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JinkoSolar leads global solar PV module market
GLOBAL
CHINA’S JinkoSolar Holding led the global solar PV module market in 2019, shipping 14.2GW of solar PV modules, way ahead of second-placed JA Solar with 10.3GW.
The world’s top 10 manufacturers, led mainly by the Asia-Pacific region, delivered 80.3GW in 2019, according to a report from GlobalData.
Thisis37%morethanthe63GWshippedby the top 10 in 2018. GlobalData predicted that the top 10 would remain constant in 2019, and that these companies would account for 75% of shipments in 2020.
The global solar PV market is experiencing higher demand, continuous cost reduction, software and technology development and improvement in module efficiency, the report commented.
Crucially, the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) fell as solar system efficiency and performance improved and the use of data analytics became
more sophisticated.
JA Solar’s performance represented a 17%
increase on 2018, driven by expansion into emerging markets in the Middle East.
Trina Solar and LONGi Solar occupied the third and fourth place with shipments of 9.7 GW and 9 GW respectively.
CanadianSolarcamefifthwith8.5GW,while Hanwha Q CELLS was sixth with 7.3GW, Risen Energy was in seventh place with 7 GW, and First Solar was eighth with 5.5GW.
The report concluded that Chinese manufac- turers would continue to dominate as the over- all leader in solar installations in 2020 as newer markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East emerged as centres.
On the other hand, China, the US, Europe and India will still remain the major markets for the solar module suppliers, although their growth will be slower.™
POLICY
Ghana’s ECG to use AI to tackle theft
The Electricity Company of Ghana is making moves to acquire AI tools that will be used to fight power theft. Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia made the announcement at the launch of a mobile application for ECG customers.
The official said the measure will help overcome major challenges including the difficulties in collecting payment for power supply that leads to power theft.
“The issue of solving the collection problem at ECG is a major part of solving the energy issue in Ghana. I have been talking
to the Board Chairman and the MD and
they are thinking about applying technology, artificial intelligence and remote sensors
in the collection process. I know that they
are piloting the system now and by the
grace of God if all goes well, we will have implemented, a new system starting this year, whereby nobody will be able to steal electricity in Ghana again,” Dr. Bawumia said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
The application unveiled by ECG, called “ECG Power,” was designed by the power utility’s technical staff. According to the President of the Republic, it will enable more than half of the company’s 3.8mn customers to make payments for electricity and telephone services. The company estimates that this figure is expected to increase by the end of the year when the old meters will be replaced by smart meters.
TARIFFS
Nigeria faces 35% tariff rise
Nigerians would soon be faced with a 35% rise in electricity tariffs, officials said on February 25, as regulators seek to reposition a sector that has been moribund for decades.
Officials at Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said an upward review
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Week 08 27•February•2020