Feed-in tariff cut for solar

HOUSEHOLDS planning on installing solar panels will miss out on a key incentive when the state government’s feed-in tariff is cut in four weeks’ time.

It is the second announcement affecting the renewable energy sector in a week and has angered sustainability groups.

Last week wind farms planned for Woodend and Castlemaine found out they would face building restrictions after the state government set up ‘no-go zones’ and planning restrictions.

Energy Minster Michael O’Brien announced the premium feed-in tariff for rooftop solar panels would be reduced from 60¢ per kilowatt hour to a temporary price of 25¢ for houses not signed up by September 30.

“There’s a big impact for those people who have solar panels installed but not yet connected... particularly for bigger systems,” Goldfields Solar Hub project spokeswoman Karen Corr said.

The Bendigo Sustainability Group has written an open letter to Premier Ted Baillieu outlining its opposition to the wind and solar announcements.

“We are perplexed to understand your position on this considering you were advocating for a gross feed-in tariff scheme prior to the election,” it read.

Mr O’Brien said the new price for power fed back into the grid would ensure “families without solar panels do not face unreasonably higher costs through their electricity bills”.

This claim was rejected by Bendigo Sustainability Group and the Alternative Technology Association, who said electricity prices would go up regardless.

The ATA energy projects and policy manager Damien Moyse said it could now take to 15 to 20 years to pay off solar systems as the temporary tariff only lasted five years.

The premium feed-in tariff was introduced by the Labor government to encourage solar panel uptake but was to be reviewed once 100 megawatts was reached by producers.

Houses already receiving the 60¢ feed-in tariff will not be affected by the new rates.

PGE and ODOT break ground on solar highway project

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez joined Portland General Electric and the Oregon Department Transportation Tuesday to break ground on a $10 million solar array at the Baldock Rest Area on Interstate 5 south of Wilsonville.

The project comprises almost 7,000 panels spread over seven acres of land owned by ODOT behind the rest area. It will generate up to 1.97 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year -- about 9 percent of the electricity consumed by the agency in the utility's service territory. PGE hopes to flip the switch in January.

Like most renewable energy projects, the $10 million solar array has complex and heavily subsidized financing. Bank of America is the owner and "tax equity partner" for the deal under a sale-leaseback transaction with PGE, which will build, operate and buy power from the project. PGE, which has no appetite for the tax deductions, has the option to buy the project after six years when the bank has realized the state and federal credits.

Oregon taxpayers are the biggest contributors to the project in the form of a business energy tax credit equal to nearly 50 percent of its cost. Federal tax breaks are good for another 30 percent of the cost. Oregon ratepayers contributed $1.75 million from the public purpose charges that are tacked on to their electricity bills each month and administered by the Energy Trust of Oregon. PGE's green power customers, who pay a premium on their monthly bills to buy renewable power, also made a $250,000 contribution to the project.

More
The Oregonian’s continuing coverage of Oregon's largest solar highway project at Baldock I-5 rest area.
Renewable energy credits generated by the project will go to the ETO, ODOT and PGE, helping those organizations meet renewable energy and carbon reduction targets.

Organizers stressed that the Baldock array is an "all-Oregon" effort, with solar panels made by SolarWorld in Hillsboro, inverters from Advanced Energy of Bend, and consulting, construction and other materials provided by local firms. An interpretive display will be installed at the rest stop so travelers can learn about the array.

China Sunergy Receives MCS Certificate to Produce Photovoltaic Solar Panels

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: CSUN) ("China Sunergy" or "The Company"), a specialized solar cell and module manufacturer, today announced that the Company has been awarded a Certificate under the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme issued by BABT (British Approvals Board for Telecommunications) for its modules. BABT is an accredited MCS certification body and one of the world's leading certification bodies, whose global brand is widely respected. The certificate, which is valid through April 24, 2014, authorizes CSUN photovoltaic solar panels to be sold with the MCS approved product mark.

With this MCS certificate, China Sunergy is in a better position to expand in the U.K. market, further diversify its customer base and build up brand recognition for its solar module products. The concept behind the MCS certificate is to reduce the UK's reliance on fossil fuels and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. MCS underpins government policies on low carbon and renewable onsite energy technologies and supports the UK's overall effort in meeting EU 2020 Renewable Obligations targets.

Mr. Stephen Cai, the Chief Executive Officer of CSUN, commented, "We are very pleased with this news. This is not only a recognition of our product quality, but also a great opportunity for CSUN to step into the UK, an emerging yet strategically important market for our solar products."

About China Sunergy Co., Ltd.

China Sunergy Co., Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer of solar cell and module products in China. China Sunergy manufactures solar cells from silicon wafers, which utilize crystalline silicon solar cell technology to convert sunlight directly into electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect, and assembles solar cells into solar modules. China Sunergy sells these solar products to Chinese and overseas module manufacturers, system integrators, and solar power systems for use in various markets.