Sandra Enkhardt
Four more Chinese solar manufacturers withdraw from minimum price agreement
Jetion Solar, Hareon Solar and GCL Technology requested to withdraw from the minimum price agreement in October. The three companies, as well as Talesun Solar, are now excluded by Brussels from the undertaking.
“We should work all together for the future of energy”
Interview: SolarPower Europe has appointed Wacker Chemie’s Christian Westermeier as new president. pv magazine spoke with the outgoing president Oliver Schäfer about the reasons behind his unexpected resignation and the future of PV and the energy market in Europe.
Switzerland installed 250 MW of new PV systems in 2016
According to estimates from national association Swissolar, about 250 MW of new PV installations were connected to Switzerland’s grid last year.
Eon reports record €16 billion loss for 2016
The German energy company said its new strategy is fully reflected in its balance sheet. This was accompanied by the largest loss ever registered by the group. Eon is now planning workforce reductions, as well as further measures to reduce its net liabilities to €20 billion in the mid-term.
Vattenfall uses BMW car batteries for storage projects at winds farms
German car maker BMW will provide Vattenfall with 1,000 lithium-ion car batteries. Vattenfall will use the batteries, which are also used for the vehicle BMW i3, for storage projects at wind farms.
Over 50,000 solar storage systems are now installed in Germany
The increase in new installations was mainly due to a 40% drop in prices over the past three years. German solar association Bundesverbands Solarwirtschaft expects their number will double to 100,000 in 2018.
Belectric installs 15.9 MWh storage system in eastern Germany
The German EPC contractor is currently installing the largest battery storage system in Saxony, eastern Germany. The battery is expected to come online in the second quarter of this year.
Manz expects to return to profitability this year
Large orders for the solar segment are expected to enable the company to return to profit in 2016. Last year, Manz was able to slightly increase its revenue, although it is still struggling with losses.
Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE to open testing facility for power electronics & grid integration tech
At the facility, the German scientists will test devices for power electronics and grid technologies in the multi-megawatt range.
Extension of EU duties on Chinese solar products is now official
On Friday, the EU published in its Official Journal the 18-month extension of antidumping and anti-subsidy duties on Chinese solar products, including notification of a partial interim review of the measures. The review could lead to the gradual reduction of duties and minimum import prices. The EU will also consider if the Minimum Price Undertaking agreement is still of relevance.
