L R AS Published on Tuesday 23 May 2023 - n° 446 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the two photovoltaic plant projects
Listening to the reactions to the words of the President of the Republic on the occasion of the relaunch of the industrialisation of France, one wonders in what world we live, or rather the content of the PV projects presented intrigues. It seems that words are more important than action, that speeches avoid organising daily life, that the presentation of projects is more important than their realisation. We look at the words, but not at the people who say them. No attempt is made to determine whether the professional quality is sufficient to achieve the objective, the project, the mission. They don't want to judge relevance, but rely solely on the eloquence of the speaker. And we want to save money?
L R AS Published on Tuesday 16 May 2023 - n° 445 - Categories:PV Watch, News of the Month
What to remember this week on 14 May 2023
The point in evidence The point: will France and Europe have too many battery production plants?
Mr Macron was particularly pleased to be able to announce the installation of two battery production units in northern France. He was even beaming.
These two new units are in addition to all those that have announced their arrival in Europe. In February 2022, there were already 35 of them. The number has grown since then. Their long-term survival depends on the agreement with one or more electric vehicle manufacturers and on the supply of raw materials. This rush of battery manufacturers into the European market will considerably increase the demand for components and metals. Two questions arise: will there be enough supply to satisfy the purchases of these factories? And secondly, will the price of these batteries be sufficiently reduced for buyers to be tempted by electric vehicles?
A look at the announcement of two new battery production units in France
1st important point VDMA provides a relevant perspective on the PV industry
Some aspects of the PV industry by VDMA
Secondary point 2 There are two phases in the technological advancement of photovoltaics in particular: A research phase that can last several years. Once progress has been made, such as a 22% - 23% conversion rate by 2022-2023, developers take over to move from a few square centimetres to a 2m² panel or more. Meanwhile, new research avenues are being explored to determine the solution(s) to be pursued
The effectiveness of PV research: moving towards implementation of successes
3rd point (subsidiary) Batteries for electric vehicles are subject to the availability of raw materials. The price of raw materials will determine the production cost of the battery and therefore the success or failure of electric vehicles.
Lithium salt has been falling for several months and is starting to recover
Other interesting points :
Is there a match between energy production and demand in industry?
The choice to replace Russian gas: a bad decision?
L R AS Published on Tuesday 16 May 2023 - n° 445 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the announcement of two new battery production units in France
Mr Macron was particularly pleased to be able to announce the installation of two battery production units in the North of France. He was even beaming.
These two new units are in addition to all those that have announced their arrival in Europe. In February 2022, there were already 35 of them. The number has grown since then. Their long-term survival depends on the agreement with one or more electric vehicle manufacturers and on the supply of raw materials. This rush of battery manufacturers into the European market will considerably increase the demand for components and metals. Two questions therefore arise: will there be enough supply to satisfy the purchases of these factories? And secondly, will the price of these batteries be sufficiently reduced for buyers to be tempted by electric vehicles?
L R AS Published on Wednesday 10 May 2023 - n° 444 - Categories:News of the Month
What to remember this week on 7 May 2023
The point in evidence A worldwide comparison of the cost of financing power plants
The secret of financing and profitability of solar and wind power plants is largely well kept, at least in France. It is therefore an event to have an international study that gives figures, even if they date back to 2020. Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine and the rise in energy prices have subsequently diminished the interest of the IRENA study.
It appears that the financing rate of power plants is quite different from one country to another, and depends on the technology.
Is this a cause or a consequence? The financing rate appears to be lower in countries where many plants have been installed. It seems that the lower the rate, the easier the financing! A rate of 1%, 5% or 10% for the construction of a plant creates a different situation.
L R AS Published on Tuesday 9 May 2023 - n° 444 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the financing of power plants
The secret of the financing and profitability of solar and wind power plants is largely well kept, at least in France. It is therefore an event to have an international study that gives figures, even if they date from 2020. Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine and the rise in energy prices have subsequently diminished the interest of the IRENA study.
It appears that the rate of financing of power plants is very different from one country to another, and depending on the technology.
Is this a cause or a consequence? The financing rate appears to be lower in countries where many plants have been installed. It seems that the lower the rate, the easier it was to finance! A rate of 1%, 5% or 10% for the construction of a plant creates a different situation.
L R AS Published on Monday 1 May 2023 - n° 443 - Categories:PV Watch, Germany
A look at photovoltaics in Germany
There is a convergence between the decisions of the German government, which wants to turn the page on gas, coal and nuclear power in favour of renewable energies, and a population that has suffered from high electricity prices and wants to reduce the burden of its energy bill.
This convergence has led to a large number of decisions to reduce the cost of photovoltaics on the one hand, and a public opinion that supports the national objective on the other, not just out of patriotism, but out of a personal interest in reducing the energy bill. The result was a series of political decisions along these lines, a research and development policy exemplified by Fraunhofer, and strong domestic demand combining panels and storage, the use of heat pumps and so on.
This combination, which will reduce the cost of energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions, will give Germany a central role in the European Union by boosting the photovoltaic industry. Germany's weight will do the rest, as a driving force in the European economy. The result will be the emergence of a central political player in the Union.
L R AS Published on Monday 1 May 2023 - n° 443 - Categories:News of the Month
What to remember this week on 30 April 2023
The point in evidence Germany is creating the conditions for renewed economic dynamism
There is a convergence between the decisions of the German government, which wants to turn the page on gas, coal and nuclear power in favour of renewable energies, and a population that has suffered from high electricity prices and wants to reduce the burden of its energy bill.
This convergence leads to a large number of decisions to reduce the cost of photovoltaics on the one hand, and a public opinion that supports the national objective on the other hand, not only out of patriotism, but out of self-interest to reduce the energy bill. This has led to a series of political decisions in this direction, a research and development policy exemplified by Fraunhofer, and a strong domestic demand that combines panels and storage, the use of heat pumps, etc.
This combination, which will reduce the cost of energy and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, will provide Germany with a central position in the European Union through the revival of the photovoltaic industry. Germany's weight will do the rest, as a driving force in the European economy. The result will be the emergence of the central political player in the Union.
A look at photovoltaics in Germany
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1st important point The first important point is that there are very few PPAs in Europe in thefirst quarter. Is this related to the time lag between the signature date and the commissioning date of the power plants?
PPA contracts in Europe in Q1 according to Pexapark
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2nd secondary point A professional indicates, with figures to back it up, the advantages of replacing a gas boiler with a heat pump.
Case study of a heat pump heating system for a house in Germany
3rd point (subsidiary) 3rd point (subsidiary): This is the fourth or fifth American presentation of panel installation equipment in large plants. This succession indicates the preoccupation of professionals who want to reduce the number of personnel and increase the rate of installation. This mechanisation movement will come to France.
Another system of mechanisation
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Other interesting points :
Has enough been done to study agrivoltaics or should we also look at other kinds of installations?
After fixed panels for agri-voltaics, will concentrated panels soon be available?
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Two companies want to install green hydrogen production and ask an expert to analyse it!
In the United States, green hydrogen projects could be profitable
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Viessmann sells its heat pump business
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Enercoop follows the path of any distributor: it starts by finding customers and then seeks to control its supplies:
Enercoop is developing a renewable energy production activity
L R AS Published on Tuesday 25 April 2023 - n° 442 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, to 23 April 2023
Highlight Germany to present its industrial recovery plan for Europe
Every week, new announcements are made about the creation of renewable energy plants in the United States. All the world's industrialists want to share in the cake that is being presented as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The industrial, but above all economic and social, spin-offs will be considerable. The prospects for renewal, dynamism and potential are staggering.
On the other hand, the European Commission has failed to draw up its industrial recovery plan: too little, badly put together, of no interest. As a result, it has taken refuge in managing details and setting up a paralysing administration.
Germany has launched a feasibility study on rebuilding its photovoltaic industry (in particular), which will be presented and discussed at Intersolar in June. So is this the industrial plan that Europe is waiting for?
A look at the photovoltaic awakening in the US, will it be followed by a European awakening?
AS Published on Monday 24 April 2023 - n° 442 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the American photovoltaic awakening - will it be followed by a European one?
Every week, new announcements are made about the creation of renewable energy plants in the United States. All the world's manufacturers want to share in the cake that is being presented as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The industrial, but above all economic and social, spin-offs will be considerable. The prospects for renewal, dynamism and potential are staggering.
On the other hand, the European Commission has failed to draw up its industrial recovery plan: too little, badly put together, of no interest. As a result, it has taken refuge in managing details and setting up a paralysing administration.
Germany has launched a feasibility study on rebuilding its photovoltaic industry (in particular), which will be presented and discussed at Intersolar in June. So is this the industrial plan that Europe is waiting for?
L R AS Published on Monday 17 April 2023 - n° 441 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights as at 16 April 2023
Highlight :
For the past two years, the photovoltaic industry has been dominated by a shortage of silicon, and therefore by rising prices. It was only at the end of 2022 that prices began to fall as new production units came on stream. We can expect silicon and the other components of the industry to become more standardised as competitors emerge in the United States and India.
AS Published on Monday 17 April 2023 - n° 441 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the silicon economy
For the past two years, the photovoltaic industry has been dominated by a shortage of silicon, and consequently by rising prices. It was only at the end of 2022 that prices began to fall as new production units came on stream. We can expect silicon and the other components of the industry to become more standardised, with the emergence of competitors in the United States and India.
A detailed presentation of the silicon market has been given. We present it to our readers.
L R AS Published on Wednesday 12 April 2023 - n° 440 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, to 9 April 2023
Highlight :
The war in Ukraine and dependence on Russian gas have prompted the European Commission to impose a renewable energy development plan. The coincidence of this war with the end of covid confinement has disrupted the comparison of 2021 and 2022 installations. However, it is on the basis of this comparison that the European targets for renewable energy installations in 2025 and, above all, 2030 have been set. Are they reliable?
Above all, apart from the Commission and the European Parliament, who is prepared to commit to achieving these targets?
AS Published on Wednesday 12 April 2023 - n° 440 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the aspirations of Europe's PV population
The war in Ukraine and dependence on Russian gas have prompted the European Commission to impose a renewable energy development plan. The fact that the war coincided with the end of covid confinement disrupted the comparison of 2021 and 2022 installations. However, it is on the basis of this comparison that the European targets for renewable energy installations in 2025 and, above all, 2030 have been set. Are they reliable?
Above all, apart from the Commission and the European Parliament, who is prepared to commit to achieving these targets?
L R AS Published on Monday 3 April 2023 - n° 439 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights, as of 2 April 2023
Highlight :
All economic, social or health crises are periods of rupture. Covid is a good example, but the new world that emerges from the crisis is not always noticeable at the time. Instead, it appears some time later. Whether or not covid was a consequence of the crisis, the photovoltaic world was shaken by production difficulties, by delays in delivery, by the Chinese game to increase prices and profit margins.
AS Published on Monday 3 April 2023 - n° 439 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the rupture created by Covid
All economic, social or health crises are periods of rupture. Covid is a good example, but the new world that emerges from the crisis is not always perceptible at the time. Instead, it appears some time later. Whether or not covid was a consequence, the photovoltaic world was shaken by production difficulties, by delivery delays, by the Chinese game of raising prices and profit margins.
Two years later, we can already see the broad outlines of the transformation underway. We are at the beginning of the process, but the new world is already perceptible.