France announces feed-in-tariff cuts

20.01.2012: The French Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE) has published new feed-in-tariff rates for the period from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2012 for solar power systems 100 kW and under. France’s solar feed-in tariffs are revised on a quarterly basis according to the number of installations that requested grid connection in the previous quarter. All in all, grid connection requests in the previous quarter totaled 38.2 MW for residential building-integrated PV (BIPV) plants, which results in a tariff rate decrease of 4.5 percent. For nonresidential BIPV plants, the grid-connection requests totaled 116.3 MW, which equals a tariff rate decrease of 9.5 percent. Source: Commission de régulation de l’énergie; Translation and summary: PHOTON

More info:

http://www.cre.fr/documents/deliberations/communication/tarifs-photovo
ltaique

Complete Press Release:
http://www.photon-international.com/newsletter/document/59637.pdf

The Poitou-Charentes Region – A Good Solar Student

2009 saw the implementation in this region of a plan to develop the solar photovoltaic industry in the area. The region's Vice President tells us more.

This is a region which is resolutely focused on solar energy. Convinced of the benefits it represents. Making sure it has all the resources possible to develop it. Since 2009, the Poitou-Charentes region has a solar plan. "The" solar plan. Because, although others have since followed suit, this region was the first to implement a series of innovative tools to assist companies, associations, groups and other public bodies wishing to install photovoltaic plants.

First, there is the "usual" direct aid, in the shape of grants from the Regional Environmental Excellence Fund. But what makes this plan special is its double-funding feature. This is made possible by the EIB, the European Investment Bank, together with the Crédit Agricole, both of which have agreed to fund the plan with a loan each of 200 million euros. This is unprecedented in Europe. And it's working. "The initial objective of the plan was to produce 70 MW in the region within the space of four years," says Jean-François Macaire, Vice President of the Regional Council. "But since the production capacity proved larger than expected, this figure has revised upwards with a new target of 270 MW over 5 years!"

This decision to go with solar does not come as such a surprise for a region that has made environmental excellence its priority. And this since 2004. A region which also has a plentiful supply of sunlight. Additional incentive: the resultant job creation. Indeed, since 2009, more than a dozen regional companies have been set up, transformed or expanded around the solar power plants. "We also want to establish a production chain in the region", explains Jean-François Macaire. Notably, the region plans to forge a partnership with Solairedirect, a company which is keen to install a photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing plant.

Despite the plan and all the goodwill behind it, the development of photovoltaics in the region has suffered – as has this entire industry sector – as a result of the recent governmental measures. In order to surmount this, the industry has had to innovate, remain flexible, learn to bounce back. For example, as part of the Photovoltaic Resistance Fund set up by the region in March, Poitou-Charentes and Solairedirect created a joint local semi-public company called "Solar Electricity of the (Ester) Poitou-Charentes Region." The objective: to support the development of 120 MW of solar in the next 5 years, while at the same time promoting the production of photovoltaic electricity at market prices. And the region's involvement is paying off. In September 2011, 107 MW were connected, compared to 3 back in 2008. "We have a steady rate of installation despite the recent difficulties in the sector," says Jean-François Macaire.

When we ask him what he would advise other regions wishing to invest more in solar, he replies: "First and foremost, this is a tried and tested technology, with some plants in existence for over 30 years now, and still going strong. Its business model has progressed significantly. And today we are seeing that the Chinese panels are not the be all and end all. There is a real place for French industry." Not to mention the ecological issue: "This is a sector with known production costs, unlike fossil or nuclear energy," says Jean-François Macaire. "It is a guarantee of energy autonomy and assured energy supply throughout the region." The Poitou-Charentes Vice President will be participating in the Solar Energy Conference being organized by Solarplaza on November 10 in Lyon – where he will be explaining in detail the ins and outs of this innovative plan. A not-to-be-missed event!

Goodbye Nuclear – Hello Solar

The prospect of a probable reduction in nuclear in France presents a fantastic opportunity for the photovoltaic industry. And never mind the Chinese competition – the French players have their card to play.

LYON, 7 NOVEMBER 2011 - It is a commitment which could appear timid, or even somewhat feeble at a time when some of their neighbors have already declared, "It's over," "Basta to the atom," "Stop nuclear." This commitment is that made by the Socialist presidential candidate, François Hollande. "We need to reduce the amount of nuclear power in our electricity generation. [If I am elected], I will strive towards achieving, by 2025, a reduction in nuclear from 75% to 50%," said this supreme office candidate.

Indeed, it is little, compared to other countries that have decided to forgo nuclear in the near future. Plain and simple. As Germany has done; as Belgium wishes to do so. But for one country, France, where nuclear produces more than 78% of electricity, this is a huge step. And even more so due to the policies that have been in place for the last forty years. For Francois Hollande, therefore, rather than debate the relinquishment of nuclear by 2040 or 2050, it is better to make a "firm, clear-cut commitment for the coming fifteen years."

"It's a common sense proposal," says Thierry Lepercq, President of Solairedirect, a company involved in development and financing for solar plants. No one is disputing the importance for France of implementing a more balanced and safe energy mix." And especially since the Fukushima disaster. This hypothesis of a reduction in nuclear has up until now been ideological, for the most part – but has now also become economic.

Continuing along the nuclear path may prove costly. Very costly. Even more. There is of course the inevitable cost of dismantling plants – "extremely expensive", according to Edwin Koot, the CEO of Solarplaza. But above all, there are the billions which will need to be invested in order to upgrade the rest, not to mention sector employees who will be reaching retirement, and the training of new experts... All this in an area renewable energy costs are constantly diminishing. So, why not simply stop the expenses? Say, as of today: "Ciao, nuclear!"

According to the negaWatt experts, it would indeed be possible to totally forgo nuclear in France. And this as of 2033, please. Engineers in the sector have described this energy outlook in a well-crafted script. The guiding principle? A trilogy of "sobriety-efficiency-renewable energy". During this "energy transition," the economies in petrol imports generated by the scenario would mean savings of more than 750 billion by 2050 and the creation of 600,000 jobs by 2020.

"The goal can only be achieved through a combination of energy efficiency and replacing other energies with renewable energy," states Thierry Lepercq, who notes the "very interesting perspective opened up by this scenario with what has become known as 'Power-to-Gas', the large-scale storage of intermittent renewable electricity (solar and wind) in the form of hydrogen-based synthetic methane derived from water electrolysis." This is the photovoltaic industry's trump card – where "Goodbye nuclear" resonates with "Hello, solar energy." According to negaWatt, by 2050, 91% of France's electricity will come from renewable energy – there's how a single number can light up the future of photovoltaics.

For Thierry Lepercq, this is a certainty: the prospect of nuclear power reduction contributes more towards the development of PV than all the subsidies granted to the sector. "In addition to energy efficiency efforts, the simple fact of reducing nuclear from 75% to 50% would mean that in the future approximately 150 TWh more would have to be produced using alternative energy sources," he says."This is significant!" In his opinion, given the current serious financial situation in France, there is no way this transition will be made using energy subsidies. So there is only significant room for solar if it is competitive, "which is practically the case at the present time."

The expert goes even further, stating: "Most of this 150 TWh will only be obtainable from solar." Why?"Well, because it is the only energy that can provide the volumes and costs, whilst at the same time being socially accepted and environmentally necessary!" In this regard, it will of course be necessary to address the issue of network intermittency and stability, "which is technically and economically more than feasible."

That may be so. But at the end of the day, what is the point in investing when Chinese competition comes along and crushes it all? What's the point in struggling, when we know that, by the end of the year, 85% of PV cells manufactured worldwide are expected to be manufactured in Asia, according to a study by the firm IMS Research? "We must be careful not to fight the wrong battle," believes Thierry Lepercq. "France will only prosper if it develops a differentiated and competitive technological and industrial offer, in cooperation with the top global players – including the Chinese – in each sector."

He makes a comparison with flat screens. "They are already all being manufactured in Asia, and no one's complaining!" Edwin Koot of Solarplaza echoes this view. "Let's let the Chinese make their cells. It will be cheaper. The jobs lie in engineering and integrated products. Moreover, services are local. The installers for the French market are located in France, not China. Furthermore, the Chinese are taking out huge loans, and as such need ever increasing capital." "The real industrial challenge is that of building offers for systems, intelligent solutions and services, with high value-added," adds Thierry Lepercq. So, to all the French players in the solar photovoltaic industry – it's your call!

Where does PV stand in the French electricity offer? Join us on 10 November in Lyon for a major conference

The different scenarios for the French energy mix and their impact on the photovoltaic market are high on the agenda of the solar energy conference to be held in Lyon on 10 November 2011, at the initiative of Solarplaza. http://www.thesolarfuture.fr/

The plenary session scheduled for 4:15 p.m. will address the subject: Where does the photovoltaic industry stand in the French electricity offer? The conference will be attended by industry experts, politicians and high-level experts, for an innovative and interactive discussion.

The 2012 Presidential Elections In France: Photovoltaic Industry Forms Major Challenge

With Eva Joly warning that she will not be part of a government which does not have clear ecological commitments from the PS; with the Minister of Ecology, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, labeling François Hollande's ecology "outdated"; with the government boasting in the media about the results of the Grenelle Environment four years after its implementation... There is no doubt that sustainable development will be one of the themes of the 2012 presidential election, if not one of the major issues.

For Arnaud Gossement, a lawyer specializing in environment and energy law, there are two major reasons for the resurgence of energy at the heart of political debate. Firstly, purchasing power and the rise in energy prices which remains of increasing concern to the French. Then, two recent events: the nuclear accident which occurred at the plant in Fukushima, and the protests against shale gas production. "These two cases concern energies of the past, " states Arnaud Gossement. "The challenge for our present-day policies is to talk about the future - and indeed our present - namely renewable energy and the savings that can be made as a result. "

Another major challenge, according to this expert, is one for sustainable development players: that of convincing the candidates for the supreme office that renewable energy will be tomorrow's economy. "If France does not position itself in the market very quickly, " warns Arnaud Gossement, "it will quickly be overtaken by other countries which have already made this choice - notably Germany. " In this regard, Enerplan, the solar energy trade association, hopes to convince the campaign teams that the photovoltaic industry is capable of creating 100,000 jobs in France between now and 2020. "Either we invest in 2012 and we obtain an industry worthy of this name, or we continue with an ambitionless policy, as is the case today - and in that case, we will see a trade deficit of 1.5 billion euros in 2020, " resumes Richard Loyen, Managing Director of Enerplan.

With the major solar energy players meeting this weekend in Paris, their proposals will be notably at the heart of the international conference on the future of solar taking place in Lyon on 10 November, at the initiative of Solarplaza.

This key event will be attended by industry experts: professionals from the sector, state officials, project developers, financial experts... These experts will present their visions for the evolution of the French market, and will share their experiences and knowledge in the field of solar energy in France.

Information and registration on the conference website:
www.thesolarfuture.fr

The positive energy building, one of the photovoltaic industry's saviors

Rotterdam / Lyon – As of 2020, all new buildings will be positive energy buildings. This represents a fantastic opportunity for the photovoltaic industry players.

"The positive energy building is the global future." Jean-Louis Estèves, CEO of TCE Solar, can barely contain his enthusiasm. For him, there is no doubt: the positive energy building, a building that produces more electricity than it consumes, is one of the saviors of the photovoltaic industry. The Grenelle has declared, on the basis of the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings: As of 2020, in France, all new buildings will be positive energy buildings. This obligation will enter into force for local authorities as of 2018.

And where there is positive energy, there is electricity generation, and therefore integrated solar photovoltaics. According to Jean-Louis Estèves, all of the players in this industry have their part to play. "The green building requires mastery of little-known technologies," he explains. "There is still much progress to be made with regard to, firstly, solutions for integrated production of solar photovoltaic electricity. The industry must address this topic: improving what already exists, and inventing what does not yet exist." In his opinion, it will then be possible to export this specific "French-style" know-how worldwide for decades to come. Not to mention all the buildings that will require renovation and rehabilitation! "It's a challenge which we could look at as saving the planet," says Jean-Louis Estèves.

The topic of positive energy buildings will be at the heart of the International Conference in Lyon on 10 November, organized by Solarplaza, an independent organization specializing in solar photovoltaic energy. This major event will be attended by renowned industry experts: professionals in this sector, state officials, project developers, financial experts... These experts will present their outlook for the French market and share their experiences and knowledge in the field of solar energy in France. A not-to-be-missed day: http://www.thesolarfuture.fr/