Sandra Enkhardt
Insolvent SolarMax finds possible buyer
Swiss PV association Swissolar has reported that a company from a German-speaking country is planning an asset deal for the core businesses of insolvent Sputnik Engineering AG, also known a Solarmax. Swiss insolvency authorities have declined to confirm the report until a contract is finalized.
Dutch authorities investigating possible PV module import violations
An importer in the Netherlands is suspected of shipping re-labled solar modules from China to Europe via Malaysia and Taiwan. According to Dutch press reports, modules from 22 different manufacturers are being held in several European ports as part of a wider investigation.
Turkey: construction to begin on first licensed PV projects
Turkish administrators have finally approved the construction of two photovoltaic power plants. The licenses have now been issued and work on the solar plants is set to begin. Contracts for a further 580 MW of photovoltaic capacity are still in limbo.
Bosch Power Tec shutters inverter, storage plants in Germany
The company plans to bundle production and development of inverters and storage systems at its headquarters in Baden-Württemberg after closing facilities in Hamburg and Hessen.
Aleo Solar up and running in Germany
Following its acquisition by Taiwanese group Sunrise Global Energy, production at the former Bosch-owned Aleo Solar in Prenzlau, Germany, has begun again. The PV manufacturer is now producing its high-efficiency 300 W modules at the 120 MW capacity fab, where 190 employees have retained their jobs.
Acquisition of SAG Solarstrom: Not a bad deal for Shunfeng
Interview: Goetz Fischbeck, CEO of Smart Solar Consulting, sees the recently announced acquisition of insolvent SAG Solarstrom AG by Shunfeng Photovoltaics as a win-win for both parties. Shunfeng in particular benefits from the German PV company’s expertise in project planning and implementation, while SAG Solarstrom’s creditors can expect a high insolvency dividend and the staff can look forward to retaining their jobs.
Germany launches renewable energy installation register
Operators of wind turbines and biomass facilities will have to register their systems with the Federal Network Agency, which already keeps track of PV plants in order to determine solar subsidy degression rates based on the number of installations.
In detail: EEG draft changes
The government parties have come to an agreement on the EEG reform. The policy makes everything more complicated.
Photon Publishing commences bankruptcy proceedings
The development comes two weeks after the onset of preliminary insolvency proceedings against parent company Photon Holding, over a tax bill. The publishing arm had emerged from the bankruptcy of predecessor Photon Europe 18 months ago.
Photon Holding files for insolvency
The publishing company based in Aachen, Germany, whose assets include industry magazines Photon International and the German Photon Das Solarstrom-Magazin, is insolvent.
