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Monday, Aug 25, 2014

Strategies for Mitigating the Reduction in Economic Value of Variable Generation with Increasing Penetration Levels

Looking at 4 variable generation technologies (wind, single-axis tracking PV, CSP with no storage, & CSP with thermal energy storage), the authors look at the benefits of mitigation measures. In particular, the authors are looking at specific mitigation measures to first find those measures that provide an increase to the value of variable generation technologies and then seeks to determine whether such mitigation measures are themselves economically attractive. Some of the conclusions the authors come to: 

Monday, Aug 18, 2014

Comparing Photovoltaic (PV) Costs and Deployment Drivers in the Japanese and U.S. Residential and Commercial Markets

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory releases their new report "Comparing Photovoltaic (PV) Costs and Deployment Drivers in the Japanese and U.S. Residential and Commercial Markets". Key findings from the report found that system prices as well as soft costs were cheaper in Japan. In particular, customer acquisition and system design were both found to be significantly lower in Japan than the US. 

Monday, Jul 28, 2014

IREC's US Solar Market Trends Report 2014

IREC's annual US Solar Market Trends Report 2014 gathers and analyzes publicly available data for US solar installations by technology, state and market sector. 

Tuesday, Jul 08, 2014

New Nevada Study Shows Huge Upside to Installing Solar

A new independent study prepared for the Nevada Public Utilities Commission estimates that the grid benefits of rooftop solar systems installed in the state through 2016 will outweigh costs by more than $36 million, confirming that solar energy can provide real savings for both solar and non-solar customers alike.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Report Details Opportunities for Advanced Electronics as PV Penetration Increases

With a projected growth rate of 300% in the US over the next four years, distributed solar presents a number of challenges to the current distribution grid. This report from GTM Research details the new power electronics equipment used to address these challenges and provides descriptions of key markets, financing activity in the sector and state level market forecasting.

Monday, May 12, 2014

LBNL Analyzes Project Finance Impacts Under Reduced ITC Scenario

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) recently released a report detailing possible impacts on solar project financing in light of possible reductions to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC).  The report finds that a reduction in the ITC will lead to increased use of debt instruments and decreased use of tax equity.

Tuesday, Apr 29, 2014

International Energy Agency Releases PVPS Annual Report

The International Energy Agency has released its Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) Annual Report 2013, detailing solar market conditions and updating installation data for each of the 29 member countries.  The report also provides updates on several joint tasks undertaken by the committee.  

Tuesday, Apr 01, 2014

National Labs Explore Differences in Installed PV Pricing between U.S. and Japan

A recent joint report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds that installed PV system prices in Japan are 6% lower than U.S. prices in the residential sector, and 20% lower than U.S. prices in the small commercial sector. Some of this difference is attributed to lower soft costs in Japan.

Monday, Oct 01, 2012

Help Reduce PV Installation Soft Costs

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is working to reduce the soft costs (non-hardware) associated with PV installation.  As part of this effort, they are collecting data from PV installers across the country who have installed residential or commericial systems in the first half of 2012.  The collected data will be used to help develop best practices in regulation and permitting, while allowing NREL to develop baseline models to guage progress and develop strategies going forward.  With recen

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