Cheap Chinese Panels Spark Solar Power Trade War
There’s a solar trade war going on inside the U.S., sparked by an invasion of inexpensive imports from China.
The U.S. solar industry is divided over these imports: Panel-makers say their business is suffering and want a tariff slapped on the imports. But other parts of the industry say these cheap panels are driving a solar boom in the U.S.
On the manufacturers’ side, there’s Gordon Brinser. He’s an Oregon native who says the company he runs there, SolarWorld, is not only green, it’s red, white and blue. “The mission that we have is to build products here in America, for America’s community, for America’s energy independence, and really leave the world a better place,” he says.
Brinser claims China is threatening that vision by flooding the U.S. with cheap solar panels. He claims China subsidizes its solar panel industry to the tune of $30 billion a year, yet uses only a small percentage of the panels it makes. “So obviously,” he says, “these subsidies have gone into the industry, and their full intention is to export and control markets in other countries.”
Brinser claims the imports contributed to the collapse of some U.S. manufacturers. Three did go out of business in 2010, though the exact cause may or may not be cheap imports. But Brinser has petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission to slap tariffs on imported Chinese panels.
So far the feds say, yes, American panel-makers have been harmed by Chinese imports. Yet to be determined is whether China is doing anything illegal: for instance, subsidizing panel-makers so they can sell below cost, a practice called “dumping.”
Brinser acknowledges that if he wins and tariffs are added, Americans will have to pay more for panels. “The prices will have to increase, you know, a little. They will find their new, natural balance in a competitive and legal environment,” he says.
Higher Prices Could Hurt Installers
But CASE, the Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy, says higher prices are bad for companies that install solar power. These companies far outnumber panel manufacturers.
Kevin Lapidus works for CASE and is vice president of SunEdison, which builds and operates solar power systems.
“Fully 52 percent of the U.S. jobs are in the installation business,” he says. “These are U.S. workers who wake up in the morning, put on a tool belt, and they go and build something.” He says manufacturers of solar panels in the U.S. are only about a quarter of the domestic business.
Lapidus says solar power is just now shaking off its reputation as too pricey for regular people. “We’re finally reducing the price of solar,” he says. “We’re driving down the cost to grow the solar base — installations, jobs, etc. And the SolarWorld trade case will increase the cost of electricity; it will set the industry back by years.”
He says it could also start an international trade… Continue reading
New Online Tools Help U.S. Deployment of Wind Energy Systems
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced two new online tools to assist state and local policymakers, consumers and stakeholders evaluate siting and policy issues to help accelerate the use of distributed wind energy systems such as wind turbines at homes and businesses. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy funded
development of the “Distributed Wind Site Analysis Tool” and “Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool” through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants. The tools are designed to help more people across the country install wind turbines to produce clean, renewable energy.
Distributed wind energy systems are typically installed near the point of electricity use at residences, businesses and community institutions such as schools and hospitals to help save energy, reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions. The two online tools lower barriers to distributed wind energy deployment identified in DOE’s 2008 report, “20% Wind Energy by 2030.” The report identifies site-specific factors such as zoning and permitting costs, interconnection fees, shipping and other related costs as significant factors in the costs of distributed wind systems. Such costs can limit distributed system deployment even in wind-rich locations.
The Distributed Wind Site Analysis Tool, developed by the Cadmus Group, Inc., allows users to input location and terrain information about a potential wind system site in the United States and predict the energy output and environmental benefits of that site. The tool is designed to help potential wind energy system consumers choose the most effective site for their wind energy project. The standard version of the tool was developed in partnership with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Encraft, and is free to site visitors. A version with more advanced features is available for an annual subscription fee.
The Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool, developed by eFormative Options, LLC, provides practical information for policymakers about potential state and local government policy options – including rebates, tax incentives, and ways of overcoming zoning and interconnection hurdles – to encourage rapid deployment of distributed wind energy systems. The tool allows sensitivity analyses to be conducted on various policy options and assumptions. These analyses model the impacts of policies and incentives and identify combinations of policies that may help guide efficient use of public and ratepayer funds. This tool was developed in collaboration with NREL, DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the North Carolina Solar Center, and is free to site visitors.
DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil. Learn more about DOE’s efforts to research, test, develop, and deploy innovative wind energy technologies.
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Megawatt Chestnut Flats Wind Farm
LOGAN TOWNSHIP, PA, Jan 13, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Gamesa Technology Corp. and enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, today announced that the 38 megawatt Chestnut Flats Wind Farm, located northwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania in Blair County, achieved commercial operation on December 29, 2011.
The project features 18 G90-2.0 MW and one G87-2.0 MW Gamesa wind turbines. Developed and built by Gamesa Energy USA, LLC, Chestnut Flats will deliver carbon-free electricity to the regional transmission system for the benefit of Delmarva Power & Light Company’s generation portfolio pursuant to a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement.
Chestnut Flats is the third wind farm Gamesa has developed and put into operation in Pennsylvania: “This project showcases Gamesa’s leadership in helping to build a clean energy future while providing opportunities for local economies and value to our customers,” said Jiddu Tapia, Gamesa’s Chief Development Officer for North America.
Tristan Grimbert, President & CEO of enXco, stated, “Chestnut Flats complements our growing wind farm generation portfolio of over 1.2 GWs with this, our first operating wind asset in Pennsylvania. We look forward to developing a long-term relationship with the landowners and local community. We further are pleased to be working with Delmarva, delivering renewable energy to their northeast customer base.”
“enXco is committed to owning and operating an excellent energy resource that contributes renewable energy to thousands of local customers,” said Rich Jigarjian, Vice President of Generation for enXco.
enXco acquired 100 percent of the equity interest in Chestnut Flats Wind LLC, as well as all project assets owned by the special purpose company, upon closing on December 28th.
As part of the sale agreement, Gamesa also will provide comprehensive operation and maintenance services for the turbines for five years. WestLB acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Gamesa on the sale of Chestnut Flats Wind LLC.
About enXco, an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company: enXco ( www.enxco.com ), an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company ( www.edf-energies-nouvelles.com ), develops, constructs, owns, operates and manages renewable energy projects throughout the United States. For more than two decades, we have been a leader in wind-energy focusing on large-scale wind projects. Today enXco’s portfolio includes solar and biomass technologies, in an effort to help drive our nation’s transition to a sustainable energy economy. enXco is a significant owner and developer of wind-energy installations in the United States, and is the leading third-party operations & maintenance provider for wind farms in North America.
About Gamesa: Gamesa Technology Corp., Inc., ( www.gamesacorp.com/en/ ) a global leader in the design and manufacture of wind turbines and the development, construction and sale of wind farms, has installed more than 23,000 MW in 30 countries on four continents. Gamesa entered the North American market in 2005 and has two manufacturing plants, a nacelle plant and a blades facility, both in Pennsylvania. In 2010, Gamesa ranked No. 3 in the United States for total wind power installations, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Gamesa also exports… Continue reading
Planned Solar Energy Farm Sold
Even before construction has started on a solar energy farm in Queen Creek, the planned facility has been sold for $75 million.
New Jersey-based PSEG Solar Source will buy the 19 megawatt solar energy farm and will sell electricity to Salt River Project for 20 years. PSEG bought the planned facility from its developer, Colorado-based juwi solar Inc. The plant will be maintained and operated by juwi after construction.
The town of Queen Creek has already approved the 158-acre facility, and construction is expected to begin this month. The site should begin operating in the third quarter.
This is the fourth juwi-built plant in the U.S. and the first one in Arizona. SRP has worked with several manufacturers and only does deals with known companies that have a proven track record like juwi, said Debbie Kimberly, SRP’s director of customer programs and marketing.
The construction will generate 120 jobs, said Paul Rosengren, a PSEG spokesman. The plant will be monitored remotely without having employees on site.
This is the third Valley solar facility providing energy for SRP. It also is purchasing power from a just-announced 1 megawatt facility at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus in Mesa. Also, it’s buying power from the 20 megawatt Copper Crossing facility in Pinal County.
The sites are idea because they’re near existing power lines, Kimberly said.
“The advantage of the East Valley for us, if you’ve been out there, is it’s just as flat as a pancake. You’ve got a lot of available land and it’s well situated in terms of distribution and transmission,” Kimberly said.
SRP provides about 9 percent of energy with sustainable resources that include solar, wind, geothermal, hydro power and various conservation measures. It has a goal of 20 percent in 2020.
By Garin Groff, Tribune
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Pros and Cons of a Solar Lease Program
The cost of solar grid-tie systems still remains costly for the home owner.
However, a solar lease program can cost you one half the cost of buying your own system. Solar leasing is an affordable way for a home owner to save almost instantly on their electrical cost. But there are some things to consider about a lease versus a completely purchased system. Below, I have laid out some pros and cons about solar leasing. Pros:
Cons:
As you can see, a solar lease needs to be carefully studied by the home owner and balanced out financially if it is a feasible option.
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