off-grid renewables se asia

Household solar systems have taken hold in Laos, but PV deployment on a grand-scale is being held back by a focus on hydropower, according to delegates at the Solar & Off-Grid Renewables Southeast Asia Event, in Bangkok.

Solar PV manufacturers have been flooding into Malaysia, but its domestic solar deployment remains relatively modest. PV Tech caught up with Catherine Ridu, chief executive officer of the Malaysia Sustainable Development Authority (SEDA), to discuss the newly-launched net metering programme and what other policies could encourage solar deployment, as well as how to leverage the manufacturing boom for domestic solar gains.

The Thai Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) has announced new solar development plans for 2017, which open up several opportunities for foreign investors to participate.

Solar PV is taking off in Vietnam with many international and domestic investors showing intention to develop projects in the central and south of the country, according to Hoa Vu Phuong, specialist, international relations department, Institute of Energy, Vietnam.

A provision in the Philippines giving medium-scale electricity consumers the ability to choose between retail electricity suppliers other than the local utility has had a major boost after a Supreme Court issuance in its favour.

Phoenix Solar joins Singapore-based floating PV testers, GIPCL issues LoIs to Vikram Solar over 80MW in Gujarat, Brazil solar industry needs BRL6 billion after December auction, Altus Power starts 6.2MW solar plant construction in Hawaii,

Nuclear reactors approaching end-of-life, a sound PV manufacturing industry and a robust legal system all make a strong case for solar PV to muscle into Taiwan’s energy mix. Last year, a new government set a target of 20GW solar by 2025, but the industry must deal with scarce land availability and the threat of typhoons. PV Tech examines some of the huge numbers being proposed and what it will take to realise them.

State-owned PV manufacturer HT-SAAE is pursuing the government’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ industrial strategy as it looks to diversify the geographic spread of its end customers.

‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JinkoSolar plans to build a 40MW solar PV plant in Vietnam, a company spokesperson has confirmed.

A Singapore university is running the world’s largest testing centre for floating solar PV systems looking at economic and technical feasibility.