Finance Firm Sees Wind, Solar Cost Plunge
Renewable energy advocates have long argued that subsidies for wind, solar and other forms of clean power would eventually drive down their costs and allow them to be competitive with conventional, dirty energy (itself often subsidized).
It looks like they could be right – to an unexpected degree.
An analysis by financial advisory and asset management firm Lazard has found that the levelized cost of energy from wind power has plunged by more than 50 percent in the past four years.
“While many had anticipated significant declines in the cost of utility-scale solar PV, few anticipated these sorts of cost declines for wind technology,” the report said.
Wind isn’t the only clean energy technology making remarkable progress, according to the Lazard analysis. Solar is on a winning trend as well:
The current and anticipated costs of all forms of utility-scale solar PV continue to decline; the study estimates that the LCOE of leading technologies has fallen by more than 50 percent in the last four years. Utility-scale solar PV is a competitive source of peak energy as compared with conventional generation in many parts of the world, without any subsidies (appreciating the important qualitative differences related to dispatch characteristics and other factors).
Output from green power drops in Canada
Federal statistics show that the contribution from renewable energy sources continues to decline, compared with conventional carbon-based fuel sources.
Growing US Solar Market for the second quarter of 2013
Solarbuzz published its North America PV Markets quarterly report and results are good. For the second quarter of the year, our solar capacity increased with an addition of 976MW.
iSolar Exchange Offers Private Sales Exchange Networks to Connect Solar Buyers & Sellers Online
The iSolar Exchange online marketplace is designed to create a secure site that connects the entire supply, manufacture, and delivery channels for solar and renewable energy products and services - worldwide.
SolarWorld appeals two trade-case findings to Court of International Trade in New York
Appeals could significantly raise import duties for many Chinese solar producers
Solar-cell manufacturing costs: innovation could level the field
It’s widely believed that China is the world’s dominant manufacturer of solar panels because of its low labor costs and strong government support. But a new study by researchers at MIT and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that other factors are actually more significant — suggesting that the United States could once again become cost-competitive in photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing.
As of 2011, manufacturers in China accounted for 63 percent of all solar-panel production worldwide. But a detailed analysis of all costs associated with PV production shows that the main contributors to that country’s lower PV prices are economies of scale and well-developed supply chains — not cheap labor.
“We developed a bottom-up model,” explains Tonio Buonassisi, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT and a co-author of the new report, just published in the journal Energy and Environmental Science . The researchers estimated costs for virtually all the materials, labor, equipment and overhead involved in the PV manufacturing process.
“We added up the costs of each individual step,” he says, providing an analysis that’s “very rigorous, it’s down in the weeds. It doesn’t rely solely on self-reported figures from manufacturers’ quarterly reports. We really took great care to make sure our numbers were representative of actual factory costs.”
AXEON Introduces New Integrated Solutions Platform
Leading water treatment manufacturer launches new program to streamline offering with easier product identification and selection
The Geothermal Resources Council Announces 2013 Amateur Photo Contest Entries
The 34th Amateur Photo Contest winners will be announced at the GRC Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Ballard Engineering Services Programs Driving Value Creation in Development Stage Markets
Ballard Power Systems confirms that a range of Engineering Services programs currently underway are expected to generate significant value for the Company and its shareholders.
TGEP company in Illinois becomes exclusive distributor for clipper creek chargers
TGEP located in Crest Hill, IL was picked up by Clipper Creek to there exclusive distributor for the Midwest region. TGEP will provide discounted rates for installing the EV chargers
TRA Snow and Sun offers a new improved website that focuses on ease of use and product information
TRA Snow and Sun, Inc. is pleased to announce a new website aimed to help contractors,
engineers, architects and homeowners find products and information they are looking with new
filter capabilities like roof type, construction type, or material type.
2nd MPS 2013 Meets in Yangon, Evaluates Myanmar's Power Demand and Supply Situation
CMT's 2nd Myanmar Power Summit, in Yangon on 23-25 September 2013, seeks to enlighten participants about the recent developments in Myanmar's real estate sector, including government plans, opportunities, and foreign investment role in meeting Myanmar's mammoth electricity & utilities demand.
FRONIUS USA LAUNCHING FRONIUS GALVO STRING INVERTER AT SOLAR POWER INTERNATIONAL 2013
Fronius USA will launch the newest addition to its impressive string inverter lineup at Solar Power International 2013 with the single-phase Fronius Galvo.
Major Renewable Energy Conference to Examine Industry Future
Industry leaders will take on the uncertain future of the renewable energy industry when they gather for the 2013 Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition (RETECH). The conference will feature key leaders and decision makers who will share insights on renewable energy and what the foreseeable future holds for an industry that faces major hurdles over financing, cost and public perception.
"RETECH has become a key meeting place for the renewable energy industry with government, utility, technology and finance professionals from 35 countries discussing the ways they're driving the growth of renewable energy in the US and around the world," said Jenn Heinold, Vice President, RETECH. "I am very excited for this diverse group of industry voices who play a central role as we look toward the future of renewables."
Speakers and panel discussions at RETECH 2013 will address major issues facing the industry including project financing, how our markets are trending, and what role our government will play in the industry future. Industry experts will join Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) in the opening panel (Through the looking glass: The future of renewable energy technology) as they discuss the latest trends and predictions.
Major Renewable Energy Conference to Examine Industry Future
2013 Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition (RETECH) addresses changing industry and vision for the future
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