TURKEY SETS MINIMUM IMPORT PRICE OF USD 60 PER KILOGRAM FOR PV CELLS

Various news websites have reported that the Turkish government has introduced new regulations concerning imports of PV products. Among them, the most notable one is the calculation of the custom duty for PV cells. Specifically, the rate is now calculated by weight (kilogram) instead of area size (square meter), as it had been under the previous regulatory regime. Furthermore, the minimum price for imported PV cells has been set at USD 60 per kilogram. Imported cells that priced lower than this threshold will be subject to custom duty. The new regulations will be in effect within 30 days after their publication. According to industry analysts, these protectionist measures could reduce the market share of imported cells in Turkey. While prices of the imported cells are currently higher than the threshold, they could dip below it in the future because prices are expected to fall across the main sections of the PV industry chain due to shifts in supply-demand dynamics.

Furthermore, the Turkish government could adjust the thresh dustry analysts have also noted that in the case of a PV module, much of its weight comes from its frame, backsheet, and glass covering. Even assuming that the mini mum import price only target cells, quotes from cell sup pliers in China appear to be lower than this level. Therefore, the new regulations will have some positive effects on Turkish manufac turers for PV products. Also, it is worth noting that the Turkish government has been calculat ing the custom duty on PV modules by kilogram since 2020. Currently, there are two Turkish companies are involved in the production of PV cells. They are Kaylon Solar Technologies headquartered in Ankara and Smart Solar Technologies headquartered in Izmir. The Turkish government gave TRY 7.62 billion to Kaylon Solar and TRY 3.7 billion to Smart Solar for setting up their respective production sites. Kaylon Solar is building a verti cally integrated manufacturing base with a production capacity of 2GW per year. Smart Solar is also building a plant with a production capacity of 2GW per year.

Source: energytrend

WATTCARBON RAISES $4.5 MILLION TO LAUNCH A NET ZERO 24/7 CARBON FREE ENERGY MARKET

WattCarbon, an energy decarbonization company, announced that it has raised a $4.5 million seed round led by True Ventures to launch the world’s first Net Zero 24/7 Carbon Free Energy Market. WattCarbon’s Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) allow energy consumers to offset their energy use on a time and locational basis from renewable energy projects, demand response dispatch, and electrification projects sourced from their own communities, turning local buildings into decarbonization assets.

WattCarbon’s marketplace features clean energy supply from companies that are able to deliver carbon reductions through electrification, demand response, and renewable energy production. Participating suppliers in the WattCarbon market include renewable energy developers like Pivot Energy, demand response aggregators like Leap Energy, energy retailers like Branch Energy, and electrification companies like Elephant Energy. Net zero energy buyers can select from renewable energy, demand response and energy efficiency, as well as electrification projects to match their grid consumption on a 24/7 basis. Additionally, they can choose options that meet Scope 1 and Scope 3 emission reduction goals. WattCarbon measures and verifies every project to ensure the carbon emissions reductions are actually occurring.

Companies and cities are racing to achieve authentic net zero commitments, said WattCarbon CEO McGee Young. “We are excited to launch a service that actually makes net zero energy immediately possible for any organization. Virtual Power Plants that offset grid consumption with equal amounts of clean energy production or reductions in other buildings on a 24/7 basis are the only way we’ll come close to achieving emissions reduction goals by 2040.”

Companies and individuals are increasingly looking for ways to do more to reduce their carbon footprints and transition to clean energy,” said Priscilla Tyler, vice president at True Ventures. “WattCarbon provides an innovative way for them to quickly and confidently make a tangible impact on the environment.”

In addition to True Ventures, existing investors Village Global, Jetstream, Not Boring Capital, Keiki Capital, Rick Stratton, and Chris Vargas were joined by Greensoil PropTech Ventures, Nexus Labs, and Andrew Karsh in filling out the round.