution that is capable of generating ten times more power than existing technologies. Designed for temporary or semi-permanent use in remote off-grid locations where self-sufficient power generation is essential.

· Considerable energy savings in both domestic and commercial environments can be realised by using high power heat batteries. Sunamp has developed a Heat Battery that is super-compact but can store heat from conventional and non-conventional heat pumps and boilers, delivering it quickly and with maximum energy efficiency as needed.

· Through innovation and ingenuity Straw Fuels has created a range of eco-friendly fire logs. Made from straw, the logs are clean, easy to use and produce much lower levels of smoke than traditional wood.

· Public vehicles, particularly buses, have a reputation for polluting roads, but a new hybrid-electric system from Vantage Power has been designed to help the bus industry to meet the increasing demands for lower emissions, improve air quality, and cut fuel consumption simultaneously, without the need for investing in new hybrid buses.

· The U.S. has a target of 20% renewable energy by 2020, and this target has been behind the development of a new grid-scale energy storage battery from Wind Power Performance that promises to lower energy storage costs globally.

Agenda

The week-long agenda is designed to provide unparallelled insights, connections and opportunities.

Monday Dec 2
08.45 – 12.15 Pitch sessions and panel discussion
Venue: Hotel Boulderado, Columbine Room, 2115 Thirteenth Street, Boulder, CO 80302

Tuesday Dec 3
18.30 – 20.30 UKTI and British Consul hosted Reception and Networking
Venue: Galvanize, 1062 Delaware St, Denver, CO 80204

Thursday Dec 5
18.30 – 20.30 Rocky Mountain Innosphere hosted panel and networking event
Venue: All Staff Room, New Belgium Brewery, 500 Linden, Fort Collins, CO 80524

For more information click here

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
America Surpasses a Solar PV Milestone and Keeps Going
Breakdown of Solar Demand in Q1 & Q2 2013
Deutsche Bank Revises its PV Forecasts for 2013
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
How the West can Capitalize on the Growth of Chinese Cleantech in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Will 2012 be the Best Year Ever For Clean-Tech Investment?
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Event - Clean Energy Conference and Exhibition: ICCE 2013

Clean Energy Conference and Exhibition: ICCE 2013 will take place Monday September 9 - Wednesday September, 11, 2013 in Ottawa, Ontario. ICCE 2013 will take place on the banks of the majestic Ottawa, Rideau and Gatineau Rivers. Ottawa is one of the most beautiful G8 capitals in the world. Ottawa is also rich in culture and heritage with its many national institutions, parklands, waterways and historic architecture.
This conference is organized to share and discuss recent developments in clean energy sector. The aim of ICCE 2013 is to gather researchers, scientists, engineers, practitioners, policy makers, from all over the world to present advances in the clean energy technologies. We are in an era in which there is a continuous progress in green energy sources and technologies and ICCE 2013 will provide a forum to exchange information, present new technologies and developments, and discuss the future direction, strategies and priorities in the field of clean energy.

For more information or to register click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
America Surpasses a Solar PV Milestone and Keeps Going
Breakdown of Solar Demand in Q1 & Q2 2013
Deutsche Bank Revises its PV Forecasts for 2013
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
How the West can Capitalize on the Growth of Chinese Cleantech in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Will 2012 be the Best Year Ever For Clean-Tech Investment?
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

America Surpasses a Solar PV Milestone and Keeps Going

NPD Solarbuzz reports that due in part to state incentive programs, the US has installed more than 1.8 gigawatts (GWs) of solar photovoltaics (PV) in the first half of 2013, pushing the nation beyond 10 GWs. Solar PV is a semiconductor technology used for generating electricity by converting the the sun's rays into electricity. America joins Germany, Italy and China which have already produced more than 10 gigawatts of solar power.

The performance of US solar in the first half of 2013 exceeds the growth of solar in the first half of 2012 (1.8 GWs compared to 1.3 GWs). The Utility-scale market was responsible for at least 45 percent of solar PV installations.

The report forecasts ongoing growth in the solar sector, “Cumulative solar PV installations are forecast to increase an additional 80 percent over the next 18 months, surpassing 17 GW by the end of 2014.”

While we have seen strong solar performances from the Southwest and Southeast regions there are tremendous opportunities for growth in the Great Plains and Great Lakes regions.

According to the SEIA report. “Solar PV has been one of the fastest growing energy sources in the US over the past six years, with a compound annual growth rate of over 50 percent since 2007,” Most of Solar's U.S. growth (83 percent) has occurred since 2010.

The declining price of solar since 2011 is driving this growth. “Average installed system prices in the US have declined from around $6 per watt two years ago to approximately $4.25 per watt for residential installations and $3 per watt for large utility-scale PV projects today,” the report states.

The Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative is aiming at the ambitious target of $1 per installed watt. NPD Solarbuzz states that almost 1,400 solar PV installations in excess of 500kW size have been completed across 39 different states so far. This has accounted for approximately 5.4GW of new capacity in the US. Nearly 40 percent of the new capacity has been installed in California.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Breakdown of Solar Demand in Q1 & Q2 2013
Deutsche Bank Revises its PV Forecasts for 2013
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012

Breakdown of Solar Demand in Q1 & Q2 2013

According to NPD Solarbuzz analyst Michael Barker, Germany, China, Japan, and the US accounts for more than 60 percent of solar demand in the first half of 2013. China and Japan alone are responsible for 45 percent of global demand in the second half, up from just 10% three years ago.

According to the quarterly report from NPD Solarbuzz, nearly half of the demand in the first half came from large-scale utility and commercial ground-mount applications, with just 20 percent from residential rooftops. The rest of solar demand came from non-residential rooftop installations like businesses and off-grid applications.

“The solar PV industry continues to transition from a European-dominated environment to a global market, with a wide range of countries contributing to growth in the overall PV market,” said Michael Barker, Senior Analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. “Until this transition phase is completed, however, the PV industry remains highly dependent on a small group of countries currently at the multi-GW level.”

Click here for the complete NDP Solarbuzz Quarterly report.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Deutsche Bank Revises its PV Forecasts for 2013
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Deutsche Bank Revises its PV Forecasts for 2013

As reported in REnew economy, Deutsche Bank has revised upward its outlook for the global solar PV industry. The bank is predicting that the global solar market will be 45 GW by 2014. As of the start of 2013 the global solar PV industry had risen to approximately 40 GW.

Duetsche's forecasts have been revised upward based on strong demand from Japan, US, India, and China. We are also seeing increasing solar PV demand from emerging markets like Chile, the Middle East, and South East Asia.

Deutsche Bank anticipates that we will see less supply from China because a "credit crunch" will wind down production in several second- and third-tier module suppliers. Tier 1 solar companies have already seen a 10 percent price increase since February which is expected to improve profit margins for some companies.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Event - Cleantech Forum Europe 2013

Cleantech Forum Europe 2013 will take place on 04/16/2013 - 04/18/2013 at the Euskalduna Conference Centre and Concert Hall in Bilbao Spain.

As the sense of economic malaise and a confidence crisis deepens, we are all in urgent need of a lift. We are hungry for new voices and new leaders with new ideas, for new companies, alliances and partnership models, to show us a new path toward economic growth and job creation. Cleantech Forum Europe 2013 will venture to the heart of these challenging issues.

Gathering in Bilbao, Spain, we will engage in fresh conversations and inject new energy into the cleantech and sustainability dialogue. Keynotes, panels, roundtables and company presentations will all share a focus on 3 key growth questions – Where? How? Who with?

For more information click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Event - Future of Wind Energy in BC

BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) Vancouver Chapter and Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) are hosting a speaker event on Wednesday April 10th, 2013 at the Bill Reid Gallery, 639 Hornby Street in Vancouver, about the future of wind energy in British Columbia. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The evening will feature presentations by experts on wind energy, energy policy and sustainability issues in BC to incite discussion and learning about the future of wind energy in British Columbia.

Presenters will highlight both successful case studies and common concerns. The evening will conclude with a moderated discussion between everyone present. Audience members are encouraged to bring their questions and comments!

Featured speakers include Nicholas Heap, CanWEA’s BC Regional Director, Dr. Tim Weis, Renewable Energy & Efficiency Policy Director at Pembina Institute and Marc Soulliere, President and CEO of Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) Wind Power Inc.

For over a decade, Nicholas Heap has worked as a planner, policy analyst and campaigner in government, environmental organizations and industry to advance the implementation of low-impact renewable energy in BC. As CanWEA’s Vancouver-based BC Regional Director, he advocates for the responsible and sustainable development of wind energy, and is an active voice in the ongoing BC conversation on energy policy.

Dr. Tim Weis is a professional engineer who specializes in clean energy policy design, research and strategic decision making. He has written extensively on sustainable energy technical and policy issues at national, provincial and municipal levels, as well as opportunities specific to First Nations’ and northern communities.

Marc Soulliere has over 15 years of experience in senior sales and executive roles in the wireless technology industry, and has worked extensively with Fortune 500 companies on implementation of large-scale multi-million dollar IT projects. He entered the wind energy industry in 2008 and has been trained in wind site assessments, wind theory, turbine designs and energy production.

For more information click here.

Related Articles
US Wind Energy Doubles and Eclipses Natural Gas in 2012
Record Year for US Wind Power in 2012
Obama Administration's Wind Energy Leases
10 Leading Wind Energy Countries
Six Markets for Global Wind Power
Fiscal Cliff Deal Extends PTC and ITC for US Wind Energy
Cleantechnica: Top 10 Wind Power Stories of 2012 
EWEA's Offshore Wind Statistics
China and the Growth of Global Wind Power
UK Wind Energy
New Wind Energy Venture in Texas
AES Wins Wind Project of the Year
Wind Technology and Investment
US Wind Energy Market Review and Forecasts (2012)

Event - SOLAR 2013

SOLAR 2013 opens April 16-20, 2013, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland. The American Solar Energy Society(ASES) presents America’s longest-running solar conference series, now in its 42nd year. SOLAR 2013 will examine how mainstream renewable energy technologies are saving money today for small and large businesses, homeowners and utility companies. We’ll look at policy initiatives that can streamline permitting and financing, and explore the road forward as renewable installations double annually. This year a special session will examine the relationship between extreme weather events and renewable energy. We’ll also be asking our two German plenary speakers what the US can learn from Germany’s rapid conversion to renewable energy.

SOLAR 2013 Featured Speakers

This event will feature many distinguished speakers throughout the week of the conference:

• Bill McKibben, President and Co-Founder, 350.org - He will be speaking on Thursday, April 18th from 10:15-11:45. Bill McKibben, a well known environmental author and activist, is the founder of 350.org, an international climate change campaign. 350.org is named for the safe level of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere, 350 parts per million.

• Kevin Knobloch, President, Union of Concerned Scientists - He will be speaking on Wednesday, April 17th from 10:15-11:45. Kevin Knobloch brings 32 years of experience in public policy, government, advocacy, and media to his job as president of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). He is knowledgeable about a range of environmental and national security issues including global warming, natural resource and clean energy economics, renewable and efficient vehicle technologies, nuclear weapons, forest management, and corporate responsibility, as well as legislative strategy and procedure.

• Jochen Flasbarth, President, German Federal Environment Agency - He will be speaking on Thursday, April 18th from 10:15-11:45. Jochen Flasbarth has led Germany’s largest national environmental authority since September 2009. Prior to working for the German Federal Environment Agency, Flasbarth was the head of Directorate-General "Nature Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources" at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

• David Wedepohl, Head of Department for Market and Communication, German Solar Industry Association - He will be speaking on Friday, April 19th from 10:15-11:45. David Wedepohl is a radio journalist by training who studied on both sides of the atlantic. He holds a masters degree in Journalism and Public Affairs which he achieved as a Fulbright scholar. His professional experience included working for the German embassy in Washington, DC as a press officer. He first came in touch with the solar industry while working for an American consulting company and now heads the department for market and communication at the German Solar Industry Association.

• Rhone Resch, President & CEO, SEIA - He will be speaking on Friday, April 19th from 10:15-11:45.Rhone Resch is the President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the national trade association of the solar energy industry in the United States. Representing an industry of over 5,000 companies and 100,000 employees, Rhone is the architect of the association's strategic priorities.

• Laura Jones, Partner, Hunton & Williams LLP - She will be speaking on Friday, April 19th from 10:15-11:45. Laura Ellen Jones is a tax partner at Hunton & Williams LLP whose practice focuses almost exclusively on energy tax credit matters. Laura has represented numerous clients in section 45, 48, and 29/45K tax credit transactions involving solar, landfill gas, wind, open-loop biomass, geothermal, waste-to-energy, and refined coal facilities, including the financing and purchase and sale of facilities, and the structuring of commercial arrangements for the operation of the facilities.

• Eric Martinot, Report Author, REN21 Renewables Global Futures Report - He will be speaking on Wednesday, April 17th from 10:15-11:45. Dr. Eric Martinot has worked in renewable energy for 25 years and is an internationally recognized scholar, writer, and teacher on the subject. He is report author of the pioneering REN21 Renewables Global Futures Report, and was lead author from 2005-2010 of the REN21 Renewables Global Status Report, an annual synthesis of markets and policies.

• Tony Clifford, CEO, Standard Solar Inc. - He will be speaking on Friday, April 19th from 10:15-11:45. Tony Clifford is the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Solar, Inc. Since 2007 Mr. Clifford has led Standard Solar’s rapid growth into a nationally known PV developer/ EPC. Mr. Clifford began his career at Solarex Corporation, later acquired by British Petroleum and known as BP Solar.

• Travis L. Price III, Fellow of AIA - Travis Price will speak on The Mythic Modern: mythology, ecology, and technology...the spirit of place at the Emerging Architecture session of SOLAR 2013. This session takes place on Friday, April 19th from 3:15-4:45.

• Patricia Hoffman, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy - She will be speaking on Thursday, April 18th from 10:15-11:45. Patricia Hoffman is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability at the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability leads the Department of Energy’s (DOE) efforts to modernize the electric grid through the development and implementation of national policy pertaining to electric grid reliability and the management of research, development, and demonstration activities for “next generation” electric grid infrastructure technologies.

To register click here.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
How the West can Capitalize on the Growth of Chinese Cleantech in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Will 2012 be the Best Year Ever For Clean-Tech Investment?
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies

According to a new analysis by Deutsche Bank, the global solar market will be self sustaining by the end of 2014. As many who supported renewable energy subsidies have argued, they are a short term measure to help fledgling industries grow to a size where they no longer needing subsidies to continue performing. The report showed that roof top solar has strong demand in India, China, Britain, Germany, India, and the United States. Grid parity has already been achieved in India, Italy, Germany.

Deutsche bank points to strong demand in subsidised markets such as Japan, the UK. In the US, the introduction of favourable legislation, including giving solar installations the same status as real estate investment trusts, strong pipelines in Africa and the Middle east, and unexpectedly strong demand in countries such as Mexico and Caribbean nations means that its forecasts for the year are likely to rise.

A UBS report concluded that an “unsubsidized solar revolution” was in the works, “Thanks to significant cost reductions and rising retail tariffs, households and commercial users are set to install solar systems to reduce electricity bills – without any subsidies.”

The Macquarie Group argued that costs for rooftop solar in Germany have fallen so that even with subsidy cuts “solar installations could continue at a torrid pace.”

In America, solar power installations were strong over the course of the last couple of years despite the fact that the price of solar power systems continued to plunge. The growth in American solar energy installations is due in part to third party leasing agreements.

The cost of manufacturing solar panels in China is expected to drop to an all-new low of 42 cents per watt in 2015. Power generated from solar is predicted to undercut that produced by both coal and most forms of natural gas within a decade.

Based on their observations of activities in the solar space, Deutsche Bank has increased its forecast for solar demand in 2013 to 30 gigawatts which represents a 20 percent increase over 2012.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success

Jinko Solar is well positioned to capitalize on the solar market in 2013 as it has the best balance sheet among their competitors. They are insulated from the high costs of silicone that is adversely impacting their peers. The higher costs of silicone have put upward pressure on the manufacturing costs associated with PV but Jinko is one of the very few solar companies that are well positioned. Jinko's low price leadership is attributable to four primary factors:


1. Jinko's ability to procure silicone at a lower price than their competitors. This is largely attributable to the company's chairman who was in the silicone spot market trading silicone before starting Jinko Solar.

2. Jinko's manufacturing costs are lower because they produce their own ingots, wafers, cells and modules.

3. Jinko also manufactures their own frames and junction boxes.

4. Jinko has one of the most automated PV manufacturing plants in China.

5. Third party insurance

Jinko is positioned to be a major winner in the US and global markets.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity

Ambitious Growth Predicted for Solar in 2013 and 2014

Over the next two years solar power can be expected to move closer to grid parity. In 2012, despite obstacles, solar power continued to grow. In 2013 and 2014 we should see surprisingly strong growth in the photovoltaic (PV) industry.

One of the major obstacles faced by solar PV manufacturers is the higher costs of silicone which has increased the costs of manufacturing associated with solar PV.  But by the end of the year costs are expected to stabilize and pricing will improve by early in 2014.

As reported in Bloomberg, Gregory Wolf, president of Duke Energy Renewables, believes that  for the first time, the US will add more solar power in 2013 than wind energy.  Wolf said the US can be expected to install 3 to 4 gigawatts (GWs) of wind and solar projects in 2013.

But Wolf is particularly bullish on solar. “I would expect a lot of momentum still on solar...We really ramped up our solar in 2010,” he said. “Today most of the projects are half or less of the cost now than then.”

The US installed about 3.2 GWs of solar power last year and may reach 3.9 GWs this year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. While Bloomberg anticipates 3.9 gigawatts of installed solar energy this year, that figure may be as high as 5 GWs installed solar in 2013.

China has moved their 2013 prediction from 3 GWs around a year ago to a recent plan of 10 GWs.  These optimistic numbers are attributable in large part to decreasing costs, more financing and a weakening of other power markets.

Reduced costs also include BOS (also known as "the balance of system" which refers to all components other than the panels). There are now more private investors and institutions providing financing for the solar industry. Many projects that were put on hold in 2012 are likely to get the green light in 2013 and 2014. However this increased demand will likely result in a reduction of the available supply.

Cheap panels, lower manufacturing costs and policy support are destined to make 2013 and 2014 important years for solar. While the overall prognosis for the industry over the next couple of years is good, there are likely to be some major shake ups in the solar manufacturing industry.

© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

Related Articles
Solar Increasingly Sustainable Even Without Subsidies
Jinko Solar: Silicone Procurement at the Heart of its Success
Outlook for the Chinese Solar Industry in 2012
US Regains Lead from China as Clean Energy Leader
US Solar Energy Review and 2012 Forecasts
Renewable Energy in 2012: The Global Economic and Environmental Climate
Renewable Energy Is Our Only Hope
India is the World Leader in Cleantech Investment Growth
The EU Debt Crisis did Not Curb the Growth of Renewables in 2011
Cleantech the Next Great Investment Opportunity