US: PV installers emerge as "favorable" investment area
Solar M&A activity in the U.S. has tailed off this year compared to 2011, according to the latest figures. Despite this, photovoltaic project installers have reportedly emerged as a favorable investment area. Furthermore, energy storage M&A activity is said to have enjoyed strong growth.
Mid-year PV review
After several years of hustling and hyperbole in the photovoltaics industry, the first half of 2012 has been a time of oversupply and underachievement globally. pv magazine takes a look at the biggest developments of the year to date. Overhang, crystalline, storage and fracking are just some of the watchwords.
Intersolar NA: US market growth despite difficulties
The Intersolar North America tradeshow and conference ended today with a mixed outlook for photovoltaics, and talk of an industry shakeout prominent in discussions.
Solar Millenniums Flagsol stake sold to Ferrostaal
Solar Millennium AGs insolvency administrator has sold the companys 74.9 percent stake in Flagsol GmbH to Ferrostaal GmbH.
SunEdison sells off 98 MW worth of European PV projects
MEMC Electronic Materials subsidiary, SunEdison has sold around 98 MWp worth of photovoltaic plants in Europe in the second quarter of 2012.
Italys ministers sign Conto Energia V
On Friday, July 6, Italys ministers signed the new Conto Energia (renewable energy act). It is believed that only an extra 700 million will be made available for photovoltaics. Final security will not be available until the law has been published, however.
Interview: PV certification in China and quality standards
As the global solar industry develops, increased corporate transparency becomes a necessity on the back of growing consumer understanding and local market regulations. Subsequently, the services required by test laboratories and certification bodies have undergone a boom in recent times. Speaking to pv magazine, Ulrike Therhaag, director Solar/ Fuel cell Technology at TÜV Rheinland Shanghai discusses the current situation in China.
Germany: First Solar to pay 5 million funding back
First Solar Inc. will have to pay over 5 million back to Germanys Brandenburg, following the announcement that it will stop manufacturing operations in Frankfurt (Oder) at the end of the year.
Work reaches halfway point on worlds largest solar bridge
Solarcentury has reached the halfway point in its installation work on the Blackfriars rail bridge in London, the U.K. When complete, the installation is expected to be the largest of its kind in the capital and the worlds longest solar bridge.
Japan: Final report declares Fukushima a "man-made disaster"
The final report submitted by the parliamentary panel on the Fukushima nuclear disaster last year has declared the catastrophe a “man-made disaster”. It states that the meltdown “could and should have been forseen and prevented”.
