If we're trying to judge solar panel efficiency we should probably know what "efficiency" means?
Module efficiency refers to the ratio of output power to input power.
In other words: How much electricity can a solar panel produce from a certain amount of sunlight.
So if a solar panel creates a hundred watts of power from a thousand watts of sunlight, it has an efficiency of 10%.
Solar panel efficiency can be a tricky issue. Different companies claim to have the most efficient panel and they're not lying, they are just making their judgments on different criteria.
The two main category separations for "most efficient" are:
1.Lab results vs. commercially available product
2.Flat-panel vs. crystalline silicon panel
We can say generally that solar panel efficiency ranges from about 6% to over 20%. That's quite a range isn't it? But there is a good reason for it and it involves the flat-panel vs. crystalline silicon panel issue.
In the 6% efficiency range we have the products of companies like Uni-Solar and Kaneka. As you may have guessed, these companies produce thin-film solar products and not the traditional solar panels we're used to.
Why would anyone buy these less efficient panels? Well, the main reason is that they're cheaper. So if you look at it from the "how much electricity do I get for my money" point of view, thin-film technology is competitive with traditional solar panels.
Also, thin-film technology is actually more efficient than traditional solar panels in cloudy conditions and on hot days. Depending on your climate, this could be a big plus.
The average efficiency for crystalline silicon ("traditional") solar panels is in the 11%-13% range. So how have some panels achieved 20% efficiency? They've combined thin-film technology with crystalline silicon technology.
Sanyo is the leader in this "bifacial" module market. Sanyo's "HIT Double" line uses crystalline silicon for the majority of the module's power output. Thin-film technology is then used on the back of the panel to capture ambient light reflected off surrounding surfaces.
This bifacial idea may be a perfect solution if you have limited space and are looking to maximize power output.
Also, SunPower has just announced that they have developed a 333 Watt solar panel with a 20.4% total area efficiency. Unfortunately it will still be a while before it's available commercially.
The important thing to remember is that unless you have a pressing reason to go with high-efficiency panels (e.g. limited space), you should be more concerned with how many watts of power you're getting for your Euro.
Investing in the future of energy is in all our long-term interests but, for those with foresight, the monetary returns could occur sooner than you think.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Solas Power to close deal on 6MW in Italy
Solas Power has entered into inital negotiations with a large EPC contractor to purchase 6MW which are to be installed at 2010 Conto Engeria FIT.
Solas Power secures a further 7MW
Solas Power has secured a further 7MW of Roof Top Projects in Germany. These proejcts will benefit from the Quarter 2, 2011 FIT. These will be built over the next 12 months and will have a capital expenditure cost exceeding €17,500,000.
Project I004 - Update
I004 is a 183.6kWp project located in Germany and is now at an advanced stage. Having completed all roof repairs, and module mountings it is awaiting Modules.
New Project Acquired for Solas Power Investors - I012
Solas Power has acquired a 350kWp project as part of its portfolio.
Comparing a Solar kWh with a nuclear kWh is not pertinent
Rotterdam/Marseille, November 3rd 2010 – Will solar energy be one day cheaper than nuclear energy? In the state of North Carolina, in the U.S., this is already a reality, based on a study published this summer (1). According to the authors of this report, two researchers at Duke University, the cost of solar energy is currently competing with nuclear energy, cancelling out public financial subsidies.
Will solar power one day replace nuclear power in France?
“This is certainly not the right question to ask, ” warns Arnaud Mine, chairman of Soler, the photovoltaic branch of the Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables (Syndicate of Renewable Energies). “Rationally speaking, we cannot compare the costs of these two types of energy one against the other, because they don’t represent the same thing. ” When we quote the price of a kWh produced by a nuclear power station, we don’t take in account the cost of its delivery to the user, the home or the company. Nor does it comprise the cost of the power station’s disassembly, or the cost of waste management and storage, etc. “A solar kWh does not include all these supplementary costs, ” emphasizes Arnaud Mine, “since it is produced in proximity to the consumer ”.
The specialist also notes that whereas a nuclear kWh produces approximately the same energy all year round, this is not the case of the solar kWh. The latter is produced mostly during the summer and during daytime, which actually corresponds very well to the consumption profile of the south of France in particular, and of the building market where it is quickly becoming a competitor.
In Arnaud Mine’s view, we must compare the solar kWh to the kWh of the final retail price once the photovoltaic generators are installed in the buildings. And as far as this plan goes, Mine has no doubt whatsoever: “the solar kWh will become absolutely pertinent in the next five years, ” he estimates. “With the optimization of output, the release of new technologies, the drop in prices, and the volunteer approach of the manufacturers, the consumer price of a solar kWh should get down to 15 cents at that point”. Today, the buying price is around 35 to 37 cents. Eventually, if we’re to trust the specialist, photovoltaic energy will be technologically significant and should become an undeniable solution for building. This includes France, where the market is dominated by nuclear energy. The future of solar energy will be the theme of the conference organized by Solarplaza on the 9th of the coming month of November, in Marseille.
Website: http://www.thesolarfuture.fr/
(1) Solar and Nuclear Costs - The Historic Crossover : Solar Energy is Now the Better Buy; a study carried out by John O. Blackburn and Sam Cunningham - Duke University of North Carolina, with the participation of the non-government organization NC WARN (Waste Awareness & Reduction Network).
Source: www.solarplaza.com
Greg Barker outlines proposals to protect green electricity scheme
UK FIT reduction good news for German SolarProposals to reduce the financial support available to larger scale solar-produced electricity have been published by the Government today as part of plans to protect financial support for homes, communities and small businesses. The consultation follows the launch in February of a fast-track review into how the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) work for solar photovoltaic (PV) over 50 kW after evidence showing that there could already be 169 MW of large scale solar capacity in the planning system - equivalent to funding solar panels on the roofs of around 50,000 homes if tariffs are left unchanged.
Such projects could potentially soak up the subsidy that would otherwise go to smaller renewable schemes or other technologies such as wind, hydro and anaerobic digestion.
Projections at the start of the scheme had shown no large scale solar under the FITs was expected until at least 2013.
Today’s consultation also covers proposals to provide added support to farm-scale anaerobic digestion given the disappointing uptake of such technologies to date.
Greg Barker, Climate Change Minister said:
“Our cash for green electricity scheme is a great way to reward homes, communities and small businesses that produce their own renewable power.
“I’m committed to an ambitious roll out of microgeneration technologies as part of the Coalition’s green vision of a much more decentralised energy economy.
“I want to make sure that we capture the benefits of fast falling costs in solar technology to allow even more homes to benefit from feed in tariffs, rather than see that money go in bumper profits to a small number of big investors.
“These proposals aim to rebalance the scheme and put a stop to the threat of larger-scale solar soaking up the cash. The FITs scheme was never designed to be a profit generator for big business and financiers.
“Britain’s solar industry is a vital part of our renewables future and our growing green economy. The new tariff rates we’re putting forward today for consultation will provide a level of support for all solar PV and ensure a sustained growth path for industry.
“Taking a pro-active approach to changing tariffs will allow us to avoid the boom-and-bust approach we have seen in other countries and enable us to support more homes and community schemes, and a wider range of technologies such as wind, hydro and anaerobic digestion.”
As solar PV technology has developed, its costs have reduced, and are now believed to be around 30% lower than originally projected. This means the technology does not need as much support to be competitive.
The Government is therefore proposing reducing the support for all new PV installations larger than microgeneration size (50kW) and stand alone installations. The new proposed rates are:
* 19p/kWh for 50kW to 150kW
* 15p/kWh for 150kW to 250kW
* 8.5p/kWh for 250kW to 5MW and stand-alone installations
These compare with the tariffs that would otherwise apply from 1 April of:
* 32.9p/kWh for 10kw to 100kw
* 30.7/kWh for 100kw to 5MW and stand-alone installations
Such changes are in line with amendments made to similar schemes in Europe where in Germany, France and Spain tariffs for PV have been reduced sharply over the past year.
Alongside the fast-track review of solar, a short study has also been undertaken into the lack of uptake of FITs for farm-scale anaerobic digestion. The study suggests that the tariff for this technology is not high enough to make such schemes worthwhile. The proposed new tariffs are:
* 14p/kWh for AD installations with a total installed capacity of up to 250 kW
* 13p/kWh for AD installations with a total installed capacity of between 250 kW and 500 kW
These compare with the tariffs that would otherwise apply from 1 April of 12.1p/kWh for AD up to 500 kW.
Government policy is specifically to deliver an increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion, not to promote energy crops, particularly where these are grown to the exclusion of food producing crops. DECC is talking to Defra and others about the best way to implement controls to make sure this does not happen.
The Government will not act retrospectively and any changes to generation tariffs implemented as a result of the review will only affect new entrants into the FITs scheme. Installations which are already accredited for FITs will not be affected. Solar PV installations less than 50kW are not affected by this fast track review.
These changes are proposed to be implemented in advance of the comprehensive review of FITs, which is currently underway and will look at all aspects of the scheme.
Such projects could potentially soak up the subsidy that would otherwise go to smaller renewable schemes or other technologies such as wind, hydro and anaerobic digestion.
Projections at the start of the scheme had shown no large scale solar under the FITs was expected until at least 2013.
Today’s consultation also covers proposals to provide added support to farm-scale anaerobic digestion given the disappointing uptake of such technologies to date.
Greg Barker, Climate Change Minister said:
“Our cash for green electricity scheme is a great way to reward homes, communities and small businesses that produce their own renewable power.
“I’m committed to an ambitious roll out of microgeneration technologies as part of the Coalition’s green vision of a much more decentralised energy economy.
“I want to make sure that we capture the benefits of fast falling costs in solar technology to allow even more homes to benefit from feed in tariffs, rather than see that money go in bumper profits to a small number of big investors.
“These proposals aim to rebalance the scheme and put a stop to the threat of larger-scale solar soaking up the cash. The FITs scheme was never designed to be a profit generator for big business and financiers.
“Britain’s solar industry is a vital part of our renewables future and our growing green economy. The new tariff rates we’re putting forward today for consultation will provide a level of support for all solar PV and ensure a sustained growth path for industry.
“Taking a pro-active approach to changing tariffs will allow us to avoid the boom-and-bust approach we have seen in other countries and enable us to support more homes and community schemes, and a wider range of technologies such as wind, hydro and anaerobic digestion.”
As solar PV technology has developed, its costs have reduced, and are now believed to be around 30% lower than originally projected. This means the technology does not need as much support to be competitive.
The Government is therefore proposing reducing the support for all new PV installations larger than microgeneration size (50kW) and stand alone installations. The new proposed rates are:
* 19p/kWh for 50kW to 150kW
* 15p/kWh for 150kW to 250kW
* 8.5p/kWh for 250kW to 5MW and stand-alone installations
These compare with the tariffs that would otherwise apply from 1 April of:
* 32.9p/kWh for 10kw to 100kw
* 30.7/kWh for 100kw to 5MW and stand-alone installations
Such changes are in line with amendments made to similar schemes in Europe where in Germany, France and Spain tariffs for PV have been reduced sharply over the past year.
Alongside the fast-track review of solar, a short study has also been undertaken into the lack of uptake of FITs for farm-scale anaerobic digestion. The study suggests that the tariff for this technology is not high enough to make such schemes worthwhile. The proposed new tariffs are:
* 14p/kWh for AD installations with a total installed capacity of up to 250 kW
* 13p/kWh for AD installations with a total installed capacity of between 250 kW and 500 kW
These compare with the tariffs that would otherwise apply from 1 April of 12.1p/kWh for AD up to 500 kW.
Government policy is specifically to deliver an increase in energy from waste through anaerobic digestion, not to promote energy crops, particularly where these are grown to the exclusion of food producing crops. DECC is talking to Defra and others about the best way to implement controls to make sure this does not happen.
The Government will not act retrospectively and any changes to generation tariffs implemented as a result of the review will only affect new entrants into the FITs scheme. Installations which are already accredited for FITs will not be affected. Solar PV installations less than 50kW are not affected by this fast track review.
These changes are proposed to be implemented in advance of the comprehensive review of FITs, which is currently underway and will look at all aspects of the scheme.
Testing of New Technology
Solas Power is currently testing new technology which will revolutionise the Solar industry. This technology will result in a 10% increase in output of your Solar plant. We are currently carrying tests on this system and once completed will be implementing this on all of our plants.
The testing involves two identical sites with the same solar modules, inverters and orientation. The new technology is then incorporated into site one for 1 week and then the modules are swapped over and the test carried out again.
We will keep you updated as these tests progress.
Solas Power I008 Project - Update
Project I008 - Under-construction on Roof 1 now complete, We are now awaiting completion of roof repair on Roof 2 of I008.
Photos of roof construction on Project I008 as of the 13th January 2011
Project I008 Roof preparation on 13th January 2011
Solas Power Project I010 in Final stages of Construction
Solas Power are pleased to announce that one of our German projects is nearing completion as Modules are fitted.
Japan's ill wind may blow positives for German Solar
Solas Power has noted that the nuclear power plant crisis unfolding in Japan after the massive earthquake has already caused political fallout in Germany and could usher in a new era of renewable energy in Europe's largest economy.
On Tuesday Germany became the first European country to shut nuclear plants in the wake of the crisis in Japan. The move by the German government to temporarily close seven older plants came just one day after Chancellor Angela Merkel had imposed a three-month moratorium on the extension of the country’s 17 nuclear power stations.
During this time, experts will carry out new security checks at all reactors and, equally important, policymakers in Berlin will debate whether or not to permanently reverse a policy that could have allowed energy companies to extend the operating lives of their reactors for 12 years.
Last year, Merkel’s center-right coalition took the controversial step of prolonging the lives of nuclear power stations in a move that the chancellor said would secure the supply of affordable electricity while the country converts to renewable energy sources. That decision reversed an earlier ruling taken by the previous center-left government in 2002 to phase out all nuclear plants by 2021.
Other European governments have been scrambling to step up efforts to assess nuclear safety as well. Switzerland, for instance, has imposed a moratorium on three plants while Finland announced plans to the safety of its nuclear reactors. Along its coastlines, the Nordic country operates seven boiling water reactors of the type affected in Japan.
As European countries and others around the world rethink their nuclear power strategies, traders are shifting their money into renewable energy, solar in particular. German solar panel company, Solarworld AG, is among the biggest beneficiaries; the company has seen its stock soared more than 30 percent since the government announced its decision to shut down seven plants and reassess its long-term nuclear power strategy.
Renewable energy interest groups in Germany are seizing the opportunity to promote alternative energy sources.
"If the federal government is really serious about an accelerated development of renewable energy, it must permanently withdraw the lifetime extension of nuclear power plants and not just for three months," said Dietmar Schutz, president of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE). "The extension is not a bridge, but a serious obstacle to the necessary restructuring of our energy system."
Currently, nuclear energy accounts for 23 percent of German energy and renewable energies 16 percent. Schutz said that renewable energies would be able to cover 47 percent of German energy demand by 2020.
Solar energy is developing rapidly in Germany, thanks largely to its favorable feed-in tariffs. Solar capacity is now around 17 GW, with 7 GW added last year alone.
In cloudy Germany, however, the government sees the greatest potential in wind power. At the end of 2009, the country had 21,164 wind power stations with a capacity of 25.7 GW. By 2025, wind power is expected to account for 25 percent of electricity generation. About 40 off-shore wind farms are planned along the country’s northern coastlines with a capacity of 25 GW.
But Germany will have to invest in new grids that can not only transport energy from the new wind parks but are also capable of handling fluctuating levels of wind and solar energy and of managing energy generated by many small facilities spread across the country.
That will cost money and that could be an issue in a country where energy prices have been going nowhere but up. The Japanese nuclear disaster, however, has heightened fears of the technology and strengthened an anti-nuclear lobby and the opposition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Green Party ahead of upcoming regional elections. Numerous anti-nuclear rallies have taken place across the country.
Germans, who have been closely following the ongoing nuclear catastrophe in Japan, may now be willing to pay more for energy they view as safer and more environmentally friendly.
Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/03/german-solar-energy-may-get-a-boost-from-japans-nuclear-disaster?cmpid=SolarNL-Tuesday-March22-2011
On Tuesday Germany became the first European country to shut nuclear plants in the wake of the crisis in Japan. The move by the German government to temporarily close seven older plants came just one day after Chancellor Angela Merkel had imposed a three-month moratorium on the extension of the country’s 17 nuclear power stations.
During this time, experts will carry out new security checks at all reactors and, equally important, policymakers in Berlin will debate whether or not to permanently reverse a policy that could have allowed energy companies to extend the operating lives of their reactors for 12 years.
Last year, Merkel’s center-right coalition took the controversial step of prolonging the lives of nuclear power stations in a move that the chancellor said would secure the supply of affordable electricity while the country converts to renewable energy sources. That decision reversed an earlier ruling taken by the previous center-left government in 2002 to phase out all nuclear plants by 2021.
Other European governments have been scrambling to step up efforts to assess nuclear safety as well. Switzerland, for instance, has imposed a moratorium on three plants while Finland announced plans to the safety of its nuclear reactors. Along its coastlines, the Nordic country operates seven boiling water reactors of the type affected in Japan.
As European countries and others around the world rethink their nuclear power strategies, traders are shifting their money into renewable energy, solar in particular. German solar panel company, Solarworld AG, is among the biggest beneficiaries; the company has seen its stock soared more than 30 percent since the government announced its decision to shut down seven plants and reassess its long-term nuclear power strategy.
Renewable energy interest groups in Germany are seizing the opportunity to promote alternative energy sources.
"If the federal government is really serious about an accelerated development of renewable energy, it must permanently withdraw the lifetime extension of nuclear power plants and not just for three months," said Dietmar Schutz, president of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE). "The extension is not a bridge, but a serious obstacle to the necessary restructuring of our energy system."
Currently, nuclear energy accounts for 23 percent of German energy and renewable energies 16 percent. Schutz said that renewable energies would be able to cover 47 percent of German energy demand by 2020.
Solar energy is developing rapidly in Germany, thanks largely to its favorable feed-in tariffs. Solar capacity is now around 17 GW, with 7 GW added last year alone.
In cloudy Germany, however, the government sees the greatest potential in wind power. At the end of 2009, the country had 21,164 wind power stations with a capacity of 25.7 GW. By 2025, wind power is expected to account for 25 percent of electricity generation. About 40 off-shore wind farms are planned along the country’s northern coastlines with a capacity of 25 GW.
But Germany will have to invest in new grids that can not only transport energy from the new wind parks but are also capable of handling fluctuating levels of wind and solar energy and of managing energy generated by many small facilities spread across the country.
That will cost money and that could be an issue in a country where energy prices have been going nowhere but up. The Japanese nuclear disaster, however, has heightened fears of the technology and strengthened an anti-nuclear lobby and the opposition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Green Party ahead of upcoming regional elections. Numerous anti-nuclear rallies have taken place across the country.
Germans, who have been closely following the ongoing nuclear catastrophe in Japan, may now be willing to pay more for energy they view as safer and more environmentally friendly.
Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/03/german-solar-energy-may-get-a-boost-from-japans-nuclear-disaster?cmpid=SolarNL-Tuesday-March22-2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Australia-German partnership for cheaper solar power generation
Australia-German partnership for cheaper solar power generation
THE AUSTRALIAN Solar Institute is entering into a research and development partnership with a German organisation to improve solar power capabilities.
The R&D MoU was signed by Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr.
The European partner is Deutches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), and the partnership will develop concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies.
Australian researchers will be able to investigate cost and efficiency improvements in CSP. The organisations expect the R&D effort to increase efficiency and lower the costs of producing energy from the sun, with the technology possibly becoming commercialised later.
The ASI and DLR have already agreed a number of priority activities for immediate commencement, including high temperature CSP modelling and high temperature receiver performance and analysis.
Australia’s CSIRO will initially lead the scoping of Australia’s involvement in these areas, with the ASI seeking to broaden Australia’s involvement in the near future.
Previously, the ASI signed an MoU with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, which focuses on solar photovoltaic technologies. It is also developing the US-Australia Solar Research Collaboration announced in late 2010.
Concentrated solar power technology uses mirrors to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. Electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is converted to heat to drive a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator.
The R&D MoU was signed by Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr.
The European partner is Deutches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), and the partnership will develop concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies.
Australian researchers will be able to investigate cost and efficiency improvements in CSP. The organisations expect the R&D effort to increase efficiency and lower the costs of producing energy from the sun, with the technology possibly becoming commercialised later.
The ASI and DLR have already agreed a number of priority activities for immediate commencement, including high temperature CSP modelling and high temperature receiver performance and analysis.
Australia’s CSIRO will initially lead the scoping of Australia’s involvement in these areas, with the ASI seeking to broaden Australia’s involvement in the near future.
Previously, the ASI signed an MoU with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, which focuses on solar photovoltaic technologies. It is also developing the US-Australia Solar Research Collaboration announced in late 2010.
Concentrated solar power technology uses mirrors to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. Electrical power is produced when the concentrated light is converted to heat to drive a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator.
Czech Solar Tax sent to Supreme Court
On March 3, 2011 a group of 22 Czech senators filed a complaint to the Supreme Court against a new Czech PV law, which introduced a 26% tax on solar energy production. The senators are concerned about the impact of solar arbitrages against the Czech Republic in the near future.
The solar tax imposed by the Czech Government basically means a decrease of the current FiT that was supposed to be guaranteed to investors for 20 years by the Government. The proceeds from the taxes are to be used to reduce the increase in household and industrial electricity prices over the next three years.
The Czech Photovoltaic Industrial Association (CZEPHO) and a group of PV investors have taken great pains during the past 2 months to lobby in the Senate against the solar tax. They managed to obtain a special legal appraisal proving that the solar tax constituted a considerable violation of the Czech Constitution.
Good Outlook
The Supreme Court of the Czech Republic will have to assess the senators´ complaint against the solar tax. This process is likely to take several months. However, the odds are high that the Supreme Court will reject the solar tax legislation on the grounds that it substantially interferes with the legitimate expectations of solar power plant operators in the Czech Republic as well as with other provisions of the Czech Constitution.
Considerable Losses
Investors in solar power are likely to lose over several million euros before the solar tax is cancelled. Based on the available estimates, the incurred losses of the investors amounted to well over 10 million euros in the period from January to February 2011 - and this is why investors will continue their litigations and arbitrations against the Government of the Czech Republic.
New Legislative Battle
It seems that the battle against the solar tax will be successful. However, representatives of the Czech PV industry are concerned about new “solar legislation” they will have to cope with. The reason for this is that Czech officials have been working hard on new “solar legislation” which may affect solar investments in the country in the near future.
The Czech Photovoltaic Industrial Association (CZEPHO) and a group of PV investors have taken great pains during the past 2 months to lobby in the Senate against the solar tax. They managed to obtain a special legal appraisal proving that the solar tax constituted a considerable violation of the Czech Constitution.
Good Outlook
The Supreme Court of the Czech Republic will have to assess the senators´ complaint against the solar tax. This process is likely to take several months. However, the odds are high that the Supreme Court will reject the solar tax legislation on the grounds that it substantially interferes with the legitimate expectations of solar power plant operators in the Czech Republic as well as with other provisions of the Czech Constitution.
Considerable Losses
Investors in solar power are likely to lose over several million euros before the solar tax is cancelled. Based on the available estimates, the incurred losses of the investors amounted to well over 10 million euros in the period from January to February 2011 - and this is why investors will continue their litigations and arbitrations against the Government of the Czech Republic.
New Legislative Battle
It seems that the battle against the solar tax will be successful. However, representatives of the Czech PV industry are concerned about new “solar legislation” they will have to cope with. The reason for this is that Czech officials have been working hard on new “solar legislation” which may affect solar investments in the country in the near future.
Source Solar Plaza http://www.solarplaza.com/article/czech-pv-termination-of-czech-solar-tax
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Germany shuts Nuclear Plants amid safety fears
Solas Power has learned from The Irish Times www.irishtimes.com that German CHANCELLOR ANGELA Merkel has announced a three-month shutdown of Germany’s oldest nuclear reactors pending a security review.
The explosions in the Japanese nuclear power plant, triggered by last week’s earthquake, have prompted 100,000 Germans to take to the street in protest at Dr Merkel’s government support for the nuclear energy sector.
After taking office, Dr Merkel’s administration set aside a proposal to make Germany nuclear-free by 2020, extending the life of ageing nuclear plants into the mid-2030s.
Dr Merkel reacted yesterday to the growing pressure with a temporary moratorium, during which she has called for a discussion about safety standards and Germany’s continued lack of a storage facility for nuclear waste.
“We are launching a safety review of all nuclear reactors . . . and all reactors in operation since the end of 1980 are to be idled a three-month moratorium,” said Dr Merkel.
“This moratorium will run until June 15th, after which we will know how to proceed.”
Energy companies criticised the move as “rash and expensive”, while the political opposition suggested it was a stunt ahead of state elections this month.
The seven reactors to be shut down have all been operational since before 1980; two are in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg where Dr Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) are fighting for re-election on March 27th.
“This is election trickery,” said Sigmar Gabriel, head of the opposition Social Democrats (SPD), saying Dr Merkel would return after the election “and say that everything is okay and that German nuclear plants are safe”.
Dr Merkel’s government reversed the SPD-Green Party nuclear shutdown in 2009, claiming the renewable energy sector could not yet fill the quarter of Germany’s energy needs currently generated by its 17 nuclear energy plants.
The government denied the move marked a nuclear energy renaissance in Germany, pointing out that it would permit no new nuclear energy plants to be built and that it viewed atomic energy as a “bridging technology” until the renewables sector had matured.
The 2009 reversal met with little widespread protests, but the Japanese disaster has reawakened fears of the Chernobyl and Three-Mile Island incidents in Germany.
On Saturday, anti-nuclear protesters formed a 45km human chain from a nuclear plant to Stuttgart.
Recent polls show that 60 per cent of Germans want to shutter all 17 nuclear plants in the country, with 70 per cent fearful that a Japanese-style disaster could happen in Germany.
Japan Nuclear fears raise Solar stocks
Solas Power has seen a sharp rise in support for Solar Power as markets have called solar power the second best thing in clean energy. Solar power stocks have soared since concerns about a nuclear meltdown in one of Japan’s nuclear power plants have sent investors running to alternative clean energy companies.
The market move indicates that investors in clean energy prefer nuclear power as a first option over solar power. That’s because solar power, which uses flat photovoltaic panels that absorb sunlight and convert it to electricity, is still in infancy. Typical wafer-style solar panels can capture around 30 percent of the sunlight shining on them and convert it into electricity. Flexible, thin-film photovoltaic cells that can be placed on most surfaces can only capture anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of the sunlight shining on them.
Nuclear power produces energy by generating controlled nuclear reactions that produce tremendous amounts of heat. That heats up water, which produces steam that spins a turbine. The turbine produces electricity. Nuclear power is considered cleaner than fossil fuel burning power plants, which use natural gas, petroleum and coal. Burning all of those produces greenhouse gasses.
But a critical nuclear reactor nearly experienced a meltdown after an 9.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the northeastern part of Japan last week. Plant officials were able to halt the nuclear reaction by withdrawing the fuel rods that power the reactor, but residual reactions and heat were still causing problems as of Monday. Investors are basically betting that the media frenzy that has taken off as a result of the snafu will generate some additional buzz for solar power, another form of clean energy that has no negative byproducts.
The United States solar power industry seems to be doing well and is on track to have a good year. It’s attracting investment from companies that want to buy up demand. Chinese player LDK Solar, for example, picked up a $33 million majority stake in Solar Power, Inc. There are a number of solar power companies that have already gone public. The U.S. solar power industry also grew 67 percent to $6 billion in 2010, up from $3.8 billion in 2009, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Shares of FirstSolar, which produces thin-film flexible photovoltaic cells, were up more than 4.5 percent in midday trading. Shares of Suntech Power, a Chinese solar panel manufacturer, were up 3.4 percent in midday trading. Other solar panel companies, like SunPower and LDK Solar, were all up more than 1 percent
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