PV Expo Tokyo: Japanese market flowing downstream

PV Expo Tokyo: Japanese market flowing downstream

According to a number of exhibitors at this year's PV Expo Tokyo, Japan's PV market is leaning ever more heavily towards meeting the growing demand for solar services.

pv magazine spoke with a wide range of companies on day two of the solar event and discovered that the downstream market for PV in Japan is now more important than ever. Stefan Spork, Managing director of Mounting Systems GmbH, pointed out that for large scale installations, more and more clients are requesting not just components but are also for construction work services - for example, for the pile driving of ground mounted racks. This trend will be accelerated, Spork believes, by a general paucity of available domestic construction workers due to the present building boom in Japan.

JA Solar told pv magazine that the company is increasing its financial services to their clients and expanding the number of its installer seminars, according to COO Liu Yong.

QCells, meanwhile, is expanding its number of Japanese offices from four currently to five or six by the end of this year, said Japanese Country Manager Shin Dongin. The company expects to sell more than 350 MW for residential and small commercial applications this year in Japan alone, which is 50% more than in 2013, according to Dongin.

CIGS market leader Solar Frontier is also expanding its activities in the downstream sector, Yuichi Kuroda, Vice President Corporate Planning and Operations told pv magazine. One important part of this strategy will be the Zero-Energy House with integrated PV – a product that the company has offered to the market since end of last year, Kuroda said.

Due to an estimated decline in large scale applications in Japan over the next two years, the company is planning to expand its sales shares of residential and commercial rooftop applications, Kuroda confirmed. The Solar Frontier VP expects that domestic sales for the Japanese market will grow from 900 MW in 2013 to around 1 GW this year.

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Trina Solar secure EPC contract for Jordan's largest PV project

Trina Solar secure EPC contract for Jordan's largest PV project

 

China's Trina Solar has announced today that it has secured the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a 2 MW solar rooftop installation in Jordan.

Food storage and logistics company Fresh Fruits Company signed a contract today with Trina Solar, permitting the solar giants to install its TSM-PC05A Honey 260 Wp high efficiency modules atop its stores and warehouses in the Jordan capital of Amman.

The modules were chosen due to their durability and performance in dry and near-desert conditions, such as those found in Amman. The project is the first mega-scale rooftop installation in Jordan, and work is expected to commence next month, with a completion date penciled in for the third quarter of the year.

Once complete, the installations will deliver 3,200 MWh of solar power each year, mitigating the effects of 38,400 tons of C02.

"We are delighted to have been awarded this mega-scale project in Jordan," said Trina Solar CEO and Chairman, Jifan Gao. "Our successful selection as the EPC provider for this project demonstrates our ability to develop large-scale projects in the Middle East.

"For oil and natural gas importing countries like Jordan, they are vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil and natural gas prices. Solar energy provides Jordan with a viable alternative and we see huge potential for growth in this market. Following this EPC contract and a previous supply contract for 1 MW of Trina Honey photovoltaic modules also in Jordan, we will continue to actively pursue new opportunities in this emerging market."

Fresh Fruits Company general manager, Omar Hashlmon, added that the company received more than 20 offers from local and international companies to deliver the project, but chose Trina Solar because of its experienced team of "local technical professionals in the Middle East and its commitment to excel in project development in the region."

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PV Expo Tokyo hints at further growth for Japan's solar market

PV Expo Tokyo hints at further growth for Japan's solar market 

Japan's PV market is set for further growth in 2014, despite rumblings of forthcoming FIT cuts – this was the overriding message of the first day of the PV Expo Tokyo.

Most of the exhibitors to whom pv magazine spoke remained confident and upbeat that double-digit growth is on the cards this year, refusing to allow talk of further FIT cuts of 14% in April to dampen the mood.

Although traffic in some of the corridors of the exhibition halls was a little slower than last year, the atmosphere throughout the opening day of Japan's biggest solar trade show was encouragingly positive. The uplifting presence of foreign companies, particularly Chinese Tier 1 manufacturers, was keenly felt.

Most of the companies that pv magazine spoke to revealed that they are predicting high growth rates for this year. Yingli expects to sell more than 500 MW of modules in Japan alone in 2014 - twice as much as in 2013, Julian Itagaki, director of marketing at Yingli Green Energy Japan, told pv magazine.

JA Solar calculates an 80% growth rate for its Japanese business this year, and expects to sell more than 600 MW of modules, the company’s COO Liu Yong said. Trina Solar, meanwhile, is expecting a 50% increase of its Japanese module sales compared to 2013 – a growth rate that represents a 20% share of the company’s total global sales, according to Zhiguo Zhu, Trina Solar’s senior vice president. This year’s show also attracted a number of foreign companies to exhibit for the very first time, such as Vikram Solar of India.

Several companies have also showcased their new products at the PV Expo Tokyo. Glass-to-glass modules have featured heavily as a new trend, with Trina Solar’s frameless glass-to-glass module attracting a great deal of attention. According to the company they are especially ideal for desert and coastal climates, boasting added durability and a warranty of 30 years. 

Chinese manufacturer Realforce also showcased a new frameless glass-to glass module, while SolarWorld has already sold more than 1 MW of its aluminum frame glass-to-glass modules in Japan over the last two months, said Max von Romatowski, MD for SolarWorld Asia Pacific.

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Consolidation grips solar EPC sector

Consolidation grips solar EPC sector

The 30 largest engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies in the global PV sector expanded their share of the world’s non-residential PV capacity last year by 5 percent, according to a new report by research group IHS Technology.

The IHS PV EPC and Project Market Tracker report from IHS' Power & Energy service found that global non-residential PV additions climbed 20 percent in 2013, providing a major boost to the leading EPC firms.

"We see integrators in the U.S. and China rapidly executing very large pipelines, which accounts for some of the notable growth last year," said Josefin Berg, senior analyst for solar demand at IHS.

The overall growth in the non-residential sector made led to a quadrupling of installations for China's TBEA Sun Oasis to approximately 1 GW – putting the integrator in second place, behind No. 1 the EPC operator, Arizona-based First Solar, which doubled its installation capacity in non-residential markets to more than 1.1 GW, according to IHS.

Nine of the world’s top 10 entities are Chinese and U.S. integrators that actively pursue large utility-scale projects, mainly conducted in their home markets, the report found. IHS predicts growing local opportunities will propel these leading companies to gain further market share.

The only European-based integrator among the top 10 in 2013 was Abengoa of Spain, which is pursuing opportunities in the U.S. to build up installations worth 260 MW.

According to HIS, the trend will continue in 2014 as China and North America maintain their momentum as the markets to watch for large utility-scale PV.

Planned PV projects in U.S. and China swell to 50 percent of global PV pipeline

"Currently under construction in the United States are at least 2.5 GW worth of projects larger than 20 MW, and plans for another 2.1 GW are afoot in China," the report says. Globally, 123 projects larger than 20 MW are also being built in other countries, amounting to some 7.6 GW in total. IHS predicts First Solar will maintain its position among the top three leading integrators this year in view of the 770 MW the company is currently constructing.

The global PV pipeline tracked by IHS adds up to 114 GW in nearly 10,000 projects in various stages from under construction to early- phase planning. Half of this capacity is in the U.S. and China. Of the global pipeline, 10 GW is under construction, while another 10 GW has secured power purchase agreements (PPA) or other contracts.

"The road from first planning a project to final execution is paved with challenges," Berg noted. "Even after permits have been secured, PPAs signed and suppliers identified, troubles in obtaining finance or overhauled government policies can block or delay projects. This is particularly true in emerging markets, but financing can be a challenge also in more mature European markets."

Tougher market for regional PV integrators in Europe

In the U.K., the highly competitive PV environment has left two major PV integrators, S.A.G. Solarstrom AG and Wirsol AG, insolvent in the midst of high ambitions. As a result, Wirsol had to sell off its 100 MW pipeline to Conergy AG.

According to IHS, the U.K.'s trimmed Renewable Obligation Credits (ROC) scheme led to higher financial risks for EPC suppliers in Britain, which are expected to cover all costs during the construction process, until the projects are accredited for ROC, a process that can take more than six months after project completion.

"This long process put system integrators at risk of running out of cash before the project is sold and paid for," Berg observed. "Consequently, the most successful EPC companies building PV plants in the U.K. are either backed by venture capital, or form part of larger construction groups."

In the former category is an integrator like Solarcentury; in the latter are players like Isolux Corsan, Martifer, Oskomera and Goldbeck.

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Russia to pave way for PV

Russia to pave way for PV

In a bid to boost investment in Russia’s renewable energy sector, the Russian government is drawing up plans to hold annual auctions for major RES projects.

Russian deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich announced the proposal at a recent meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his staffers.

"The draft is in the pipeline and is expected to be signed by the Prime Minister soon once it is ready. When passed it will serve as an encouragement for solar, wind and hydro power developers," Dvorkovich said.

The plan is similar to proposals unveiled in 2012 for a renewable energy project auction program.

Through annual auctions, developers will offer their renewables projects to investors who will compete for the projects and secure rights for 15 years.

Renewable energy projects are expected to offer lucrative returns on investment of no less than 14 percent as well as payment for power generation. The yearly limit for the total volume of power generation from the facilities will be capped at 6 to 7 GW, however.

In preparation for the new legislation, Medvedev has ordered an easing of lending conditions for sustainable energy developers, asking respective governmental bodies and state co-owned banks to work out a plan of measures aimed at supporting renewable energy projects. Among the government’s proposed measures is an extension of loan granting terms as well as setting interest rates at the minimum level. The Ministry of Economic Development is to sum up the proposals by July. 23.

Medvedev also told ministries to work out measures to promote the industrial use of biomass in power generation.

Meanwhile, Rossetti (Russian Grids), a Russian power company comprising of interregional and regional distribution grid companies, announced that it would be connecting its first ever solar PV plant to its grid this year. The 5 MW solar facility is slated to begin operation in the third quarter of the year in the locality of Kosh-Agach in the Russian Republic of Altai. The company as another 5 MW solar plant that is set to come online in 2015.

"The introduction of solar technologies is especially important in remote regions, where developing conventional power networks is encumbered by the terrain, but where the solar exposure plays an important role," said Vladimir Sofjin, head of Technology Development Department at Russian Grids. "Hence, employing solarPV power can be turned into a maximum economic and technological effect."

The Russian government plans to increase solar generation to a total of 1.5 GW by 2020.

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REC Silicon to launch joint venture in China

REC Silicon to launch joint venture in China

REC Silicon is expanding operations in China by teaming with Shaanxi Non-Ferrous Tian Hong New Energy Co., Ltd., on a new joint venture.

The Washington-based Norwegian group's subsidiaries REC Silicon AS and REC Silicon Inc entered into agreements with the Chinese company to form the new business, which will include production and sales joint ventures between REC Silicon AS and Shaanxi Non-Ferrous.

REC Silicon Inc signed a technology transfer deal with the company in order to transfer the exclusive, non-transferrable right to use its technology in China and Taiwan to the production joint venture.

The production venture will construct and operate a new plant for the production of silane gas, solar and electronic grade polysilicon utilizing REC Silicon's next generation fluidized bed reactor (FBR) technology.

"This joint venture is a key step in the worldwide growth of REC Silicon and will strengthen its leadership position in the industry," said REC Silicon CEO Tore Torvund. "It demonstrates the value of our technology and allows us to expand our capacity without requiring REC Silicon to use its current assets or to raise other funds in order to make its capital contribution."

The new plant will be located in Yulin, in Shaanxi Province, and is expected to have a capacity of 18,000 metric tons of granular polysilicon, an additional 1,000 metric tons of Siemens polysilicon and 500 metric tons of silane gas loading.

As part of these agreements, REC Silicon expects to receive upfront payments from Shaanxi Non-Ferrous totaling US$198 million in March and August for the production business' rights to use its technology. The company said the upfront payments would allow it to meet its 2014 debt obligations and increase its financial stability.

REC Silicon will contribute $244 million over the next three years in order to acquire a 49 percent equity interest in the production joint venture, while the Chinese group will pay $254 million over the same period for a 51 percent interest.

REC Silicon and Shaanxi Non-ferrous will also establish their 50-50 sales joint venture close to the start-up of the production business and determine the amount of capital contributions at a later date. This sales operation will oversee the marketing and sales of all products from the new production joint venture and all equivalent products from REC facilities in the United States.

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US Interior Department greenlights 550 MW projects in California, Nevada

US Interior Department greenlights 550 MW projects in California, Nevada

The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday announced the approval of two solar projects in the states of California and Nevada proposed by First Solar that will have a combined capacity of 550 MW.

The first plant, the 300 MW Stateline Solar Farm Project, will go up in San Bernardino County, California, on approximately 1,685 acres (682 hectares ) of public land located two miles (3.2 kilometers) south of the California-Nevada border. The PV facility, which will generate enough electricity to power some 90,000 homes, will connect to the grid via a 4.3-kilometer, 220-kilovolt transmission line.

The second installation, the 250 MW Silver State South Solar Project will be located near Primm, Nevada, on approximately 2,400 acres (971 hectares) of public land. The facility is expected to power about 80,000 homes and will be built adjacent to the 50 MW Silver State North Project, the first solar plant on public lands to deliver power to the grid.

Southern California Edison has agreed to purchase the projects’ energy output for 20 years.

First Solar agreed to undertake significant project design changes and mitigation measures to minimize impacts to wildlife, water, historical, cultural and other resources, according to the Interior Department.

The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) worked on the Stateline proposal to reduce the project’s footprint by more than 20 percent to avoid and minimize project impacts, the agency said. In addition, as part of ongoing efforts to protect the threatened desert tortoise, the BLM is expanding the nearby Ivanpah Desert Wildlife Management Area by more than 20,000 acres (8,094 hectares) and requiring that the developer achieve 3:1 compensatory mitigation for desert tortoise for its 1,685 acres (682 hectares).

For the Silver State South project, the project design was modified to reduce the size of the facility by 100 MW. In addition, First Solar will have to pay more than $3.6 million for desert tortoise mitigation and $3.5 million for studies intended to guide future efforts to protect the desert tortoise in the project area. The company is also required to assess the project’s potential adverse impact if archaeological properties at the site are found to be eligible for National Register of Historic Places listing.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said pointed out that in implementing the Obama administration's Climate Action Plan, "we need to do so in a way that takes the long view and avoids or minimizes conflicts with important natural and cultural resources."

Despite the federal agency's efforts to mitigate potential threats to the desert tortoise, which was officially listed as a threatened species in 1994, some environmental groups have continued to oppose the facilities.

Michael J. Connor, California Director of the Western Watersheds Project, told the Associated Press that the plants would effectively isolate the tortoises' habitats, eventually shrinking the gene pool.

"Once you have populations that are isolated they are more prone to chance events like disease die-offs and the like," he said.

BLM Principal Deputy Director Neil Kornze said the "solar projects reflect exemplary cooperation between the Bureau of Land Management and other federal, state and local agencies, enabling a thorough environmental review and robust mitigation provisions."

The Interior Department said the projects would support more than 700 jobs through construction and operations and generate enough electricity to power about 170,000 homes.

The PV projects marked the 49th and 50th utility-scale renewable energy projects that the Interior Department has approved on public lands since 2009, including 27 solar, 11 wind and 12 geothermal projects with a combined capacity of 14 GW, among them the 377 MW Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, which began full commercial operation last week in California.

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Air Force boasts biggest solar plant among US military installations

Air Force boasts biggest solar plant among US military installations

California's SunEdison and MIC Solar Energy Holdings have completed a 16.4 MW  PV plant located at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base outside Tucson, Arizona.

The plant is the largest solar energy facility at any U.S. Department of Defense installation and is expected to reduce the Air Force's utility costs by $500,000 annually for the next 25 years.

"This project was very rewarding for our team because we are helping save our fellow taxpayers' money," said Bob Powell, SunEdison president of North America. "The Air Force, like other branches of the armed forces, is a perfect candidate for solar power because they have high electricity demands and often have large plots of underutilized land."

SunEdison said the project was made possible by a public-private alliance between Davis-Monthan AFB, SunEdison, the North American Development Bank (NADB), MIC Solar Energy, Chevron Energy Solutions and local officials.

MIC Solar Energy, a subsidiary of Macquarie Infrastructure Company, specializes in infrastructure investments and took ownership of the project. The SunEdison Renewable Operation Center (ROC), which provides global 24/7 asset management, monitoring and reporting services, will manage plant operations through a contract with MIC Solar Energy.

The plant, which is located on two plots of previously underutilized land totaling 170 acres (69 hectares), is designed to provide 35 percent of the base's electricity requirements and is expected to generate enough electricity each year to power 5,173 houses. As the largest consumer of energy in the federal government, the Air Force is working to increase its use of renewable electricity to 25 percent by 2025.

The Davis-Monthan AFB solar power plant utilizes SunEdison SilvantisTM Solar Photovoltaic Modules, which are assembled with SunEdison polysilicon and wafers.

The project news follows publication of SunEdison's 2013 fourth-quarter figures on Wednesday.Article From PV Magazine

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