Use of solar energy for electricity generation is growing in the United States and globally. In the United States, solar energy overall accounted for 2.2% of total electricity generation in 2018, up from 0.7% in 2014. Source: Market Analysis
LONGi strengthens presence in Mexico with 191MW Pachamama PV power plant
AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico, Feb. 25, 2020 — Invested by French solar energy firm Neoen, the Pachamama photovoltaic power plant, located in the state of Aguascalientes in central Mexico, has a total installed capacity of 375MW, of which 191MW is deployed by LONGi. The plant was completed and handed over to Neoen in January 2020.
The Pachamamar photovoltaic power plant is currently the largest new energy project in the Americas undertaken by PowerChina HuaDong Engineering Corporation as the EPC of the project. The deployment of LONGi’s 191MW mono-crystalline modules is recognition of the performance and reliability of LONGi’s products in Mexico. The project is also an important breakthrough in Mexico by PowerChina and LONGi, and a milestone in the development of renewable energy in Latin America.
Based on mutual understanding and prior partnership experience with LONGi, Neoen came into the project with strong recognition of the product quality, performance and the financial bankability of LONGi. Module deliveries were completed in advance, thus ensuring the project will be connected to the grid on schedule.
The PV industry in Latin America has recognized the advantages of high power, high performance and lower LOCE delivered by quality products and applied them to large-scale ground power plants in recent years. In the high irradiance environment of the region, LONGi’s modules have showed excellent performance and have become a reliable choice for investors.
The Pachamamar photovoltaic power plant will provide a steady stream of clean and sustainable energy for the locale, stimulate local employment and promote the optimization of Mexico’s energy structure. LONGi, as the world’s most valuable solar technology company, will continue to bring high return on investment to customers and partners through innovative products and technologies, and promote the sustainable development of renewable energy in Latin America.
SOURCE: LONGi Solar
U.S. Demand for Solar Equipment
Over 1.3 million PV systems (with 14.8 gigawatts of capacity) were installed in the United States in 2016, more than four times the level of 2012. Several factors account for the growing domestic demand for PV products, including the following:
Falling cell and module prices. According to GTM Research, in 2016 module and cell prices dropped 25% and 23%, respectively.
The solar investment tax credit. The credit was set to expire in 2016, but was extended through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114- 113). The credit is scheduled to be reduced from the current 30% of solar module costs to 10% for commercial projects and to 0% for residential projects in 2022.
State renewable portfolio standards. Twenty-nine states mandate an increase in the production of electricity from solar and other renewable resources.
Higher efficiency. Crystalline silicon PV modules convert, on average, 12%-22% of incoming sunlight into electricity. As efficiency has improved, PV installations have become more cost-effective relative to some other sources of electric power.
Amazon Continues Renewable Energy Investments with Wind and Solar Projects in Australia, Europe, and the US
The four projects include Amazon’s first renewable energy project in Australia, second in Sweden, second in Spain, and 11th in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which combined, are expected to produce almost 300 MW of additional renewable capacity and approximately 840,000 MWh of energy annually, or enough to power more than 76,000 average US homes
Projects will supply renewable energy to the grids powering the AWS data centers that support Amazon and millions of AWS customers globally
Globally, Amazon has 86 renewable energy projects that have the capacity to generate over 2,300 MW and deliver more than 6.3 million MWh of energy annuallyMarch 12, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SEATTLE–(March 12, 2020)–Today, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced four new renewable energy projects in Australia, Spain, Sweden, and the US that further support Amazon’s commitment to reach 80% renewable energy by 2024 and 100% renewable energy by 2030 on path to net zero carbon by 2040.
Amazon is investing globally to enable new renewable energy projects as the company works towards net zero carbon by 2040. Amazon’s first renewable energy project in Australia is a 60 megawatt (MW) solar project anticipated to come online in 2021 in northern New South Wales. Once complete, the project is expected to generate 142,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy annually, which is equivalent to the annual electricity of almost 23,000 average Australian households.
Amazon’s newest renewable energy projects in Europe include 122 MW from an onshore wind project in Västernorrland, Sweden, expected to come online 2022, and a new 50 MW solar farm in Zaragoza, Spain, expected to begin operations in 2021. Once enabled, these projects have the capacity to power the equivalent of 158,000 average European homes each year.
Amazon’s newest solar project in the US will be located in Halifax County, Virginia. The 65 MW solar project is expected to generate over 150,000 MWh of renewable energy annually and will be Amazon’s 11th renewable energy project in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Separately, Amazon also recently announced a new solar project in Pittsylvania County that will power Amazon’s new HQ2 headquarters along with other Amazon-owned operations across the Commonwealth, including Whole Foods Markets and fulfillment centers. More information about the 82-megawatt project can be found on the Amazon Day One blog: https://blog.aboutamazon.com/sustainability/powering-hq2-with-100-renewable-energy.
Once complete, the four new Amazon renewable energy wind and solar projects will provide almost 300 MW and approximately 840,000 MWh of additional renewable capacity to the grids that supply energy to the company’s AWS data centers, which power Amazon and millions of AWS customers globally.
To date, Amazon has launched 26 utility-scale wind and solar renewable energy projects that will generate over 2,200 MW of renewable capacity and deliver more than 6.2 million MWh of clean energy annually – enough to power 560,000 U.S. homes. Amazon has also installed more than 50 solar rooftops on fulfillment centers and sort centers around the globe that generate 122 MW of renewable capacity and deliver 193,000 MWh of clean energy annually.
“We’re on a mission to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early as part of The Climate Pledge commitment to be net zero carbon across our operations by 2040. These new renewable energy projects are part of our roadmap to 80% renewable energy by 2024 and 100% renewable energy by 2030,” said Kara Hurst, Vice President of Sustainability, Amazon. “In addition to the environmental benefits inherently associated with running applications in the cloud, investing in renewable energy is a critical step toward addressing our carbon footprint globally.”
“I applaud Amazon for their investment in renewable energy projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Virginia Congressman Denver Riggleman. “This solar energy project will generate 65 megawatts of renewable energy, which will create clean jobs for the region.”
Visit https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com to view the company’s new sustainability report and learn more.
Source: Amazon
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Sungrow Supplies the 200 MW Wright Solar Project in California’s Central Valley
SAN FRANCISCO, March 13, 2020 — Sungrow, the global leading inverter solution supplier for renewables, announced that the 200 MW utility-scale Wright Solar project, utilizing Sungrow SG2500U-MV turnkey inverter solutions, has been operational since early this year in California’s Central Valley, making another milestone for the Company’s continued commitment to utility-scale segment in the North American solar market. Notably, the project is California’s largest solar installation built exclusively for a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) agency.
The Central Valley is home to many California solar plants due to the ample sunshine and abundant flat land. The plant is expected to power more than 100,000 San Mateo County homes per year utilizing the 1500 Vdc turnkey solution SG2500U-MV.
Featuring an integration of the 2.5 MW central inverter, MV transformer and LV auxiliary power in a 20-ft container, the solution enables simplified transportation and installation as well as quick O&M. Due to the smart forced air-cooling technology, the product can work stably without derating even if it’s up to 50 degrees Celsius, being an ideal match given the high temperatures in the summer months. Developed for large-scale flat ground plants, the solution also characterizes a high DC/AC ratio and is compatible with bifacial modules and tracking systems, enabling high yields, which is recognized widely in the region.
The solar facility is being developed by Clēnera and constructed by Swinerton Renewable Energy with union labor hired from the surrounding areas. “Sungrow has delivered high-performing products and reliable service on a number of prominent and successful projects throughout the country. We look forward to continued cooperation as we work toward building a stronger economy and more sustainable future through solar,” said George Hershman, President of Swinerton Renewable Energy.
Clēnera’s Vice President of Operations, Michael Gallego said, “Our Sungrow inverters continue to provide reliable energy throughout the Clēnera portfolio of operating solar facilities. Ontime deliveries, speed of commissioning, and prompt service have made them a preferred partner for our growing list of assets.”
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is the power purchaser of the project. “This is a huge step for PCE and our customers. The Wright Solar project moves us toward our goal of providing all customers with 100 percent renewable power by 2025,” said CEO Jan Pepper, in a press release.
“Sungrow is always in the pursuit of technical innovations and establishing itself as a comprehensive service platform to pave the way for growing decarbonized economics,” said Hank Wang, President of Sungrow Americas.
Since entering the U.S. market in early 2010s, Sungrow continues to make big moves with inverters installed in landmark projects, in particular the largest projects in Washington State and Wyoming as well as the 200 MW Techren Ⅱ solar project in Nevada. The division shipped over 3 GW across the Americas in 2019.
Source: Sungrow
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