Installations

SkyPower Group has applied to launch a judicial review against the Ontario Minister of Energy and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), in light of proposed photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FITs) changes. It is further seeking to claim damages worth CA$100 million.

The Brazilian solar market has yet to get off the ground, and many of the existing photovoltaic installations are off-grid. However, according to ANEEL, there has been a recent “explosion” of interest in the country, with rooftop systems offering cheaper electricity prices than the grid. Nevertheless, based on existing support, the IEA is more skeptical about growth.

According to IMS Research, between five and seven GW worth of photovoltaics will be installed in China in 2012. It forecasts that over four GW will be added in the second half of the year alone.

Following months of speculation over when Italy’s next renewable energy law will come into play, it has now been confirmed that the country’s €6 billion photovoltaic feed-in tariff (FIT) funding limit was reached yesterday, July 12, meaning the Conto Energia V must come into force on August 27.

Ukraine has cut its photovoltaic feed-in tariffs by up to 27 percent. It has further adopted a new law, under which private households may sell solar electricity to the grid. Meanwhile, the country’s renewable energy targets have been increased and the local content requirements laid out.

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.

Satcon Technology Corporation, A123 Systems, Renewable Energy Services, and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) have been awarded US$2 million by the California Energy Commission to work on the development of storage technologies that will help reduce renewable energy power intermittency.

Parabel AG has begun work on its next large-scale photovoltaic project in Germany. In addition to installing 50 MW by this September, the company is aiming to add a further 80 MW over the next two years.

8minutenergy Renewables has signed a Generation Interconnection Agreement (GIA) with the California Independent Systems Operator Corporation (ISO) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Under the agreement, a 200 MW photovoltaic project will be installed in Imperial Valley.

Adding yet more capacity to its Ukrainian photovoltaic portfolio, Activ Solar has completed the second and final phase of its 42.95 MW plant in the Odessa region.