Solar ... In the news

Construction Begins On Europe’s Largest Floating Solar Plant

Construction has begun on what will end up being Europe’s largest floating solar plant, atop Godley Reservoir in the UK.

The project developer, and the UK’s largest listed water company, announced this week that the installation of Europe’s biggest floating solar power system had begun construction, on the Godley Reservoir in the town of Hyde in Greater Manchester, UK. The entire project will consist of 12,000 solar panels, covering an area of 45,5000 square meters of the reservoir’s total 60,000 square meters. Once completed, the project will provide the utility with 2.7 GWh of electricity per year, for use directly onsite.

Mart.

Possible first step towards ending the restrictions on Chinese panel prices in the UK. This could lead to a small reduction in panel prices, which would be good timing.

EC rejects calls to replace MIP pricing benchmark

The ruling will come as a boost to parties seeking to have all trade measures on Chinese imports into Europe thrown out when the commission decides whether or not to review their scheduled expiry at the end of this year. The commission has until December to decide whether or not it will instigate a review, which would mean current measures remain in force for up to 15 months.

James Watson, chief executive of trade body SolarPower Europe, said: "The decision by the European Commission is a step in the right direction. We hope this sensible approach will also apply to the duties and price undertaking due to expire in December 2015."

Mart.

Or does it?

British public vastly overestimate solar support levels, poll finds


Given the 'confusion' it's surprising (almost encouraging) that the public still has so much support for PV and wind.

Mart.

opponents of solar

I can't think who you mean... Do they talk about 'subsidies', ignoring their existance all over the place, do they go on about 'solar hatted houses', are they repetitive and appear on every solar thread, do they pretend to be concerned about the 'poor'? It's the last one that annoys me the most as I can't help thinking such people don't give even a crocodile tear for the poor or have any concern about the many other policies of this government which are hitting at the disadvantaged.

As a policy the implementation of FITs has largely achieved its aim, and if the government thought that the impact on the poor was so large (and it isn't) they could have done something about it.

silverwhistle wrote: »

they pretend to be concerned about the 'poor'? It's the last one that annoys me the most as I can't help thinking such people don't give even a crocodile tear for the poor or have any concern about the many other policies of this government which are hitting at the disadvantaged.

I feel exactly the same. It's the out of context trickery that's used:-

Out of context - Everyone pays the FiT subsidy, only some receive it.

In context - all energy is subsidised by everyone (either directly on bills, or indirectly through taxation), the FiT is the only one that returns the subsidy to consumers (demand side generators).

I've suggested in the past that the argument that the poor pay, without the opportunity to benefit, is false. But it's very hard to find a definition of 'the poor'. If it's people living in social housing, then the percentage of installs on social housing, appears to be in-line with the percentage of social housing:-

Thousands of social tenants will lose out if solar subsidies cuts go ahead

There are more than 4m social homes in England and Wales. It is estimated that 30-40,000 had solar panels fitted last year in the UK, accounting for one-fifth to one-quarter of all installations, according to the Solar Trade Association (STA).

Mart.