Thailand preparing to make it easier for households to install solar rooftops

Earlier this month, pv-magazine reported that the Thai government is preparing an easier permitting regime for the residential solar installation requirement.

What this could mean is that it will be easier for households to install solar rooftops in future.


Thailand staying ahead in RE competitiveness. Image by Doug Beckers


Easing of residential solar requirements

Bangkok-based English language newspaper The Nation has reported the Thai government is considering relaxing the rules relating to household solar systems.

Under the current Thai regime, domestic installations require an industrial licence, but The Nation reported the government's Industrial Works Department is considering removing the requirement for household systems generating up to 20 kW.

Quoting Industrial Works Department director-general Nattapon Nattasomboon, the report states all the relevant government departments back the idea, which could be ready to put before cabinet for approval.

Under the proposed change, residential system installers would still be required to notify their local industry agencies.

Market research consultancy IHS has predicted Thailand will lead the charge of emerging solar markets – which it predicts will account for 19% of new solar by 2017 – with its popular adder FIT scheme set to drive 2.9 GW of installations in the next four years.


TheGreenMechanics: Great move by our northern neighbour! Thailand seems to be always ahead of us in the renewable energy industry, but let's take this as a challenge. A challenge and task that is not beyond our reach, really.


News source

Japan's largest solar PV plant goes online in Kagoshima

Although Japan has now passed the 10 GW in cumulative solar PV installation, more than half of the installed capacity  is on residential rooftops.

The largest single solar farm in Japan is currently the one in the southern city of Kagoshima. It has just been brought online this week according to pv-magazine.


Kagoshima Mega-solar power plant. Photo by SMA


Japan’s largest PV power plant  in Kagoshima

The 70 MW PV plant is run and owned by local utility provider, the Kagoshima Mega Solar Power Corporation, and relies on system technology provided by Germany’s SMA.

SMA has provided 140 Sunny Central 500CP-JP central inverters, and 1,260 Sunny String-Monitors for the plant, which is now the largest single solar farm in Japan.

SMA has established a keen presence in Japan in recent years, setting up a sales and service company in Tokyo and having its Sunny Boy inverters certified by the Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) for use in rooftop arrays for the Japanese market.

Even though JET certification is not required for central inverters used on industrial-scale solar projects, SMA felt compelled to ensure that its Sunny Boy technology would be able to withstand the multitude of adverse weather conditions that panels in southern Japan can sometimes be subjected to – conditions including typhoons, high humidity and salty air.

Source: pv-magazine

TheGreenMechanics: With rapid growth of solar PV industry there, Japan is thought to be the new Germany in renewable energy sector, particularly solar.

It will come as no surprise if Japan can quickly fill the gap left behind by the subsequent shutting down of nuclear power plants in response to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

Solar Power: India passed 2 GW mark

India did it again! Just last year, the world's second most populous country announced that it has passed the 1 GW mark in solar PV installation.

At the end of September this year, India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy says grid-connected solar in the country has passed the 2 GW point.


Grid-connected PV projects, like this Gujarat solar park, have passed the 2 GW mark in India.


Renewable Energy on the rise in India 

The Indian government has announced the nation has passed the 2 GW mark for cumulative installation of grid-connected solar power.

In a statement on its website, the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said that at the end of September, 395 MW of grid-connected PV had been installed in the 2013-14 financial year, as part of a 1.1 GW target.

With the government recently publishing the guidelines for the 750 MW phase II, batch I of its Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the installation figures are impressive but remain dwarfed by wind power generation in the country.

A further 808 MW of wind power has been installed in the current financial year to take the cumulative figure to 19.8 GW with a 2.5 GW wind power target this year alone.

Small hydro, with a cumultaive 3.7 GW, and bagasse – or sugarcane pulp – with 2.4 GW, also lead solar. Biomass (with a cumulative 1.3 GW installed) and energy-from-waste (99 MW) complete the list of grid-connected renewable energy sources listed by the ministry.

Solar amounts to 139 MW of off-grid renewables generation, behind non bagasse biomass (491 MW) and biomass gasifiers (163 MW).

Those figures mean solar is the third most important renewable enrgy source for off-grid energy, ahead of energy-from-waste (116 MW), water mills (11 MW) and aero generators/hybrid systems (2 MW).


TheGreenMechanics: Impressive! While not intending to measure ourself up with big and power hungry country like India, we should take cue from their initiatives, particularly with the resources and the favourable climate here - we should have more solar PV system installed in Malaysia.

Note that we have many internationally known solar panel manufacturers in Malaysia.


Source: PV Magazine

Useful information from the recent SEDA Malaysia Open Day

The SEDA Open Day was organised on October 20, 2013 in Kuala Lumpur and although I am not one of the participants, it appeared to be a great session for licence holders and enthusiasts alike.

I posted an article about the Open Day a couple of weeks ago and felt obliged to post this one here in appreciation to a comment by one of our readers. The reader provided very good tips and information. Among others, they are:

a) What happen after the 21-year agreement between FiAH and TNB?

After the expiry of the 21-year  Renewable Energy Power Purchasing Agreement (REPPA) between FiAH and TNB, a Net-Metering scheme would probably be used. In Net-metering, energy generated from the solar panel can be used by the home owner and any excess electricity not used will be exported to TNB's grid and the amount will be deducted from the owner's energy consumption bill.

b) Issue pertaining to additional bonus rate in the FiT

Additional bonus rate for solar panels used as a building material will be subject to verification by SEDA inspector. Bonus rate can only be given if SEDA is satisfied with the installation.

c) What happen if my solar PV system is not performing, i.e. it is not feeding into TNB's grid?

Although REPPA states that FiAH would feed all electricity generated from the solar PV system, there will be no penalty from TNB in case of non performance. This is applicable only to residential installations, and not non-individual installations.

d) Can I increase the capacity of my solar PV installation?

Existing FiAHs can submit application to SEDA to increase the capacity of their solar systems. Approval by the authority is subject to availability of quota at the time the application is submitted.

e) I saw that there is a projected degression rate in the SEDA website. Will there be changes to the published rates?

Degression rate may change as SEDA sees fit. For 2014 degression rate, SEDA has submitted its proposal to the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KETTHA) for approval. A revised rate would be published at its website.

f) Is the income from solar PV installation at home subject to taxation?

Income from solar PV installation at homes are subject to income tax. SEDA informed that the Treasury has rejected its proposal to exempt domestic installations from income tax.

g) There seem to be delays in payment to FiAHs from TNB?

TNB's Dr Ahmad Jaafar assured that TNB will pay licence holders (FiAHs) within 30 days of verified invoice as contained in the REPPA. FiAHs can check TNB e-Services website after mid Nov 2013 to view their Renewable Energy Payment Advice.


Note: SEDA informed that there will be no more quota release for 2013. As such, home owners interested to install grid connected solar PV system at their homes will have to wait for 2014 quota.

Credit to the our commenter, Unknown, for this information.


Abbreviations:
REPPA - Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement
FiAH - Feed-in Approval Holder

Mega solar plant in India to sell power at record-low rate: $0.089 per kWh

This is interesting as India is showing the world that solar PV power can be as cheap as one that is generated from finite sources.

India’s solar industry has announced ambitious plans to construct a 4 GW mega PV plant selling solar power at just $89 MWh – a record-low. This is an equivalent of 5.5 rupees per kWh (approx. 28.32 Malaysian sen per kWh).

That's about the current rate we are paying for electricity in Malaysia - SESB charges 33.5 sen/kWh and TNB charges 21.8 sen/kWh to 45.4 sen/kWh.



The state of Rajasthan has been identified as the location for the country's planned 4 GW solar plant. Photo: pv-magazine


India’s ultra-mega solar plant plan
Source: pv-magazine

The venture, which would more than double India’s current sun-powered capacity, is being driven by a consortium of six state-owned companies, which includes Power Grid Corp. (PWGR) of India Ltd., and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL).

The report states that the first gigawatt will be ready by the end of 2016, from which point it will begin selling solar power at just $89 MWh (5,500 rupees), which is 10 rupees cheaper than the current-lowest solar power bid, and approximately 32% below the global average.

The solar plant will be India’s first of such an ultra-mega magnitude, and will rival the nation’s 100 GW of planned coal-fired plants that are also in the offing.

This clean energy venture will receive unspecified government funding, while BHEL will own 26%. Bids are expected to be sought for a contractor to design and then build the plant. It is expected to be constructed on an 18,000-acre site near Sambhar Lake in the state of Rajasthan.

After the first gigawatt comes online in 2016, the remaining 3 GW will be put in place before 2020, which private companies may be invited to bid for.


TheGreenMechanics: Cool! That's the way to go!

Singapore Housing Development Board is tendering out 5MW solar-leasing project

Just about a week ago, report surfaced that Singapore is installing its largest to-date rooftop solar PV with rated capacity of 1.2MW.

Few days ago, PV magazine reported another encouraging solar news from the city state - The Housing Development Board (HDB) is currently drawing up plans for the largest single solar-leasing project to date comprising 5MW in total in four precints on the main island.


First solar-leasing project in Punggol to develope 3MWp systems by Sunseap is currently on-going. Photo by Sunseap Enterprises Pte Ltd


Plan for 5MWp solar-leasing system at housing blocks

The tender is for prospective company to own and operate the panels on about 125 housing blocks in four precints:

• Ang Mo Kio
• Sengkang
• Serangoon North, and
• Buangkok.

The total solar electricity generated is expected to be around 5MW. This capacity can power more than 1,000 four-room HDB apartments. The HDB will be offsetting up to 30% of the start-up costs and will also purchase the electricity generated for 20 years at a 5% or greater discount off the prevailing market price.

The solar electricity generated will then be used to power the corridors, lifts, water pumps and other ancillary common areas in the apartment blocks. The HDB also wants to look into the possibility of households being able to buy solar generated electricity.

The HDB is a statutory board of the Ministry of National Development and is responsible for public housing in Singapore where as many as 80% of the population live.


Current project in Punggol

In January this year the HDB awarded a tender to solar developer Sunseap to lease 3MWp systems for 80 blocks in Singapore's first eco-town in Punggol. Installation works are expected to be completed by 2014. In this project, Sunseap will design, finance, install, operate and maintain the solar PV systems.


TheGreenMechanics: Solar leasing project - No FiT involved in the Singapore case here, but with innovation and creative ideas, developers and the local government can work together to arrive at a win-win conclusion.

Can we do that in Malaysia?


Reference: pv magazine

Singapore's largest rooftop PV system to be completed this year

Singapore prospers in many aspects but lacks one thing - Land.

But this does not stop the city state from venturing into this space-consuming solar PV project with the installation of its largest photovoltaic arrays on rooftops measuring 2.7 acres in total.


The CMM building rooftop is expected to be fully utilised with this PV installation. Photo by Phoenix Solar


1.2 MWp rooftop solar PV, Singapore's largest so far

Phoenix Solar will develop a 1.2 MWp rooftop installation for CMM Marketing Management HQ  and centralised distribution centre at Mandai Link in the northern part of Singapore. CMM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sheng Siong, the third largest supermarket chain in Singapore.

The PV system will cover around 11,000 square metres (approx.2.71 acres) and have a rated capacity of at least 1.2 MWp. The system is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Approximately 15% of CMM's electricity consumption will be covered by the rooftop PV system. This will mitigate at least 730 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year from Singapore's gas-fired power plants.

"The commercial and environmental returns of this project make it a viable business decision, which will continue to yield benefits for a long time."

- Lim Hock Chee, CEO of  Sheng Siong


Potential main source of electricity in Singapore?

Phoenix Solar believes the demand for bigger PV systems is growing in Singapore, where an industrial rooftop PV system can be expected to pay for itself in 7-10 years resulting in an unlevered project internal rate of return of 8 to 13%.

The attractive returns on investment is expected to spur further installations and by the end of 2013, Phoenix Solar predict that there would be at least 20 MW installed capacity in the country.

If this growth rate continues, then within a decade PV will become a mainstream source of electricity in Singapore, the company believes.

In February this year, Phoenix Solar also announced the development of a 435 kWp PV system for Greenpac (S) Pte Ltd, a manufacturer of environmentally-friendly industrial packaging solutions on its new integrated manufacturing and R&D centre facility.


TheGreenMechanics: Average retail electricity price in Singapore is currently SGD0.2628/kWh (approximately RM0.67/kWh) based on Q1/2013 data. That makes solar PV investment pays itself back faster than in Malaysia.


Reference: pv magazine

9kW Solar PV installed at SMK Langkon, Kota Marudu

Educating people on the importance and significance of renewable energy sources should start early. SMK Langkon did just that. With some help, of course.

A couple of weeks ago, SMK Langkon in Kota Marudu, Sabah became the recipient of a 9kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system that will generate electricity while saving the school on electricity bills.

Dr. Maximus at the launch of the solar PV. Photo: Borneoinsider

Solar PV for SMK Langkon

The installation of the system is a project undertaken by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry with Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) and SESB to promote and spread awareness to the students and local community on the importance of renewable energy.

The project would be a model as it is the first time net metering system is used in Sabah by SESB. With this system, the balance of energy produced in the premises that is not utilised is sold back to SESB. The school will only pay the net electricity bill after the amount of energy generated from the solar PV system is deducted.

The project cost around RM90,000 and is sponsored by Syarikat Warisan Harta Sabah Sdn Bhd. This means that it cost the company RM10,000 per kWp, slightly higher from the current market rate of RM9,000/kWp.

The school was chosen because the site houses two schools – the SK Langkon and SMK Langkon, enabling the students there to have first-hand exposure on the subject of renewable energy.

The school is also often used as a temporary relief centre for flood victims in the district and electricity disruption can easily occur during a flood.


Not a first for school, but a good start nonetheless.

SMK St. Michael in Penampang launched its 5.4kWp rooftop solar PV in March this year thanks to an initiative by German company, Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH.

I believe more schools in the interior should be fitted with solar PV, there are still many schools out there without grid power. Students can then be taught to become installer/entrepreneur in anticipation of the implementation of the Feed-in Tariff mechanism in Sabah later.


TheGreenMechanics: There's nothing wrong with installing solar PV at SMK Langkon, but priority should be given to schools without power supply from SESB. Agree?


Reference: Bernama

Panasonic’s high-efficiency solar module now in full production

Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sbn Bhd, a solar module manufacturing plant established by Panasonic Corporation in December 2011 at Kulim Hi-Tech Park, has started full-scale production with an annual production capacity of 300MW.


Panasonic Corporation officials with Kedah state government and MIDA representatives during the official opening. Photo: The Borneo Post


Panasonic Kulim Factory Overview 

Factory:	Panasonic Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Location:	Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kedah, Malaysia
Establishment:	December 2011
Products:	HIT® solar modules
Floor space:	Approx. 70,000 m²
Production capacity:	300 MW annually

Panasonic begins full-scale production at 300 MW Solar Module factory in Malaysia (Heterojunction with Instrinsic Thin-layer, HIT)

The solar plant manufactures HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer) solar modules. The RM1.84 billion solar manufacturing plant started operation in December 2012. The Kulim plant is pushing Panasonic’s overall annual production capacity to 900MW.

The new manufacturing facility plays an important role in helping Panasonic meet robust solar demand in addition to delivering cost competitiveness.

The Panasonic HIT solar modules offer top-class solar cell conversion efficiency of up to 22%.

The global solar market is expected to grow further with increasing environmental awareness and the introduction of stimulus measures such as the feed-in tariffs and subsidies in various countries, including Japan and Malaysia. In less than a year, the Kulim plant has reached its full-scale production.

“Our solar factory adopts a fully integrated solar manufacturing system that converts wafers to solar cells and modules. This helps strengthen our cost competitiveness through reduced transportation costs and the use of local materials."
- Yasuyoshi Kawanishi, managing director of Panasonic Energy Malaysia.

Doing the environment a favour, Panasonic HIT solar modules play a leading role in reducing carbon footprint while enabling more and more people to have access to clean energy.

Japan remains the largest importing country at the moment.


Source: The Borneo Post

Annual solar radiations in different cities in Malaysia

Two places where you'd get the best solar radiation in Malaysia are Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Bayan Lepas (Penang), with the former as the best spot.

It's a shame we do not have the SEDA Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in place in Sabah and Sarawak.

Table 1: Annual solar radiation in different cities/town in Malaysia
* Source - Sustainable Energy and Environment Forum

Table 1 shows that every square meter of solar panel produces a sum of 1,900 kWh of energy per year on average in Kota Kinabalu, compared to only 1,571 kWh in Kuala Lumpur.

Annual average value per square metre of solar cell.

Kota Kinabalu which receives a sum of 1900 kWh/m2 per year can be said to have received 1900 hours of sun per year at 1 kW/m2; or 5.2 hours of sun per day at 1 kW/m2

This means that for every square meter of solar panel you get around 5.2kWh of energy per day.

For a 1.48m x 0.67m panel with 15% efficiency, you get 0.78kWh of energy per panel per day. A 12-panel residential solar PV system will generate 280kWh/month*

In comparison, similar panel installed in Kuala Lumpur would give 232kWh/month*

*Some system integrators insist that PV panels continue to generate energy beyond the "5.2 peak sun hours", thus giving income of more than the estimated figures.

Income generated at both locations

Take the above installation size, and take the current FiT for solar PV of RM1.37/kWh, you generate and sell electricity to TNB from the roof of your home or car garage at:

K.Kinabalu     : RM383.60 per month or RM4,603 annually

K.Lumpur       : RM317.80 per month or RM3,814  annually

Note: With the current technology, more energy can be squeezed out of a 1 m2 than before; therefore, you use less area on your rooftop to generate similar amount of energy.

As you can see, location makes a lot of difference. Folks in Sabah and Penang are primely located, which makes you wonder why the Sabah state government is not willing to contribute to the Renewable Energy Fund to get the people to enjoy the same benefit as of those in West Malaysia.

The levy is just 1% of the the monthly electricity bills and it affects only the bigger energy users, i.e, those paying more than RM77 per month.

Alternatively, the state government can set aside an annual budget and pay to the fund holders at SEDA Malaysia for the first, say, 3 years. Thereafter, let the consumers pay the 1% levy just like those in peninsula.

Best spots to generate renewable energy through solar - the northern states. Image credit: SEE Forum

TheGreenMechanics: Again, it's a shame Renewable Energy FiT is not applicable in Sabah.

Author's note: This article was edited for correction on 3 December 2019.

SEDA Malaysia announced final release of 1,500kW Solar PV quota for Individuals

Rooftop solar PV. Image credit: Green Remodel Forum

Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA Malaysia) announced the release of 1,500kW of solar photovoltaic (PV) quota for the individuals in three batches.

The quota for individual under the Solar Home Rooftop Programme will be released at noon on:-

• 28th August 2013 (Wednesday)       - 500kW
• 4th September 2013 (Wednesday)   - 500kW
• 11th September 2013 (Wednesday) - 500kW

After 11th September 2013, there will be no more release of any solar PV quota for the individuals because it is not realistic for these individual Feed-In Approvals Holders (FiAHs) to be able to achieve commercial operation of their PV system by year end.

Any renewable energy projects which are supposed to achieve commercial operation by this year and fails to do so will incur further degression to their FiT rate as stipulated in their Feed-In Approval (FiA) certificate. It is thus important for all FiAHs to note for solar PV for the individuals, the degression rate is 8% whilst for the non-individuals, it is 20%.


Preventing potential abuse

In order to prevent any potential abuse of solar PV quota for the individuals, effective 28th August 2013, the solar PV quota for the individual will be applicable only for residential premises under individual names only.

However applicants who are applying as an enterprise/sole proprietor/partnership for buildings or premises registered under individual names will also be allowed to apply for a FiA under the individual quota.


Useful reminder

SEDA Malaysia reminds all interested FiA applicants to comply with all the requirements during application as follows:

1. Ensure all information submitted through the e-FiT online system is accurate, clear and precise as any ambiguity may result in automatic refusal;
2. Declaration form must be uploaded to the e-FiT online system within three (3) calendar days from the application date; and
3. The hardcopy of the declaration form and proof of payment of application and processing fees must be received by SEDA Malaysia within seven (7) calendar days from the application date.

TheGreenMechanics: According to SEDA Malaysia, as at end of July 2013, it has approved renewable energy capacity is 509.75 MW but so far only 112.44 MW is connected to the grid. We are a bit slow in implementing approved projects!


Source: SEDA Malaysia press release, dated 27th August 2013

Solar demands surges in Asia

We've heard in the recent time that solar panel manufacturers are scaling back and some them even filed for bankruptcy.

But in contrary, Bloomberg reported this week that three major solar manufacturers are producing panels at full speed and contemplating plans to expand capacity to meet surging demand in Asia. They are Trina Solar, SunPower and Jinko Solar.

Green money surging in Asia? Image credit: REW

Increased production by major solar manufacturers

Trina Solar, the third-largest panel producer, increased its forecast for panel shipments this year to as much as 2.4 GW from an earlier range of 2 GW - 2.1 GW. Trina shipped 647 MW of panels in the second quarter, up 54% from a year earlier. It expects to deliver as much as 680 MW this quarter.

SunPower Corp. and JinkoSolar Holding Co. said they're also running their factories at maximum and mulling ways to boost output. The industry has been battered by excess production that drove panel prices down 61% since the start of 2011.

JinkoSolar expanded its annual production capacity to 1.5 GW from 1.2 GW, which won't be enough to meet its 2013 forecast of 1.5 GW - 1.7 GW of panel shipments. The factories are running at about 90% of capacity now.

SunPower said on July 31 that it's exploring ways to increase capacity, including expanding a joint venture with AU Optronics Corp.

"The solar industry was put into a bad, bad downturn, a horrendous margin environment. New markets, China, Japan, are growing, more than offsetting slowing markets like Europe."
- Dan Ries, an analyst with Maxim Group LLC.

Japan is promoting wider use of solar power after closing nuclear facilities following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. China has said it expects to install 10 gigawatts of solar panels this year.

According to Bloomberg, Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. is the largest panel manufacturer by 2012 shipments, followed by Suntech Power Holdings Co.


TheGreenMechanics: In a small way, Malaysia too, is contributing to this increase in demand in Asia thanks to our very attractive Feed-in Tariff rates for electricity generated from solar PV. Response is very encouraging especially from non-individual segment.

Source: Bloomberg

Solar PV market worth $134 billion by 2020

Being the third-largest deployed renewable technology globally (after small hydro and wind), the world passed the 100 GW mark in cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity in 2012.

By 2020, cumulative installation is predicted to more than quadruple at 438 GW worldwide. Pretty remarkable, eh?

Annual revenue from solar installations will top $134 billion by 2020

Market analyst Navigant Research has predicted annual revenues from PV installations worldwide will top US$134 billion by 2020.

The company's report predicts most government renewable energy installation targets will be met in coming years resulting in 438 GW of cumulative installations worldwide over the next seven years.

Navigant Research predicts solar will be able to stand as a viable competitor to conventional electricity independent of incentives in 2017, a year after the tax credit for solar investment in the U.S. falls to 10%.

The release predicts solar will be cost competitive with electricity without subsidies across 'most of the world' by 2020.

Navigant's Dexter Gauntlett says financial incentives, government renewables targets and technology cost reductions remain the three forces driving the adoption of solar.


Source: PV magazine

People's power: Western Australia reversed decision to cut FiT rate for residential Solar PV

Australians living in Western Australia enjoy rooftop solar PV feed-in tariff rate of A$0.40/kWh (approx. RM1.19/kWh) and this is slightly lower than Malaysia's rate of RM1.37/kWh.

But what's interesting here is the state government's reversal of its earlier decision to halve the currently A$0.40 per kWh to A$0.20 per kWh amidst strong protest from people with solar panels installed on their rooftops.

It's encouraging to note that there are about 75,000 solar-owning voters in Western Australia. This shows that at a rate lower than Malaysia's, solar power is very much viable.

Here are the details:

6-panel solar PV array on suburban Australian rooftop. Image by: REW

Western Australia backs down on Solar Feed-in Tariff cut

Western Australia’s government today announced a reversal of its earlier decision to retrospectively halve its AUD $0.40/kWh feed-in tariff (FiT) for residential solar power, only four days after announcing it.

Premier Colin Barnett said during weekly cabinet meeting that the decision to cut the FiT had been a mistake.

The state’s budget, announced last Thursday, said the FiT would be retroactively halved to $0.20/kWh in a bid to save $51.2 million over the next four years. But since then MPs have been deluged with protests from angry voters, including a petition organised by solar advocacy group Solar Citizens which the group said gathered 8000 signatures in just three days.

Solar Citizens also began a campaign to focus on unseating politicians holding marginal seats in solar-heavy areas.

The strength of the protest caused a political firestorm, with The West Australian newspaper reporting that criticism even came from within the governing party.

But the real surprise was the mobilisation of what the government estimates are 75,000 solar-owning voters in the state, which apparently frightened politicians in light of Australia’s upcoming federal election on 7 September.

“Quite simply, we got this decision wrong and we have to fix it. We have listened, and we appreciate the commitment that many people have made to take up renewable energy, like solar power.” - Western Australia Premier, Colin Barnett.

TheGreenMechanics: Our FiT rate is considered more attractive and is funded by consumers that consume more energy. Small energy users are not affected. That's fine by me.


Source: REW

Residential Solar PV system financing packages by Senheng

Climate is certainly good for the solar PV industry in Malaysia; at least where financing is concerned.

Just a couple of months ago, Alliance Bank Bhd came up with Home Complete Plus-Solar Panel Financing. Then, earlier this month, Bank Muamalat became the second bank in Malaysia to offer financing for solar PV under the Home Solar Rooftop Programme by SEDA.

Simplified details of the 3 packages offered by Senheng

Latest to join in the bandwagon is Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn Bhd, an electrical and electronic retail chain store with more than 130 outlets nationwide, with its financing package themed “Green Energy, Green Money”. It is slightly different in that the package includes consulting, installation and maintenance of the solar PV system, whereas Alliance Bank and Bank Muamalat only provide financing after the customer has fulfilled all the installation requirement on his own.


Green Energy, Green Money

The theme “Green Energy, Green Money” is derived from the idea that the residential solar PV system is one of the most effective ways in producing green energy, while at the same time able to provide a source of income. Consumers will now be able to play a very important role in decreasing the harmful impact of traditional energy sources (fuel, coal, etc) to the environment, whilst generating a side income.


3 Packages available

Senheng offers 3 residential solar PV system packages, all come with free first 3 years maintenance service:-

4kWp system - cost around RM40,800

8kWp system - cost around RM81,600

12kWp system - cost around RM122,400

Senheng provides 85% financing with special low interest rate for customers, and as a carrot, customers are entitled to 15% cash rebate after full installation.


Availability

This will initially be available only at Klang Valley Senheng outlets and senQ Digital Stations, but the company will expand to other states over time.


TheGreenMechanics:

Very attractive prepositions, especially with the 15% cash rebate upon full completion. A bold move by the company. But the 'special low interest rate' now seems like a distant reality as the company needs to recoup the rebate amount - RM6,120, RM12,240 and RM18,360 - respectively for each package.

Note: The total revenue and total surplus mentioned in the brochure are only estimations. Actual revenue will be determined by weather condition and efficiency of the solar PV system.

An interesting alternative though, for the consumers.

Reference: Senheng Electrical website

Thailand adding 1,000MW of Solar PV by 2014

In Renewable Energy sector, Thailand is known to be more aggressive than any of its Southeast Asia counterparts. Within the next one and a half years, the kingdom plans to install 1,000 MW of solar photovoltaic - 200 MW for individual rooftops, and 800 MW for community-owned installations.

Table 1: Thailand's Feed-in Tariffs for Solar PV. There is currently 400 MW of PV installed in Thailand.

Table 2: Malaysia's Feed-in Tariffs for Solar PV


Aggressive move by Thailand

Since Thailand launched its aggressive feed-in tariff program in 2006, the country has installed nearly 1,000 MW of renewables and has a portfolio of signed contracts of more than 4,000 MW, nearly half of that for solar PV.

Unlike Malaysia, contracts were for a limited time period of 10 years or less. But that has changed recently - Thailand’s National Energy Policy Commission (NEPC) has approved new feed-in tariffs for both rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV with contract terms of 25 years.

This brings the Thai program into alignment with similar programs in Germany, Great Britain, and Ontario, Canada. According to a release by Thailand’s Energy Research Institute, the new feed-in tariffs for solar PV will be differentiated by size and application. There will be three size tranches for rooftop solar PV, and a separate tranche for community-owned, ground-mounted installations.

NEPC has set aside 200 MW for rooftop solar PV, but it must be installed by the end of the year (2013. 100 MW is set aside for systems less than 10 kW in size, and another 100 MW is set aside for systems from 10 kW to 1 MW. The remaining 800 MW is reserved for community-owned projects and must be installed by year end 2014.


Source: REW

Bank Muamalat launches rooftop Solar PV financing

Interested individuals have been hoping that more commercial banks will help finance the installation of solar PV on their rooftops. It seems that they are getting what they've been wishing for.

This week on Thursday, Bank Muamalat became the second bank in Malaysia to offer financing for solar PV under the Home Solar Rooftop Programme by the SEDA.  The first was Alliance Bank, which announced its solar PV loan program in June 2013.

Deputy Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Mahdzir Khalid launching the smart financing. Photo credit: Bernama

Smart Green Mortgage for Solar PV FiT plan

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd has launched the "Smart Green Mortgage for Solar Photovoltaic Feed-in Tariff Plan", offering financing services to its customers to purchase and install solar systems in their house. The plan will be the first Islamic financing package which is fully Shariah compliant, offered to the market.

"Bank Muamalat is assisting the government to develop green technology via introducing this innovative service as it will help boost investment and awareness on green technology in Malaysia."
- Deputy CEO, Musa Abdul Malek at the launch.

The plan was in line with the implementation of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) mechanism administered by SEDA which enables Malaysians to generate electricity from renewable sources while earning a fixed income for up to 21 years by selling electricity to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).


Features (visit your nearest branch for more information)

• special deal via refinancing of customer's existing home financing facilities with Bank Muamalat,
• easy moving cost feature with legal and valuation fees absorbed by the bank,
• limited period of special financing package to reduce financing cost, resulting in affordable monthly installments,
• expected return on investment of up to 16% annually, with estimated average revenue of RM580 on the solar PV system, depending on installation type and location.

The income will be generated monthly for the next 21 years and it will be credited directly by TNB into the customers savings or current accounts maintained by the bank.


TheGreenMechanics: Participation from more financial institutions buds well with public/investors' confidence in the viability of the Rooftop Solar PV program. This investment would be a good source of income during retirement years. - 21 years of passive income.


Source: Bernama

SEDA Malaysia releases 500 kW of solar PV for individuals

Typical grid-connected rooftop solar PV system.

Date of release  : 30th July 2013
Quota size          : 500 kW
Category            : individuals

Putrajaya (Tuesday, July 30,  2013): In response to the individuals' demand for the FiT for solar PV, SEDA Malaysia has released another 500 kW of solar PV quota for the individuals today. This will give opportunity to about 120 homes/individuals based on installation size of 4kWp.

In an announcement on its official website, SEDA Malaysia said it will monitor the quota especially for the individuals on regular basis and release quota on the premise of RE Fund allocation.


Loans for home Solar PV systems

In the previous article, I wrote about the loan for financing your home solar PV system. Margin of financing is up to 90% with tenure of up to 10 years.

Now that the quota for individuals has been released, it is time to grab the opportunity.


AUGUST UPDATES:

August 5, 2013:  SEDA Malaysia released 500kW of solar PV for the individuals

August 1, 2013: SEDA Malaysia released 900 kW of solar PV for the individuals

US joins 10-GW solar PV club

The United States now has more than 10 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar PV capacity, joining Germany, Italy, and China — and it's just getting warmed up, according to new calculations from NPD SolarBuzz. And watch for the next 10-GW Club member that's fast approaching.



Regional distribution of the U.S.' 10 GW of installed solar PV. (Credit: SolarBuzz)


Solar PV installations in the U.S. totaled 1.8 GW through the first six months of 2013. That isn't quite at the midpoint of SolarBuzz's forecasted 4.3 GW for the entire year, but that's still the expectation because the majority of the U.S. solar market should be realized in the second half of the year.

With the 10-GW milestone in hand, the U.S. solar PV market isn't looking back. SolarBuzz expects the market to hit 17 GW by the end of 2014, representing 80 percent growth over 18 months.


What's driving the U.S. solar market

• Individual state support schemes
• U.S. residential solar demand continues to surge, and third-party-owned solar residential in particular
• System pricing declines, especially driving the utility segment
• System price-points for utility-scale solar at $2.14/W and residential systems at $4.93/W

Worldwide outlook

Worldwide solar PV demand reached 15 GW through the first six months of this year, roughly a 9% increase from a year ago, and cumulative solar PV installations are about 116.5 GW, according to SolarBuzz. In each scenario, more than 60% comes from four countries: Germany, China, Japan, and the U.S.

In cumulative capacity only Japan is close to them, and Spain and France are distant at around 4.5 GW and 4 GW respectively. In the second half of this year, China and Japan should account for nearly half of the solar PV demand all by themselves.

Japan, which is having a stellar 2013 for solar PV, is catching up fast behind the U.S. in solar PV capacity and could top 10 GW cumulative in the next couple of months.

What's driving the Japanese market these days is the non-residential feed-in tariff, which is helping the utility segment really take off.


Further readings: Renewable Energy World

Comtec to build one of world’s largest solar wafer plants in Sarawak for RM1.2bil

Citing established power supply infrastructure, transparent policies, and  geographic convenience as pulling factor, China's Comtec Solar Group decided to choose Sarawak as its international expansion target.

In 2010, Sabah had a rare opportunity of attracting RM5.2 billion in foreign direct investment from another China solar player, Sun Bear Solar Ltd, to set up the first solar glass manufacturing in Malaysia. This plant was supposed to be sited at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, but due to power supply shortage the plan did not materialised.

It is apparent that, unlike Sarawak, we do not have an 'established infrastructure' yet.


Sama Jaya Industrial Zone was developed by Sarawak government to encourage the siting of electronic industries. Comtec solar plant will be sited here.


The Sarawak solar wafer manufacturing plant in brief:

Investment               : RM1.2 billion ($373 million)
Location                  : Sama Jaya Industrial Park, Kuching
Occupied area         : 40 acres
Job opportunity       : 1,300 new jobs
Construction            : Starting June 2013, expected completion Dec-2013
Production               : starting 1Q, 2014
Main customers       : Sunpower in Melaka, Panasonic in Kulim, Kedah


Comtec solar plant a sign of intensifying investments

China-based Comtec Solar Group (Comtec) via its subsidiary Comtec Solar International (M) Sdn Bhd has formally officiated the ground breaking for its RM1.2 billion solar wafer manufacturing plant yesterday which will eventually have an annual production capacity of one gigawatt of N-type mono solar wafer.

Having acquired approximately 40 acres of land in Sama Jaya Industrial Park, this makes the Sama Jaya plant one of the biggest mono solar wafer manifacturing facilities in the world upon completion.

With the development of Comtec’s solar plant capable of supplying energy at reasonable a price, it is hoped that it could create the link between Samalaju and Sama Jaya.

Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud highlighted that, “With the establishment of Comtec’s solar plant, I believe it will push further our desire to see that the plan to attract the solar industry would be coming forth as the result of our preparations to attract energy intensive industries.”

Second Minister for Resource Planning and Environment, Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah said in his opening remarks, “Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone is developed by the state government to cater for the high-technology industry where our young university and college graduates can find employment.”

Explaining on the plant’s construction, Comtec chairman John Zhang said, “Our phase 1 construction will start by the end of June and is expected to be completed before the end of 2013 by Sinohydro.

“The production and the supply to our customers like Sunpower in Melaka and Panasonic in Kulim will begin in the first quarter of 2014 and ramping up throughout the year.”

To note, the Comtec Group is one of the world’s top leading professional solar silicon ingots and N type wafer manufacturer, with a non-disruptive technology that dramatically delivers superior performance than normal P-type mono and multi wafers in current worldwide solar market.

“Before we decided to choose Sarawak, we reviewed a number of location options worldwide,” Zhang told reporters.

“After an extensive evaluation of established infrastructure, transparent policies, ethical practices, production cost, greographic conveninence and encouraging investments, we finally chose Samalaju in November last year."
- John Zhang, Comtec Solar Group chairman 

“We were impressed with Kuching’s well-established solar manufacturing base, experienced workforce and its attractive power supply infrastructure facilities,” said Zhang.



Source: The Borneo Post