Opinion & analysis
PV module deliveries suggest a more assertive solar industry in 2013; and a return to profit for some
While the last couple of years have been hard on the solar industry, photovoltaic module deliveries in the first two months of the year suggest a more assertive solar industry in 2013, writes SolarPVInvestor’s Robert Dydo. He further explores the presence of Chinese PV companies in the U.S. and Japan; discusses why Suntech is not a blueprint for all Chinese PV manufacturers; and looks at which companies could achieve profitability in 2013.
Anti-dumping debates forget validity of initial allegations
In reviewing the current discussions relating to the pending EU decision on anti-dumping and countervailing duties related to Chinese c-Si products imported to EU member states, it is often possible to lose track of what the initial charges were and what validity, if any, these have.
PV trade actions: Simply another means of protecting domestic supply?
With the continued growth of trade disputes being reviewed today, the impact on PV industry players (both in the upstream and downstream channels) is expanding to more regions. This comes at a time when potential markets for solar materials/components continue to fluctuate quarter-by-quarter from a PV demand perspective.
Scope, not timing, remains the key issue in EU-China PV trade war
While much of the focus is on the timing issues of the Europe/China anti-dumping investigations, it is the scope of any such actions that remains the key uncertainty for the industry as a whole, writes Finlay Colville, vice president, NPD Solarbuzz.
PV: Europe holds the upside wildcard, but trade war impact should not be underestimated
Europe’s leading PV role is rapidly being fulfilled by Asia, writes NPD Solarbuzz senior analyst, Michael Barker. Despite this, there are opportunities for Europe to rebound strongly, if positive policy is developed. However, he cautions that the impact of the trade wars cannot be underestimated.
Global PV module deliveries from China grew 42% in January
China’s domestic market is not the only photovoltaic area expected to boom in 2013. Based on monthly analysis from the Solarzoom Data Research Centre, January saw global photovoltaic module deliveries increase by 42% over December.
Shell endorsing PV’s credentials? Sadly not.
Oil giant Shell has been making headlines with the release of its latest attempts to gaze into the crystal ball and predict the world’s energy mix for the decades ahead. Counter-intuitively, one of the two New Lens Scenarios’ compiled by the oil giant predicts that solar power will, eventually, become the world’s dominant source of energy, supplying almost 40% of electricity by 2060. Odd that, given the company’s decision to turn its back on renewables in 2009.