GoodWe has started this year with a right footing. The company has been selected as a winner in the category of best inverter by the PV Magazine for the innovation and design of its newly developed A-ES storage inverter.

The A-ES storage inverter series is GoodWe’s innovative adaptation of the internationally successful ES energy storage solution inverter. This inverter is a solution for situations of grid failure and its comprehensive functionality was conceived for boosting self-consumption. It is available on a power range of 5 and 10kW with as many as 4 MPPTs, and with its UPS function has the capacity to provide all the power that home-owners may need in situations of emergency. It features 50% of oversizing capability and also boasts a Zero Export function.

The Best Inverter Award given to GoodWe by the PV Magazine is a recognition for the collective efforts of the company. However, in all fairness, this award is mostly a recognition to the R & D capabilities of GoodWe, which are behind its ability to keep launching new products and the flexibility to learn and adapt quickly to the diversified conditions of different markets in the world. GoodWe boasts one of the most comprehensive portfolios of PV solar inverters in the world and at present their products cover practically all the market segments.

It is precisely because GoodWe is advantaged with an R & D team of approximately 200 solar researchers, that the company has reached a position of leadership in the complex and expanding energy storage market segment. This team is GoodWe’s secret weapon not only for securing patents and awards but for expanding a large network of customers all over the world, that are loyal to their energy storage inverters for their great quality, design and superb functionality. 

The year is starting in an upbeat way for the global solar industry. In its latest forecast, IHS anticipates that in 2020 more than 140GW of new solar energy will be installed across the world. Sadly, the year has also started with a myriad of evidence that the climate crisis is reaching dangerous proportions.

Expressing a note of thanks to PV Magazine for conferring the recognition, the press note from GoodWe emphasised, “At this very moment in which the forests of Australia burn, we remind ourselves and our peers of the purpose of our original mission to develop better solar technologies to make our world more sustainable.”

Riding on its expertise and track record of keeping up high project execution standards, Hartek Solar goes all out to tap rooftop solar potential of the newly merged UTs of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu

Extending its Pan-India footprint, Hartek Solar, the rooftop solar division of the Hartek Group with operations in more than 10 states, has marked its presence in the newly merged union territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu by bagging around 40 rooftop solar projects to the tune of 1 MW in the industrial category in Daman.

Grabbing the opportunities presented by the solar policy of the recently merged UTs, that makes it mandatory for industrial units to install rooftop solar plants, Hartek Solar, which develops and provides complete rooftop solutions, right from installation of solar panels and inverters to supply, design, engineering and commissioning, has bagged these substantial orders by riding on its expertise in the rooftop solar domain and track record of keeping up high project execution standards.

Evenly spread across Daman, these projects are scheduled to be commissioned by the end of the current financial year.

Commenting on the achievement, Hartek Solar Director and CEO Simarpreet Singh said, “The potential of rooftop solar in the newly merged union territories is immense, particularly in the industrial category, and we are going all out to tap it. While Daman & Diu has close to 3,000 small-scale and medium-scale industries, Dadra & Nagar Haveli is home to more than 2,000 small-scale units, 500 medium-scale units and 28 large-scale enterprises. With favourable policy decisions like demand aggregation initiatives making considerable impact, the industry is well poised to drive the demand for rooftop solar here in coming months.”

So as to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had embarked on a big campaign for rooftop solar market aggregation last year. “Focused on reaching out to consumers, creating visibility for policies and vendor base for rooftop solar PV plants, these demand aggregation initiatives, which are being implemented in coordination with state nodal agencies, electricity distribution companies and developers, have made a big difference in making industrial consumers realise how rooftop solar can substantially reduce their electricity bills,” said Simarpreet.

He said that with the industrial and commercial categories accounting for 70 per cent of India’s total installed rooftop capacity, Hartek Solar has set a target of executing 10-MW rooftop projects in the industrial domain by the end of this year. Hartek Solar has emerged as one of India’s leading rooftop solar installers with an installed capacity of more than 25 MW across the industrial, commercial and residential categories in just three years of its inception.

Technique Solaire successfully commissioned its second solar project in India, in the state of Maharashtra, built on the territory of the villages of Ratnapur and Manwath in Parbhani district. This ground solar photovoltaic plant, with a total output of 27 MWp is spread over 40 hectares. It is the winner of a state tender won by our local subsidiary (JLTM Energy) in May 2018. It produces green electricity equivalent to the local electricity consumption of 65,000 inhabitants.

Technique Solaire successfully commissioned its second solar project in India, in the state of Maharashtra, built on the territory of the villages of Ratnapur and Manwath in Parbhani district. This arid region of India has limited agricultural activity and the company had the opportunity to acquire the land where the project is located and to contribute to local economic development and employment.

This photovoltaic installation consists of 81,840 modules of 330 Wp and produces the local electricity consumption equivalent of 65,000 inhabitants. It is the largest photovoltaic power plant developed by the Technique Solaire Group till date. With this installation, the company now offers the lowest solar electricity tariff in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

This ground solar photovoltaic plant, with a total output of 27 MWp is spread over 40 hectares, is the winner of a state tender won by the company’s local subsidiary (JLTM Energy) in May 2018. It represents approx. €12mn investment, with senior debt financed by the State Bank of India, the largest public Indian bank. The first ground solar power plant built by Technique Solaire in India, with an output of 5.5 MWp, was commissioned in March 2017 in the state of Uttarakhand.

” We are very enthusiastic and involved in our development in India, a country-continent with huge energy and environmental challenges. This second project is 5 times more powerful than the first one. It is also the largest photovoltaic power plant developed and built by Technique Solaire Group to date,” explains Julien Fleury, co- founder and Managing Director in-charge of Operations at Technique Solaire.

This new facility demonstrates the ability of Technique Solaire, the only French SME in the sector to operate in India, and its team to successfully implement large scale solar projects, from the development to the operational phase, in a complex and highly competitive international environment.

With the Indian government’s target of 100 GW by 2022, and in partnership with France, of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Indian government has made the development of solar energy a priority.

“Despite a highly competitive environment, Technique Solaire intends to continue to perform well, and to occupy a growing and sustainable position in this market. Our objective is to develop 200 to 300 MWp in India over the next 3 years,” says Manu Bishnoi, Director of Technique Solaire India.

Total has entered into agreements for the development of the Al Kharsaah Solar PV IPP Project, a 800 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar plant that will be located 80 kilometers west of Doha, Qatar. The project was awarded to a consortium of Total (49%) and Marubeni (51%) as the result of the country’s first solar tender. Qatar’s first large-scale solar power plant, Al Kharsaah will provide sustainable, affordable and clean energy to industries, services and individuals through the Qatari grid starting from 2021 with an initial 350 MWp capacity before reaching its full capacity in 2022.

Total has entered into agreements for the development of the Al Kharsaah Solar PV IPP Project, a 800 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar plant that will be located 80 kilometers west of Doha, Qatar. The project was awarded to a consortium of Total (49%) and Marubeni (51%) as the result of the country’s first solar tender.

“We are proud to pioneer the development of the first large-scale solar power plant in Qatar and support the country’s assertive commitment to developing renewable energy. Together with our partners, we will bring the best of our expertise and technical know-how to deliver one of the most competitive projects in the world”, said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of Total. “Al Kharsaah, Total’s largest solar project to date, will contribute to our ambition to deploy 25 GW of renewables by 2025. This project further strengthens our long-term partnership with Qatar in oil, natural gas, refining and petrochemicals and expands it to include renewable energy. It is a very clear symbol of the strategy of Total to become a global energy company.”

Qatar’s first large-scale solar power plant, Al Kharsaah will provide sustainable, affordable and clean energy to industries, services and individuals through the Qatari grid starting from 2021 with an initial 350 MWp capacity before reaching its full capacity in 2022. It will represent around 10% of electricity peak demand of the country and will reduce the CO2 emissions of Qatar by 26 million tons during the life of the project. The solar plant will be built on over 1000 hectares of land and equipped with 2 million bifacial solar modules with trackers, allowing substantial power gains and leveraging the advantage of the exceptional sunlight exposure in the region. It will represent an investment of around 500 million US dollars.

The project will be developed and operated by Siraj 1 SPV, jointly owned by the Consortium of Total Solar International and Marubeni (40%), alongside Siraj Energy (60%), a Joint Venture between Qatar Petroleum (40%) and QEWC (Qatar Electricity & Water Company, 60%).The project benefits from a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply electricity to the offtaker Kahramaa.

Total and Low-Carbon Electricity

Total integrates climate change into its strategy and is staying ahead of new energy market trends by building a portfolio of low-carbon businesses that could account for 15% to 20% of its sales by 2040. Total’s gross low-carbon power generation capacity worldwide is currently close to 7 GW, of which over 3 GW is from renewable energies.

Total actively contributes to the growth of solar energy worldwide by designing and operating utility-scale power plants and supplying industrial and commercial customers with solar energy generated at their sites.

Grupo T-Solar, a leading Spanish independent renewable power producer, asset manager and a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, has completed one of the largest financings of the renewable energy market worth €567.8 million, including a €34 million senior secured class A1 bonds, €234.1 million senior secured class A2 bonds both due June 2038 and a 10-year €299.7 million bank loan. The proceeds will be used to refinance 23 photovoltaic solar projects with a combined installed capacity of 127 megawatts across Spain owned by T-Solar Global Operating Assets, an affiliate of Grupo T-Solar.

Grupo T-Solar, a leading Spanish independent renewable power producer, asset manager and a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, has completed one of the largest financings of the renewable energy market worth €567.8 million, including a €34 million senior secured class A1 bonds, €234.1 million senior secured class A2 bonds both due June 2038 and a 10-year €299.7 million bank loan.

The proceeds will be used to refinance 23 photovoltaic solar projects with a combined installed capacity of 127 megawatts across Spain owned by T-Solar Global Operating Assets, an affiliate of Grupo T-Solar. The assets operate under the Spanish regulatory framework with a regulated return granted for 30 years.

This is Grupo T-Solar’s first financing to obtain a Green Evaluation by Standard and Poor’s, achieving a very strong E1/80 score—the highest granted by the agency—due to the transaction’s robust environmental impact mitigation, governance and transparency.

Grupo T-Solar’s Chief Executive Officer, Marta Martinez, commented on the market response: “We have seen very strong interest in our first green financing among leading banks and institutional investors. This transaction enables investors that share our vision of a more sustainable future to partner with T-Solar in reducing carbon emissions for future generations.”

Deutsche Bank and Banco Santander acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Global Coordinators of the issuance.

Grupo T-Solar is a leading independent renewable power producer and asset manager that owns 336 megawatts of installed capacity and operates 51 renewable power plants in Spain, Italy, Peru and India that generated over 602 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity in 2019 and avoided over 216,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

The company has a strong track record in the development and construction of solar farms. Following acquisition by global infrastructure investment manager I Squared Capital in 2017, Grupo T-Solar is focusing on the European market with 92 percent of its assets in Spain and Italy. Including recent divestments in Japan and the U.S., the company has managed over €1.9 billion in environmentally friendly and regulated assets.

JinkoSolar also received the honour of being the 1st solar company to become a member of RE100. It has been B20 Co-Chair member for five consecutive years.

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. has retained its prestigious title of World’s No.1 Solar Module Company for 4th Consecutive year in terms of shipment.

This declaration came on background of its key milestones achieved in 2019. Since its inception, it has delivered 55 GW till end of 2019, to more than 3500 customers in 140 countries. Its innovation driven approach helped it to break efficiency records for six times. Cheetah, 2018 Launch Mono PERC Module with 158.75 mm cell bagged > 10 GW orders within 19 months. Cheetah proved to be one of the most popular models. It has hit the “sweet spot” between efficiency and affordability by maintaining a significant edge in terms of cost per watt.

Its innovative Bifacial Solution – Swan with transparent backsheet has already garnered projects of 1.7 GW in short span of 6 months. Tiger is the new ultra-high efficiency gem from its basket of module offerings. 20.78% Efficiency Tiger is ready to serve JinkoSolar’s esteemed clients with manufacturing capacity of 10 GW. One of the reasons for this continuous mill of high efficiency modules is heavy investment in R&D, including USD 50 million overseas R&D center.

On this proud occasion, Dany Qian, Vice President – Branding said, “JinkoSolar is 1st Solar Module Company across the Globe, who could achieve so many feats. No other module manufacturer could exhibit such level of capabilities or performance till date. This showcases our commitment to Quality, Reliability, continuous innovation in our product offerings & improvements in our manufacturing Process.”

In addition to the above milestones, 2019 saw commissioning of 1.17 GW Sweihan Abu Dhabi PV Plant, having one of the World’s lowest tariffs, USD 2.42 cents per kWh. JinkoSolar also received the honor of 1st solar company to become a member of RE100. It has been B20 Co-Chair member for five consecutive years. Its manufacturing is also geographically diversified with overseas production capacity of > 2 GW by end of 2019.

RECOM delivers 360Wp mono modules to Savina Power JSC in Vietnam, as part of its growing presence in the market. The RECOM modules, totaling 6MW, will be deployed in three industrial solar projects: Mekong factory, Sa Thay District, Kon Tum Province; Tra Da Factory, Tra Da industrial park, Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province and Triple Factory, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.

RECOM delivered 360Wp mono modules to Savina Power JSC in Vietnam, as part of its growing presence in the market.

Savina Power JSC is a leading developer in Vietnam providing professional servicing for solar projects, including investment consultancy, design work, project execution, maintenance, and solar energy equipment and solutions.

The RECOM modules, totaling 6MW, will be deployed in three industrial solar projects: Mekong factory, Sa Thay District, Kon Tum Province; Tra Da Factory, Tra Da industrial park, Pleiku City, Gia Lai Province and Triple Factory, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.

“We are pleased to contribute to the Asian renewable energy market and hope to become a trusted and reliable supplier for the Vietnamese companies,” says Hamlet Tunyan, CEO of RECOM.

This cooperation marks an important milestone for RECOM in promoting the development of renewable energy in the region. Within South-East Asia, Vietnam is a leader in solar energy with the largest installed capacity of 5.5GW in 2019. The PV capacity for the region is expected to triple in the next 5 years.

PepsiCo, Inc. announced plans to achieve 100% renewable electricity for its U.S. direct operations this year. The U.S. is the food and beverage company’s largest market and accounts for nearly half of its total global electricity consumption. PepsiCo’s European direct operations already meet 100% of their electricity demand from renewable sources. Additionally, in 2018, 76% of the electricity needs of the PepsiCo Mexico Foods business were delivered via wind energy.

Some of America’s favourite snacks and beverages – Lay’s and SunChips to bubbly, Gatorade and Pepsi – will soon be made using electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. PepsiCo, Inc. announced plans to achieve 100% renewable electricity for its U.S. direct operations this year. The U.S. is the Pepsico’s largest market and accounts for nearly half of its total global electricity consumption.

PepsiCo’s efforts in the U.S. build upon its global progress in switching to renewable electricity around the world. For example, nine countries in PepsiCo’s European direct operations already meet 100% of their electricity demand from renewable sources. Additionally, in 2018, 76% of the electricity needs of the PepsiCo Mexico Foods business were delivered via wind energy.  

“We have entered a decade that will be critical for the future of our planet’s health,” said Ramon Laguarta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo. “PepsiCo is pursuing 100% renewable electricity in the U.S. because the severe threat that climate change poses to the world demands faster and bolder action from all of us.”

PepsiCo’s shift to renewable electricity in the U.S. this year is expected to deliver a 20% reduction in company-wide direct operations (Scopes 1 and 2) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to a 2015 baseline. This represents a significant contribution to the company’s goal of reducing absolute GHG emissions across its global value chain by 20% by 2030 against a 2015 baseline.

“As an industry leader, we have a responsibility to help spur the use of renewable energy in the U.S., while encouraging the kind of systemic change that can build a more sustainable food system. This is another step forward in that journey,” said Simon Lowden, Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo.

To achieve 100% renewable electricity, PepsiCo plans to target a diversified portfolio of solutions. These include Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs), which finance the development of new renewable electricity projects such as solar and wind farms, as well as renewable energy certificates (RECs), which are credits certified by independent third parties that support existing green electricity generation from renewable sources. In 2020, PepsiCo’s portfolio will feature more RECs, then will gradually move toward PPAs and VPPAs by 2025.

Alongside these measures, PepsiCo continues to expand its onsite renewable electricity. The company recently installed new solar panels at its global headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., complementing other solar energy installations throughout the country. These include Frito-Lay facilities in Modesto, CA and Casa Grande, AZ, as well as PepsiCo beverage facilities in Fresno, CA and Tolleson, AZ, among others.

Anesco is fast approaching its target of 1GW of UK solar and storage under management. This includes those owned by investment groups, local authorities and housing associations. The 10 sites have a combined operational capacity of 71MW and the total number of assets being looked after by Anesco’s O&M team is in excess of 22,000. Anesco has an existing contract to provide technical and commercial asset management for 18 UK solar farms owned by Foresight Group. The latest contracts will see this portfolio increased to 24.

The 10 sites have a combined operational capacity of 71MW and take the total number of assets being looked after by Anesco’s O&M team to in excess of 22,000. The addition of the sites means Anesco is fast approaching its target of 1GW of UK solar and storage under management. This includes those owned by investment groups, local authorities and housing associations.

Commenting on the news, Julian Elsworth, Senior Portfolio Manager, Foresight Group, said: “We’ve been working with the team at Anesco for many years now and we’re very happy with the O&M services provided.”

“Ensuring our renewable assets are operating at their optimal efficiency is of the utmost importance to us, so it’s crucial we have a team looking after them who react quickly but also help manage those assets in a way that optimises their performance.”

Anesco has an existing contract to provide technical and commercial asset management for 18 UK solar farms owned by Foresight Group. The latest contracts will see this portfolio increased to 24. The four new sites for Alpha Real Renewables take the total capacity being looked after by Anesco for the investment services group to 81MW.

James Schwerdt, Portfolio Manager, Alpha Real Renewables, commented: “Anesco is a very competent counterparty, providing the stability and capability we are looking for, while crucially helping to maximise the availability and performance of our solar plants.”

Steve Shine, Anesco Executive Chairman, commented: “We’re delighted to have expanded our contracts with both Foresight Group and Alpha Real Renewables. Our proactive approach, combined with the results we achieve for our clients, is the reason our portfolio continues to grow, with our constructed projects performing an average 6.1% better in yield per year.”

Matt Harvey, Anesco Head of O&M added: “As a sector, renewables O&M has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Modern O&M best practice is about maximising yield, through a complex process based on extensive data analysis and modelling. In the future, technologies such as AI and data mining will offer even greater opportunities, which is why this is an area we continue to invest heavily in.”

Anesco provides renewable asset O&M services to local authorities, housing associations, investors and commercial customers based across the UK, covering both domestic and commercial renewable energy installations. As one of the UK’s leading renewables developers, the company has a solar farm portfolio that exceeds 100 sites and is the UK market leader for energy storage.

Energy Experts say that in the next 10 years we will likely witness an increase in solar energy, not only due to renewable energy goals, but as a result of generational change that is shifting how the world works. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) announced last year a goal for solar power to reach 20% of all U.S. electricity generation by 2030, naming the 2020s “the Solar+ Decade”.

For the next 10 years, we will likely witness an impressive increase in solar energy, not only due to specific renewable energy goals, but also as a result of generational change that is shifting how the world works.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) announced last year a goal for solar power to reach 20% of all U.S. electricity generation by 2030, naming the 2020s “the Solar+ Decade”. They see radical change and exponential growth in our future, with the U.S. solar industry expecting to double its workforce and offset electricity sector emissions by 35% by the year 2030.

The massive growth that the solar industry saw over the last decade will need to continue in order to accomplish the SEIA’s goal. Reaching 20% of generation from solar is achievable, as long as the industry grows at an average rate of 18%, with about 39 gigawatts (GW) worth of installations per year, over the next decade. This target would result in hundreds of thousands of new U.S. jobs, more than 14 million solar rooftops, and 500 million metric tons of CO2 emissions offset each year.

The economic and environmental benefits make the increase in solar power seem like a no brainer. But not everyone is on board.

Millennial and Gen Z adults have a very different view on the climate crisis than their elder generations. With their continuously growing influence on our world’s policies, this generation’s awareness and actions regarding the climate crisis are meaningful, because they will be the ones to change the system in the coming years.

According to the Pew Research Center, about three-quarters of Americans (77%) agree that the more important energy priority should be developing alternative energy sources such as solar power rather than increasing U.S. production of fossil fuels. While the vast majority of Democrats (90%) agree with this, the percentage of Republicans that agree much lower at 62%, and there’s a large disparity depending on age. The majority of Millennial and Gen Z Republicans (78%) say the U.S. should prioritize alternative energies, compared to just 53% of Baby Boomers and older Republicans.

The data shows how the opinions of younger generations are changing drastically from older generations – exactly the kind of attitude we need to meet our sustainable goals this decade. A big factor in this change may be the growth of social media conversation about the climate crisis. With more young people having access to the harmful effects of climate change worldwide, they are able to make more informed decisions about how they feel about the importance of alternative energy sources.

The effects of the media are not lost on those in the solar installation industry. Jorge Ricalday, Marketing Director of Green Solar Technologies, believes that the exponential growth of the social industry in recent years can be owed somewhat to social media. Jorge comments, “Information in the media spreads so fast these days. With more and more talk about climate change, especially among younger generations sharing their concerns on social media, people are scared and looking for solutions. Alternative energy sources are a reachable solution, which is why more people than ever are switching to solar energy.”

Generation Z teens spend the most time on social media by far, and with their strong opinions about climate change, the word will continue to spread. As they and Millenials grow older and become the majority of the population, the support for relying on renewable energy sources will grow, as will the use of these sources. Solar is one of the easiest for the consumer to switch to and has both environmental and financial benefits, which may be contributing to the recent surge of solar projects around the world.

If solar continues to grow like we’re expecting, the goal for solar power to reach 20% of all U.S. electricity generation by 2030 is all too likely. The Solar+ Decade is not only in reach, but it will hopefully cut emissions enough to slow the effects of climate change.

Huawei showcases its Smart PV Solution for utility-scale and distributed PV plants at World Future Energy Summit (WFES). Its Smart PV Solution for utility-scale and distributed PV plants, follows the principle: “AI BOOST FusionSolar for Optimal LCOE”

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center on January 13-16, 2020. The event represents the largest future energy and sustainability event held in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Huawei showcases its Smart PV Solution for utility-scale and distributed PV plants, following the principle: “AI BOOST FusionSolar for Optimal LCOE”.

Utility-Scale PV plants: Intelligent Upgrades for Optimized LCOE

Huawei’s innovative large-scale ground PV solution utilizes 1500 V smart string inverters, and involves a fusion of trackers and bifacial modules, whose power generating capabilities are maximized by AI self-learning tracking algorithms. The featured model, SUN2000-185KTL-H1 (SUN2000-185KTL), adopts the proprietary HiSilicon smart chip and smart transformer stations (STS), to provide customers with a one-stop solution.

The Sakaka 300 MW project received the world’s lowest tariff bid in 2018. The first large-scale ground PV plant in Saudi Arabia is bolstered by Huawei’s 1500 V smart PV solution, and was first connected to the utility grid in November 2019. The PV plant has demonstrated consistently superb performance since then, with a maximum performance ratio of 92%. The multi-MPPT design incorporated into the SUN2000 series inverters minimizes the PV string mismatch, for skyrocketing energy yields.

The Huawei SUN2000-185KTL garnered recognition at the WFES, winning the pv magazine Award 2019. The unique combination of AI and PV technologies lowers LCOE for PV plants, while dramatically upgrading the customer experience, serving as a stepping-stone to success in the grid parity era. Mr. Eckhart K. Gouras, publisher of pv magazine, said, “Multiple MPPT string inverters can best deal with the vagaries of albedo and this capability promises to be another driver for increased string adoption.”

Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis: Redefining O&M, with Intelligent Safety

Huawei Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis represents the first and only TÜV-certified advanced technology to be applied on a broad, commercial scale, with more than 5 GW of installations. Smart I-V Curve Diagnosis 3.0, a 2019 upgrade, is capable of performing remote scanning for a 100 MW PV plant in a mere 15 minutes, and automatically generating reports based on its findings. The AI self-learning component accumulates I-V curve diagnosis experience and optimizes fault models, free of the need for on-site inspection, ushering PV O&M into the intelligent era.

Distributed PV: Safer Plants, and an Improved Experience Across-the-Board

In distributed scenarios, Huawei provides the three-phase inverters SUN2000-20KTL-M0 and the super SUN2000-100KTL-M1.

The SUN2000-20KTL-M0 features AI-powered AFCI technology that pinpoints all arc faults, and disconnects the circuit within 2 seconds. In addition, AI self-learning is utilized to safeguard against fire risks, for optimally-safe distributed PV plants.

The high-awaited SUN2000-100KTL-M1 is set to be launched in MEA in late 2020. The presence of an intelligent multi-peak tracking algorithm effectively reduces string mismatch, and ensures effective power generation at industry-leading European efficiency of 98.4%. The fuse-free design provides for a high degree of reliability. The fully-enclosed IP66 enclosure is more than up for the challenging desert conditions that are characteristic of many MEA markets.

The largest distributed rooftop project in the UAE is also based on Huawei’s distributed solution. Since connecting to the grid in July 2017, the 25.8 MW plant has run stably in a high-temperature and dusty climate with a failure rate of zero, providing clean, reliable power for Dubai DP World. Huawei will continue to work with like-minded partners and customers in the new energy industry, to incorporate such new advanced ICT technologies as cloud computing, AI, into the PV sector, and facilitate the digitalization of PV plants.

Vietnam’s MOIT to Hold The First Two Pilot Auctions Dedicated to Floating PV Projects

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping the Vietnamese government introduce an auction scheme for solar project development which was announced in early December. The lender, which supports floating PV development has issued a tender to seek consultants to help Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) hold the first two pilot auctions, which will be devoted to floating PV. The first auction planned for this year is intended for selecting a company for floating PV array with a generation capacity of 50-100 MW. The second auction has been scheduled for 2021 for 300 MW floating solar facility likely to be deployed at the Hàm Thuận Hydroelectric Power Complex, a cascade of two hydro power stations in the Hàm Thuận Bắc district of central Vietnam.

Vietnam Government Introduces Auction System for Integration of Solar Power into National Electricity Structure

Vietnam’s demand for electricity has been the second-largest in Southeast Asia since 2015, and is expected to remain the same in 2020. However, only 0.5 percent of excess capacity in the electric system is currently available to meet the enormous future demand. To tackle the imminent power shortage, the government has introduced an auction system to promote the integration of solar power into the national electricity structure. The government has planned for two types of auction i.e. auction among developers to sell electricity to a local distributor and auction among investors to start their projects on acquired land.

India’s Plans to Set Up A Global Electricity Grid to Link Countries in Southeast Asia

India’s plans to set up a global electricity grid that may initially aim to link countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with the sub-continent as part of the developing energy security architecture. The underlying plans include setting up of an under-sea link to connect with Oman in the West. However, the plan hasn’t picked up traction in the backdrop of India-headquartered International Solar Alliance’s (ISA’s) drive to co-opt nations from Southeast Asia facing issues with certain nations holding back because of New Delhi’s decision to not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal.

Alectris Inks MoU with Artelia Vietnam to deliver O&M Services to Solar Assets in Vietnam

Alectris signs a MoU with Artelia Vietnam,a multi-disciplinary consultancy, to jointly deliver operation and maintenance services (O&M) to solar assets throughout Vietnam. The O&M services include technical and engineering support, plant monitoring and maintenance, preventative and corrective maintenance and the use of continuous improvement methodology. These services will be supported by the renewable energy ERP software of Alectris, ACTIS, to achieve maximum solar performance by optimizing operations, consolidating reporting and reducing costs.

Vietnam’s New Draft Decision On Solar Power

On 31 December 2019, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam issued Proposal to the Prime Minister to submit a new draft Decision on the mechanism for developing solar power projects in Vietnam. The proposal lists potentially eligible solar farm projects for new FiT while leaving alternative tariff mechanisms unresolved and pending for the other projects currently under development. Moreover, for rooftop solar power systems, the New Draft tightens the deadline for eligibility for the proposed new FiT of 8.38 US cent per kWh from 31 December 2021 to 31 December 2020.

SE Asian Nations Reluctant On Joining the India-based solar alliance

The India-headquartered International Solar Alliance’s (ISA’s) drive to co-opt nations from Southeast Asia is facing issues with certain nations holding reluctance, in light of New Delhi’s decision to not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal, said two individuals aware of the development. Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, and Laos are yet to turn into a signatory of the ISA, the first treaty-based international government association headquartered in India. Almost 84 nations have signed the framework ISA arrangement. Of these 63 have sanctioned it. RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) —Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—and its six FTA partners. India chose not to join RCEP, with the government being under intense pressure from domestic industry, farmers and political parties over apprehensions that joining would lead to dumping of Chinese goods that could wipe out small scale industries.