L R AS Published on Monday 30 January 2023 - n° 432 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 29 January 2023 (No. 432)
The focus
While renewable energies seem to be the future of humanity, why is there no European policy to stimulate the industry? Why do open letters, or associations fail to make themselves heard by the European Commission? Why does the European dependence on Russian gas, which has caused so much economic disruption over the past twelve months, not alert leaders to the much more sensitive dependence on Chinese photovoltaic production? These few questions remain unexplained in commentary and policy decisions. An AFP document that Solar News obtained explains what seemed to be an enigma
L R AS Published on Monday 23 January 2023 - n° 431 - Categories:News of the Month
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L R AS Published on Monday 16 January 2023 - n° 430 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 15 January 2023
The most important point: the world of photovoltaics has changed dramatically
In just a few weeks, the world of photovoltaics has changed dramatically. The fall in the price of silicon is sustainable and will be profound. It will have repercussions for the entire industry. The drop in prices will boost global demand. At the same time, China is playing its role as world leader in photovoltaics. We can bet that it will be cooperative, diligent and a good supplier. Industrialists will be Chinese lovers!
A look at the historic decline in silicon and therefore panels in 2023
1st important point In France
- a limited and more targeted offer, hence the Successful PP2 tender (in France)
- Finally, we have some information about the PV situation in France. It comes from Enerplan: many large solar projects in France had to be postponed in the second half of the year
- The connection statistics for the third quarter: Connections in France in Q3 2022
2nd secondary point The economic situation in the sector
- Falling demand for solar wafers causes prices to fall further
- Silicon prices have plummeted since mid-December
- The recent evolution of the silicon price
- What retailers and manufacturers are expecting in 2023 according to pvXchange
L R AS Published on Tuesday 13 December 2022 - n° 428 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 11 December 2022
The most important point
The future of the new reindustrialisation plan will only be clear if we know how the European Commission is acting. During the first year of its presidency, it has often asserted, often occupied the podium, regularly changed its plans and announced substantial spending programmes without In the first year of its presidency, it has often claimed, often occupied the podium, regularly changed its plans and announced substantial spending programmes without it being known whether or not they were spent. The new reindustrialisation plan is therefore worrying.
A look at the European Commission's industrial recovery plan
L R AS Published on Wednesday 7 December 2022 - n° 427 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 4 December 2022
The main point
The history of photovoltaics could be the history of the search for the space where it will be installed. It started with large power plants; the corresponding spaces became increasingly difficult to find. This led to trials on lakes and water bodies, and attempts were made to install them on oceans, motorways and railways. For the past few semesters, it is believed that they have found their place on agricultural land. Resistance is already being organised.
So we have to find somewhere else, especially if we combine wind power and photovoltaics to increase the amount of energy produced in the same place.
A look at an innovation that will revolutionise current photovoltaic technology
1st important point: One third of the world's silicon production is waste and dust. It is therefore interesting to recycle this wasted production. This is the subject of a European programme
Recovering one third of silicon production
2nd secondary point:covering panels with cultivated fields reduces soil evaporation and reduces the need for watering
Significant reduction in evaporation on agri-voltaic plots
3rd (subsidiary) point point (subsidiary) Prices are starting to fall in the industry, even if silicon manufacturers are trying to resist.
After the decline in wafer prices, the decline in cell prices.
Other interesting points :
Big blockage of Chinese PV products in US ports
Solar power from floating plants is competitive in southern Europe
Unsubsidised heat pumps are already competitive
L R AS Published on Monday 28 November 2022 - n° 426 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 27 November 2022
The main point Encouraging signs in the PV market
The photovoltaic market is showing encouraging signs this week. The difficult period of the last 24 months seems to be over. The price of silicon is turning around, encouraged by LONGi and Zhonghuan. Each stage of the industry is demanding lower prices from its suppliers. Only the panel manufacturers are not under the same pressure. Indeed, buyers are in a hurry to obtain panels.
Other price components (sea freight, interest rates) are moving in favourable directions. There is still the threat of the pandemic in China, and the supply of inverters, batteries and components remains problematic. But this should improve.
A look at the glimmers of hope that illuminate photovoltaics
L R AS Published on Monday 21 November 2022 - n° 425 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 20 November 2022
The key point
China has gradually gained dominance in photovoltaics and batteries, two products of the future, to the point where it now holds 70% to 90% of world production. The realisation of this domination came with the pandemic, which disrupted production, road and sea transport. The cut-off of Russian gas supplies showed the danger of depending on an overly dominant supplier. Europe has not yet developed a comprehensive response to this domination. The United States has done so. But the task is immense because it is necessary to practically reconstitute a complete economy with factories, but also to have the know-how, and to produce objects that are competitive in terms of quality and price. The challenge is huge.
L R AS Published on Monday 14 November 2022 - n° 424 - Categories:News of the Month
What to remember this week, as of 13 November 2022
The key point
While everyone is calling on the European authorities to set up a system to limit Chinese panel imports, which are increasing more and more until they account for a third of total Chinese production in 2022, to the point where the slightest retaliatory measures are impossible to accept by the authorities and Chinese manufacturers, a glimmer of light comes from the European Commission's report on the situation in China.In the meantime, while everyone is calling on the European authorities to set up a system to limit Chinese imports, which are increasing more and more until they account for a third of total Chinese production in 2022, to the point where the slightest retaliatory measures are impossible for the Chinese authorities and industrialists to accept, a glimmer of light is coming from the IPVF and from Voltec. The company has agreed to start producing revolutionary cells and panels. Is this the beginning of a photovoltaic reindustrialisation in Europe? Or is it just an attempt without a future? Whatever the outcome of this attempt, it provides a dose of dynamism and reconquest that should be welcomed.
L R AS Published on Monday 7 November 2022 - n° 423 - Categories:News of the Month
What to remember this week, as of 6 November 2022
The key point
There was no indication that the world's joint number one wafer producer would propose a price cut for its products. It would have been normal for silicon manufacturers to initiate the price cut, which would have been the signal everyone was waiting for. The fact that a wafer manufacturer is the first to do so is intriguing. One wonders whether this is a local movement without a future, or the beginning of a movement that will grow.
A look at Zhonghuan's wafer price cut: Is it an isolated initiative or a global movement?
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1st important point: the French government is trying to reduce the time required before the construction of solar power plants
Shortening of administrative appeal periods in France
2nd point: the manufacturers of trackers (NEXTracker and Array) announce that they have developed a system to avoid levelling the ground before construction
Reducing earthworks on site, more important information than it seems
3rd (subsidiary) point (subsidiary) 3rd point (subsidiary): a research company has calculated the benefits of 50 GW more or less solar electricity in Germany
An interesting study: what is the point of having 50 GW more RE in Germany?
Other interesting points :
China installed 52.6 GW in nine months
Risen Energy compares PERC, HJT and TOPCon panel yields
SMA Solar raises its profit forecast
Verkor continues to raise capital to build its battery factory
L R AS Published on Wednesday 2 November 2022 - n° 422 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 30 October 2022
The main point
The photovoltaic world has been largely disrupted over the past six months. In addition to Covid 19, which has caused supply difficulties between factories, and in addition to energy shortages which have also penalised the course of business, professionals in the sector have suffered from the rise in the price of silicon. This has favoured producers but also wafer manufacturers who have raised their prices and improved their profitability. On the other hand, the panel assemblers, who are in contact with the end customers, were not able to pass on the increase in silicon prices as well. They have put pressure on cell producers to absorb a large part of the price increase upstream.
With the statistics published this week by AECEA and PV InfoLink, plus the half-yearly or nine-monthly accounts of Chinese manufacturers in the industry, we sought to take stock of the industry.
A look at recent developments in the Chinese PV industry
industry with
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The first important point: the French government wants to try to remedy the lack of interest of developers in its calls for tender. Developers have to face an increase in costs between the study of the file and the attribution of lots. Hence the idea of taking account of price variations upwards or downwards. The announcement would be imminent.
Soon, reform of PV tendering mechanisms to take account of inflation
2nd secondary point: intermittency is the real obstacle to the generalisation of solar or wind energy. pvXchange believes that it would be greatly reduced by coupling these two energies which do not have the same production period
Energy security depends on the coordination of solar and wind power, according to pvXchange
3rd (subsidiary) point (subsidiary) A detailed study of the evolution of this activity, with the forces that are shaking this niche
An overview of the main wafer manufacturers
Other points of interest :
France to produce lithium in 2028
Voltalia presents its objectives for 2027 (five years from now):
Geostrategic change in Europe: the emergence of the Iberian Peninsula
L R AS Published on Wednesday 26 October 2022 - n° 421 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 23 October
The main pointWhat is the the trend on power purchase agreements?
Are there many PPAs being signed at the moment? It is difficult to say. What is true is that industrialists would very much like to conclude such agreements in order to fix the price of their energy and thus to strengthen their competitive position.
Is this also the case for developers? It is very difficult to say: they have to adapt to a market price for electricity that fluctuates considerably. Is it to their advantage to commit themselves for a certain number of years or is it in their interest to sell their production on the free market? The price per kilowatt hour reached record highs in August, justifying retail sales. Will it return to the August 2022 level this winter? The uncertainties make them cautious and even reluctant.
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First important point: American researchers have discovered a new way to charge batteries. This paves the way for lighter batteries.
New way to speed up EV charging
2nd point: alleviating the silicon shortage and a strong demand for panels to improve the ecological situation will lead to a very strong global growth in PV installations in 2022
Significant increase in global PV installations in 2022
Point 3 point (subsidiary) The commissioning of new silicon production units increases capacity by 25% in the 4th quarter. Price trend changes direction
The silicon price increase is complete
Other interesting points :
GreenYellow is acquired by Ardian
Second storage plant for Neoen in Brittany
L R AS Published on Wednesday 19 October 2022 - n° 420 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 16 October
The main point
There has been some good news published very recently. It is the volume of panels imported into Europe in 2022; it is the revival of European orders from German equipment manufacturers; it is the financial interest in installing solar power plants in EuropeIt is also the need to replace Russian gas with solar (and wind) installations; and finally, it is the European Commission's expression of interest in an industrial revival. It is rare that there is so much positive information in ten days.
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First important point: the rate of return of a power plant varies with the selling price of the electricity produced. At €180 per MWh, it takes only six years to pay back the production cost. At €400, only one year! This heralds a rush on PV installations and storage
Record energy prices boost demand for RE and energy storage
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Secondary point: The
PV capacity update from Clean Energy Associates
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3rd point (subsidiary) The rapid price changes on the wholesale electricity market are hampering the conclusion of contracts because there are still too many unknowns: what price should we trust? what will be the price evolution? When will prices start to fall?
The PPA market over the past year
PPA players are confused by prices and regulations
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Other interesting points :
A fast-charging graphene-based battery
100% of electricity demand covered by RE in Greece
A process to replace silver with copper
Formation of a European association of battery manufacturers
AS Published on Tuesday 11 October 2022 - n° 419 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 9 October
The overriding point:
Europe has four urgent problems to deal with: the war in Ukraine, rising energy prices, inflation, rising interest rates. How should these issues be prioritised? How can we get out of the pressure of each of these four factors, when each of them has an effect on the daily life of the French (Europeans)?
The urgency of the problems to be solved means that their incorporation into a long-term view, into the definition of a desirable future, into a strategic plan
Will we be subjected to them or will we remain masters of our own destiny?
A look at the priority to be given to the war, the price of energy, inflation, interest rates
L R AS Published on Wednesday 5 October 2022 - n° 418 - Categories:News of the Month
What to remember this week, as of 2 October 2022
The most important point : comparison European and Indian conditions
The sky is darkening for the European photovoltaic industry. It does not seem to have regained its pre-covid dynamism. It has been targeted by the European Commission as one of the beneficiaries of rising electricity prices. It now faces rising interest rates.
Indian photovoltaics is supported by the government. Manufacturers have launched large capacity expansion programmes and have come up with new products to match the Chinese ones. Europeans are not participating in this expansion
First important point: the use of solar was clear in 2021 where half of the new generators used photovoltaics. With wind, nuclear and hydro, 40% of electricity needs are covered
Wind and solar power generation provided more than 10% of global electricity demand
2nd secondary point:researchers have found a way to reduce the cost of producing green hydrogen
Hydrogen (LCOH) would already cost less than $3/kg
but researchers are reluctant to generalise the use of hydrogen
3rd (subsidiary) point (subsidiary) 3rd point (subsidiary): this organisation is part of the energy sobriety trend to get through the next winter in good conditions
50 energy saving measures presented by negaWatt
Other interesting points :
A bill to accelerate renewable energies was presented to the Council of Ministers on 26 September
L R AS Published on Tuesday 27 September 2022 - n° 417 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 25 September 2022
The key point: how to deal with the staff shortage
The professional unions draw the attention of the public authorities to the administrative obstacles to obtaining building permits. They also insist on the shortage of construction workers. Various solutions have been put forward: increasing professional training, giving bonuses or advantages when recruiting, insisting on the promotions offered by these professions of the future.
The Western world has always been confronted with a shortage of labour. When the shortage was too great, a solution was found in the automation of the activity. Photovoltaics seems to have reached this limit. It needs to move towards a greater use of machines. Plant construction equipment is already appearing. This is the "New Frontier" of photovoltaics. This deserves to be examined
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Important point1: the prospects for the use of batteries are considerable. As a result, the volume of materials to manufacture them is increasing considerably, indicating a growing shortage. Prices are exploding.
If the price of batteries rises and the price of electricity for recharging explodes, what will be the future of electric vehicles?
The price of lithium keeps rising
Secondly, everyone agrees that photovoltaics should develop strongly in the next few years. However, the number of employees in Europe in 2021 varies from one to two depending on the source. The same applies to employment prospects!
Strong increase in PV employment in Europe in 2021 and by 2030 according to SPE
Global employment in energy, electricity and photovoltaics according to the IEA
3rd point point (subsidiary) 3rd point (subsidiary): the shift in the US photovoltaic industry support law has not yet been fully explained. Hence the many intentions to build new plants or expand existing ones:
The benefits of the US Inflation Reduction Act (PV)
The benefits of the US Inflation Reduction Act (batteries)
A new era for made-in-USA solar
Other interesting points :
Canadian Solar bets on batteries
Enerplan presents its "giga solar shield