It’s too soon to predict a bright future for solar power [News]

By Tilak K. Doshi, For The Straits Times, 14 Sep 2011.

Renewable energy technologies have been receiving much attention in policy circles and the mass media.

High fossil-fuel prices and concerns over global climate change have motivated interest among policymakers and ordinary citizens.

Proponents of renewable energy advocate government support for non-fossil- fuel-based electricity generation.

Won over by promises of energy security and the creation of ‘green’ jobs, many governments have legislated subsidies or other forms of policy support such as feed-in-tariffs (FITs) to compensate producers of renewable energy with guaranteed higher rates. Read more

Asia’s Largest Solar Power Plant in South Korea

Conergy Korea announced yesterday an agreement for the extension of Asia’s largest solar power plant (currently 19.6 MWp) in SinAn, South Korea, to 24 MWp. The completed 24 MWp solar power plant will cover an area of 720,000 m2 (about 96 soccer fields) and produce 33,000 MWh annually. This energy is sufficient to supply 7,200 households with clean energy annually and will help South Korea reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 24,000 tons a year. Read more